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The doctor closed his eyes for a second. “That’s not—”
I put my arm out. “Tully, help me up.”
Tully laughed and came straight over. “How about we lower the bed first and get you sitting up with your feet on the floor? See how you feel?”
I nodded. “Perfect.”
My ribs twinged, but it helped if I kept my arm tucked against my side. But I managed to sit up with my feet on the floor.
Tully kept his hand on my shoulder. “How does that feel?”
I glanced at the monitors to see if they’d betray me. Thankfully they didn’t. “Feels good.”
The doctor sighed and gave my dad a smile. “There’s no greater motivator than the wordhome.” Then he looked at me. “How about we get your catheter out?”
Having a catheter removed wasn’t a great deal of fun, but being free of it was a big relief.
One step closer to going home.
I sat on the edge of the bed again, my feet on the floor, and Tully and my nurse held onto me while I stood up.
My dad stood there, looking all kinds of helpless, but he smiled when I did.
I managed a few small steps but I couldn’t stand for long, and while the idea of going home sounded like heaven, I knew realistically another night at least in hospital was probably a good idea.
I was so unbelievably tired.
That small amount of exertion had taken a lot out of me, and my nurse kept a close eye on every machine I was hooked up to. By the time I’d been moved to a normal ward, I could barely keep my eyes open.
I was still attached to one heart monitor, but nothing else.
One step closer to going home.
Tully put his hand to my cheek. “Jem, you need some sleep,” he said gently.
Given he’d done and said this in front of my father, I should have been embarrassed. The old me would have been horrified, and my dad looked as if he’d witnessed something incredibly private.
But all I could do was smile. I held Tully’s hand to my face and sighed. “I am tired.”
“Then we’ll go,” Tully said. “And we’ll be back bright and early tomorrow, and we’ll practice more walking. As much as I want you to come home, we’re not gonna rush it. However long it takes, okay?”
I nodded, exhausted. “Okay.”
He kissed my temple. “Love you.”
Again, in front of my father.
“Love you too,” I said, fighting to keep my eyes open. “Love you too, Dad.”
First time in my life I’d ever said those words.
I wanted so much to see his face, but my eyes betrayed me. After a long beat of silence, his warm hand squeezed my arm. “Sleep well, son.”
I was so happy, even in my almost-asleep state.
Then Tully’s voice, fading as they walked away, said, “So I need to explain something before we get to my place. I have a brother, Ellis...”
* * *
