Page 7 of Guarding Glenda

“No problem. Enjoy your night.”

Heading down the hall, I walked into the spare room that we’d turned into Glenda’s recovery area.

Her eyes opened at the sound, but she only looked at me briefly before looking away. Her dirty blonde hair wasn’t as full and wavy as normal but fanned behind her on the pillow as she sat semi-upright.

I pulled the tray up from the side of the bed with one hand, then put the bags on it and started pulling items out. “I wasn’t sure how bad your throat was. Sam said you should have whatever you want and can keep down.”

She finally glanced down at the tray holding the chicken nuggets, fries, tomato soup, grilled cheese, and cheesecake.

“I can’t eat all of that.”

I shrugged. “I know. Eat what you want and I’ll take the rest.”

“Thanks.”

She tried to adjust in the bed but was struggling, so I hit the button to prop her up more, then grabbed a pillow from below it. “I’m gonna shove this behind you.”

My hand met her back and she flinched, but I pressed her up enough to put the pillow between her and the bed.

“I don’t suppose I have any clothes here?” she asked as she grabbed a nugget and took a tiny bite.

“No, but Linny said she’d bring some tomorrow. I have a t-shirt and some sweats with a drawstring if you want.”

She put the nugget down and tried to reach her water. I grabbed it and handed it to her.

She took a few sips and said, “I don’t think I can eat the nuggets.”

“That’s alright. You want a shirt?”

She nodded as she pulled the soup closer and looked around.

I looked in the bag and the spoon was in the bottom. “Here. I’ll go grab something for you to put on. Be right back.”

She was petite but curvy; my clothes would be long on her, but parts of her would fill them out. Bruce heard me and came padding down the hall.

“Not bedtime yet, buddy. Just getting something for her to wear.”

Bruce moaned but waited by the door.

“Sofie wore you out, huh?”

After digging out some cotton pants with drawstrings and a t-shirt, I went back to find her still working on the soup. Bruce followed me inside.

I put the clothes on the foot of the bed. “I’ll help you after you eat.”

“Is my phone here?” she asked between bites.

“No. Sorry. I’ll ask Bama if they can bring it.”

I had pulled out my phone to text him when she said, “And my car?”

“Your car’s at Bama’s.”

“I need it.”

“No, you don’t,” I told her as I sent the text about her phone. I also asked if they knew where the keys to her car were, but clarified she didn’t need it for now.

“Once I can walk, I do. I’m not staying here forever.”