Page 4 of Guarding Glenda

Chapter 3

Glenda

After Sofie cuddled with me for a few minutes, I was beat. Sam returned and kept asking me questions and poking at me.

“Can you stop?” I asked, my tone less sharp since Sofie was still sitting with me.

Sam sighed. “Can you stand?”

Linny grabbed Sofie. “Here, sweet girl. Hop down so we can help her up.”

My head was heavy and holding Sofie was a chore. “I’m not sure I can really sit up.”

Sam motioned to Bama. “Go on that side, please. Glenda, can you grab my hands and help pull yourself up?”

Sam held his hands out, so I reached up and grabbed them both. It took all the effort I could muster, but with his help, I pulled myself to sitting. Bama had his hands on my back, just enough to keep me upright, but it was mostly Sam holding me up.

“Can you swing your legs over?” Sam asked.

The muscles in my abdomen strained. Sam let go of one hand and helped move the catheter as I moved my legs to the side. Bama helped guide me sideways.

“Shit,” I said. “I’m winded.” I wasn’t sure I could manage being on my feet. Everything hurt.

“I got you, okay?” Sam pushed a button and the bed lowered some. “I’m gonna slide you off, but don’t let go.” He held his hands back out so I put my hands in his, bracing myself for what happened when my feet hit the floor.

As soon as the balls of my feet hit the carpet, my knees buckled and I started to stumble.

Sam was in front of me. My arms scrambled for purchase on him, but more hands were grabbing me from behind. Looking down, I mumbled, “Get your hands off me.”

“I don’t know if you’re talking to him or me, and I kept you from face planting, so I’ll just keep my hands in place,” Leigh said.

“Help her back to bed,” Sam told him.

“You’re hurting me,” I said as Leigh lifted me.

“No worse than you already are,” he said as he got me back to the bed.

I batted his hand away once I was settled.

“You’ve been out a while. Your body is weak. Leigh, she’ll need plenty of fluids, food, and she’ll need to do some exercises.” Sam grabbed my hand so I looked up at him while I caught my breath. “You’re gonna have to let him help you.”

“I wanna go to the clubhouse.”

Sam squeezed my hand. “We can’t keep moving this equipment around, Glenda. Plus, you need to rest and recuperate. You won’t do that at the clubhouse.”

“I’m not an idiot. I can take it easy just as good there as here. Better there, actually.”

Bama cleared his throat. Linny shoved him but didn’t say anything.

“Miss Glenda, have you met Bruce? He can help take care of you,” Sofie said.

“I know Brucie. He’s a good boy, but I don’t think a doggie can help me.”

Sofie’s big blue eyes sparkled. “Yes he can. And he can keep you company.”

“Like I said, we can’t move all this again. And you can’t go far without assistance. For now, you need to hang tight,” Sam said. “How’s the pain level?”

Everything was sore, but I’d had worse. “I’m alright.”