Endless Love

A Visit From Jake

(Elphaba's POV)

I haven't left Glinda's room in who knows how long. Not even to eat. I have shut myself in the cabin because I know now that I am not welcome by anyone but Bessie, Glinda and Old Jake. I had believed at one point Lady Upland had be okay with me, but now I am not so sure.

I don't know how long it has been since Glinda was taken from me. I don't even know what day it is, and quite frankly I don't care anymore. "I don't care anymore!" I yell pulling a blanket over myself. Yes you do Elphaba. I think to myself. You do care because you love Glinda. "I can't have her though!"

Suddenly there is a knock at the door, and I sit up startled. Another know. I slowly get up and slowly leave the bedroom and make my way to the door. There's a third knock, and open the door cautiously, and smile a little. "Jake!" I step aside and open the door a little further. "Please come in."

"Hello Elphie." He says entering the cabin leaning on his cane. "I thought I would come and say hello, but more importantly," Jake turns to me after he sets the basket down on the table, "I wanted to see how you are doing?"

I shrug. "I'm... I'm not sure. I guess I am doing okay." That's a complete lie. I am not doing good at all! He sighs. "Elphie, I know you aren't doing well. I can tell." I hang my head and refuse to make eye contact. "You are pale, you much thinner than before, and the place looks well un kept. When did you last eat?"

"I ate the day Glinda was taken from me." I mumble under my breath, and he strains to hear. "What did you say?" I sigh and look up meeting his gaze only for a moment. "I last ate the day Glinda was taken from me." I say only a little louder.

"You haven't eaten since then!?" He says surprised and perhaps more than a little upset. "Jake, I haven't been hungry." I lie to him, because I didn't want to tell him that I hadn't eaten because I just can't. Not knowing that I will be eating alone, without my Glinda. "Elphaba, you need to eat, and I am sure Glinda would not be happy to know that you haven't been taking care of yourself."

"What does it matter if? It isn't like I am ever going to see her again!" I snap at him.

"It matters, Elphaba, because she loves you! She wouldn't want you to be living like this. She would want you to try and be happy and have a normal life." Jake says putting his hand on my shoulder. "Glinda, wouldn't want you to just give up."

"I'm not giving up!" I argue. "I haven't been hungry and I am not sure what I am going to do! I can't have a normal life, Jake! In case you have forgotten I'm supposed to be dead, adn even if I wasn't I wouldn't be welcome!" Jake sighs and his look softens. "I can't tell you what to do when I leave, but what I can tell you to do is to go clean yourself up while I make you something to eat."

"But Jake, I-"

"Elphaba! I will not sit here and argue. Go get cleaned up and I will fix you some supper." He says firmly. I sigh realizing I am not going to win this one, and go to my room.

I look in the mirror and see just how terrible I look, and sigh. Jake is right. You do need to clean up and get something to eat. I head to the bathroom where I attempt to run a brush through my hair, but give it up after a few minutes because I just don't care. I do however, use some of my oils and at least wash my face and hands. After I return to the kitchen.

Jake looks up from a the pan it stirring and gives me a small smile. "Well, you look a bit better." I roll my eyes. "Don't lie Jake."

"I'm not." He says taking a bowl and dishing out some of what he had been cooking. "You do look a little better. Not great, but a little better. Now here eat up." He sets the bowl down in front of me. "I hope oatmeal is okay. I am afraid I don't have the time to make you anything more than that."

"Thank you, Jake. Oatmeal is fine." I say giving him a small smile, and my stomach grumbles. I begin to blush embarrassed a little. "I guess, I am more hungry than I thought." Jake laughs a little. "Apparently! Now you eat up."

I begin to eat the oatmeal and find that I am a lot more hungry than I thought. Jake is quiet for a bit watching me, and after a few bite I set the spoon down. "Jake?"

"Yes?"

"How is Glinda?" He sighs. "I am afraid I can't tell ya."

"Why is that?" I asks a little irritated. "Is it because you can't tell me because you have been ordered not to tell me?" Jake shakes his. "No not at all. It's because I haven't seen here. She hasn't been around."

"What do you mean?" I say alarmed. "Did something happen to her?"

"No, it isn't that." He says reassuringly. "She has been busy. Her father has had her accompany him on all his negotiations."

"Oh..." I say quietly.

After a few more minutes I have finished eating and Jake stands up. "Well, Elphie, I'm afraid I must be going before people begin to wonder where I have gone." I stand and walk with him to the door, and he turns to me. "Take care of yourself, and I'll try and come visit again soon." I nod and before he can turn to leave I lunge at him hugging him tightly. He returns the hug and after a moment I let him go. "I... I'm sorry." I whisper. "I have just been so lonely and.. .and I-"\

"It's okay Elphie." He says giving me a smile, and I return the smile. "Please tell Glinda I love her and miss her when you see her again." He nods. "I will. Have a good night."

"You too, Jake." I say as he turns and heads into the dark. I close the door and feel a little happier. After a moment I go and finish eating the rest of the oatmeal. When I am finished I go back to the Glinda's old room and curl up in the blankets on the bed and drift off to sleep feeling a little better than I had before.