Page 19 of Words Unspoken

“You know you have taken the strong, silent type to a whole new level.”

He rolled his eyes.

Elle giggled. “I think you are going to be just fine.”

Her comment sobered him. It was never going to be fine. Not really. But he appreciated her faith in him.

“Hey,” she reached out and took his hand. “All of us are here for you. Whatever you need.”

He nodded again and gave her hand a squeeze. At this rate he was going to need a chiropractor for all the nodding and shaking his head that he was doing. Perhaps he could cock his head to the side once in a while to even things out.

“Mine!” Evan said loudly and Kelly held the pills away at arm’s length.

“I know they look like candy but trust me, you do not want them,” Kelly laughed. She passed the squirmy boy to Elle. “Mr. Ramesly, here is your medication. Hopefully we can get that headache down to a one or none.”

Ann stirred and they all froze. She stretched and reality intruded, telling her that she was not alone in the bed. She opened her eyes, blushing when she saw Michael.

“Good morning sleepyhead,” Elle said brightly.

Ann sat up, her blush deepening when she saw Elle and Kelly. She pushed her hair back behind her ears and tried to straighten her wrinkled blouse.

“I brought you a bag. The key is in the side pocket,” Elle hefted the bag a moment. “I packed a few extra items just in case.”

“Thanks Elle,” murmured Ann.

“Why don’t you go freshen up?” Kelly said kindly. “Mr. Ramesly, if you will just take those pills, I can get myself back to work before my boss finds me loafing in here.”

Michael nodded and swallowed the pills obediently.

An embarrassed Ann grabbed the bag and went to the washroom. Within ten minutes she felt like a new woman. The nap had been good. The new clothes, makeup and brush were far better. Back to feeling composed, she went out to the room and was disappointed that Elle had left with the boys. Kelly was gone as well.

Michael gestured for her to join him again. Ann hesitated. “You cannot be very comfortable with me hogging half of the bed.”

He held out his hand patiently. She sat down on the chair. Michael tried to say something, but it was like the word had fled his mind. He swallowed the frustration and put out his hand again, his eyes pleading with her. Ann thought about refusing him but truthfully, she didn’t want to. She took his hand and then tucked herself beside him again. Perhaps she imagined it, but she thought he kissed the top of her head before settling himself.

She hoped he had. “Michael, I know it is going to be a little while before you are released from the hospital but what are you going to do when you go home? Someone is going to have to take care of all your appointments, look after your finances, run errands, and drive you where you need to go.”

He would no longer be able to use a company driver since he had resigned. Michael supposed he could hire a company or a cab when he needed one, yet it was not like he could just call and ask. He could not give directions or addresses. Michael frowned. He was not allowed to drive until cleared by the doctor. She was right about appointments as well. It was not like he could write them on the calendar. He gave a troubled sigh.

Ann continued, “I know that Noah and Max will help out as much as they can. However, I was thinking that it might be best if I stick around for a while. I have been organizing your life for years and I suppose I could do it for a few more weeks until you find a better solution.”

She was willing to stay. At least for a while. Michael had never felt so relieved.

“If that is okay with you?” Ann lifted her head to look at him.

Michael nodded. He was not going to turn this opportunity down.

“Then that is settled,” Ann laid her head back down and listened to his steady breathing.

∞

The next morning was not a good one.

“Watch out, he is a puker,” Kelly warned the physical therapist as she held onto one side of the belt they had strapped around his waist. Michael gave her an unamused look. He was not happy with the situation.

Finally, he had showered and been allowed to switch to the much more comfortable sweat clothes he brought from home. However, in the process it had meant standing, walking, sitting, bending and being upright. That was not so bad once the dizziness passed but the first few minutes had been horrible and yes, breakfast had ended up making a reappearance, something which Michael was not proud of.

Since then, his stomach was still a little nauseous but there was no danger of a repeat performance. Ann had been dismissed and told to go away for an hour or so and now two diminutive women had hold of this belt strapped at his waist and he was meant to walk the halls with the aid of a walker. He felt ridiculous. It was just a walk. Instead, it had turned into a circus. He ignored Kelly and the other woman is chatter about the handsome, in their opinion, construction guys working on the wing downstairs. They prattled on about all sorts of things, and since he was never going to repeat the hospital gossip, they asked if he would mind if they decided to chat it up about the new romance that seemed to be happening between one of the new interns and a nurse. He neither gave nor denied permission and so he learned, much against his will, that it was suspected the nurse was cheating on the intern with her ex. The evidence was flimsy at best. Michael kept walking, pushing the walker because they had insisted he have it, rather than that he needed it.