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I looked through the glass for Laura, wondering if she would join me.
She wasn’t in the bathroom.
I scrubbed myself clean, got the oil out of my hair, and shaved the beard clean off my face. The gauze around my body took up my entire torso, like a boa constrictor wrapping its coils around me.
When I returned to the bedroom, Laura was sitting at the dining table where a tray had been placed. The silver lids were on top of the food to keep everything warm. She didn’t look at me even though I was naked. Didn’t watch me pull on my boxers and sweatpants. “Get in bed.”
“I’ve been in bed for four days.”
“Well, I have a tray for you.”
I moved to the dining table and sat across from her. “I don’t eat in bed.”
“You need to rest—”
“I’m fine.” I pulled the tray toward me and removed the lid. No more hospital food—thank fuck.
She watched me eat, having nothing for herself.
“You aren’t hungry?”
She shook her head.
I ate in silence, her eyes barely on me. She was there for me, but it seemed like she didn’t want to be in the room.
When I finished, I stared at her.
Her mind seemed to be elsewhere because she didn’t notice my stare.
“I’m sorry about your father.”
“You already said that.” She looked at me, her eyes dead.
“Because I am sorry.” I’d wanted her to pick me over her father, but not in that scenario.
“I have no regrets, so don’t feel sorry.”
I studied her face, seeing a woman deeply disturbed.
“If you aren’t going to rest or accept my help…then I should go.”
Her hands moved to the armrests, and she prepared to rise from the chair.
“Sweetheart.”
She stilled at the tenderness in my voice.
“I’m done.”
Her features didn’t change at all. She either didn’t understand—or didn’t care.
“I’m ready to walk away from that life.”
Indifference was bright in her eyes. “I’m glad that you’re ready to move on. You deserve more out of life than crime and bloodshed.” She rose from the chair then came to me, like she might kiss me, but there was no passion in her eyes. She leaned down and kissed me on the cheek—and then walked out.
Days passed.
I spent time at home, slowly recovering, getting better every single day.
