When the doctor told Ben his name and how long he had been in a coma it broke him. He was now in his wife’s body. He kept going back to what they had said, that Lauren was in an accident, that she was left brain dead. That meant the love of his life was gone. But it was worse than that because every time he looked down at his hands, every time he looked in the mirror, every time he did anything, it would remind him of his loss. Worse still is that he was alone in his grief as only he knew she was gone.



The company Lauren worked for were the ones to bring him back. That meant that they purposely put his mind in Lauren’s body. It also meant that they were the ones who did this to them. He played back the last thing Lauren said, that the company sent her away to give Ben time with Laura. That meant they had been spying on them.



Was it Ben’s fault then? If he had just left the Doll alone, would’ve they left him and Lauren alone. He could understand why they would even put him in her body. It couldn’t have been an accident, how else would’ve they have gotten access to his mind? Which raised another question, what happened to him?



Ben was so lost in thought and grief he became catatonic to the world. Ignoring the doctors and nurses that came to check on him.



“Lauren, you have to eat…” a nurse was getting annoyed at him. “Then we can get you off these drips and get you into physical therapy.”



The comment reminded him that not only was he in Lauren’s body, it was a shell of her body. Being left in the coma on the chair, the only nutrients coming through a tube for the last year and a bit, had left Lauren’s body frail. It was only skin and bones, and it couldn’t even stand on its own. The recovery would take a long time. Ben wasn’t even sure he wanted to recover. If he was better off giving up.



“Okay ‘Ben’,” The nurse looked around to see if anyone else was in the room. “Let’s entertain the idea that’s who you are and the company you work for really did put Ben’s mind in your body.” Ben knew saying that was a terrible idea they just put it down to him being confused after the mind transfer and that it was normal. “Could you really let Lauren’s body waste away. What would she want you to do?”



Ben turned to face the nurse, hoping he was giving her one of the looks Lauren would give him whenever he angered her. He opened his mouth to let the nurse feed him. As angry as Ben was, he had to admit the nurse was right. If this had been his body and he lost Lauren, he probably could let himself waste away. Though because he was in her body, he couldn’t do that.



“It tastes terrible…” Ben complained as he almost spat it out.



“You said you liked peanut butter,” the nurse scolded, getting annoyed at Ben’s attitude.



“I do…” Ben paused as he realized he did but Lauren didn’t. She couldn’t even stand the smell of it.



The nurse tilted her head annoyed knowing where Ben’s thoughts were going. “Let me guess Ben’s the one who likes peanut butter. Lauren, we've been over this… if you don’t accept who you are, you end up in psychiatric.”



“Weren’t you the one who encouraged me just now?” Ben’s only other coping mechanism was to lash out at anyone around him and at the moment that was this poor nurse. “I don’t think the doctor would be happy with you calling me Ben.”



“You could,” the nurse acknowledged. “But then I wouldn’t be your nurse anymore and maybe I’m inclined to believe you.”



“No you don’t…” Ben glared back at the nurse.



The nurse smirked. “No I don’t. But I know that you still believe you are, which is a problem. One that I’m willing to overlook while you physically recover. The others might not.” The nurse took away the sandwich and grabbed something else off the tray. “How about you try this instead.”



Ben begrudgingly took the food. He once again had to admit that the nurse was right. That the post mind construction confusion could only go on for so long, then what would happen to him? Before he didn’t care but as the nurse said this was Lauren’s body and he was going to respect it from now on.



“Isn’t that better?” The nurse said as Ben ate the first tolerable food Lauren has had in over a year. Once she was satisfied with Ben’s compliance she grabbed the food tray and left. She wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.



Now Ben was alone again and would be for at least another hour before another nurse made their rounds. This time however he didn’t sink into depression as he found something to live for, even if that something was the memory of his wife. He wasn’t sure if he could pretend to be her though, but he figured it’d be a good time to start trying, if it kept him out of the psych ward.



“You look like you’re in a good mood today,” one of the younger nurses commented as she began her duties. “Oh good you ate,” she smiled as she read his chart. “We’ll get these off you in no time.” She began changing everything out. “You were still out of it last time, but it’s time for your bath, I hope you don’t mind.”



Ben blushed at the idea of being bathed, especially in his new body. He felt guilty to have this brief moment of curiosity. Though this would likely become a common thing going forward. Enjoying anything or having a moment of curiosity will be a constant reminder that he was in Lauren’s body and she was gone.



The nurse didn’t wait for permission as it was a necessity. She detached all the tubes, and took the bedding off. She even removed Ben’s gown. She then began to wipe Ben down with wet cloths. Ben didn’t have the energy to resist being moved around by the nurse and the experience was more uncomfortable than Ben was expecting.



Being bathed showed how frail he currently was. He wasn’t able to put up any resistance and as he was pulled around he could see just how skinny this body had become. There was little muscle and even less fat. Once the nurse was done, she carefully moved him to a nearby chair and gave him a new gown. She replaced all the linen on the bed before putting Ben back into the bed and reconnected everything.



“There we go, nice and clean for your visitor tomorrow,” the nurse said cheerfully.



“Visitor?” Ben couldn’t think of who would possibly visit him.



“Your husband is coming tomorrow,” the nurse gave Ben a smile before frowning. “Oops was that meant to be a surprise.”