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“Jeez, Doc. I’m not gonna fall,” Amanda insisted.
Maybe he was being too cautious, so he just said, “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”
Amanda navigated the short stairs without issue. She handed him her keychain full of color-coded keys.
“The blue one,” Amanda said. “Blue door, blue key. And hurry before Loki barks and wakes up Miss Lydia. He’s a sweet dog but can be too exuberant. Beware.”
Sure enough, they could hear some shuffling behind the door and an impatient whimper. Gene quickly unlocked and let Amanda enter first.
A medium-size black and white dog jumped up to bring its front paws on Amanda with a woof. Gene kept a steady arm around her back to brace herself from the dog’s greeting.
“Hello, baby,” Amanda cooed at her dog, who was obviously happy to see her.
“His name is Loki?” Gene watched the owner-dog interaction. “After the Norse god of mischief?”
“The comic book version,” Amanda explained with a smile. She gestured for the dog to sit and he obeyed immediately. “I adopted him a couple of years ago after a family re-homed him for being too playful around their kids. I think he’s just misunderstood like Loki is.”
Gene noted this interesting part of Amanda with a grin. From the way she dressed in a flowery dress, he’d never guessed she read comic books. He offered his hand to Loki to sniff, then gave the dog a scratch behind the ear.
Amanda flipped a light switch and two more lamps came on, casting warm light into her living area. Gene suddenly felt cozy despite the chill in the night air. Colors seemed to pop from everywhere. Not bright, blinding colors, but warm, soothing ones.
There were artfully arranged dried plants and flowers in whimsical looking vases gracing some surfaces. There was also a large live plant with huge wide leaves by a window and flower-shaped origami strung on fishing lines hung from the ceiling. A colorful knitted blanket adorned the forest green sofa set. There was a lot to take in.
“I’m gonna let Loki out in the backyard to do his business.”
She kept moving, making him move with her since he was holding her arm.
“I can do that. Just let me help you to bed first.” Gene asked. “Do you have pain relievers? Acetaminophen? Tylenol?”
“Yes, in the bathroom.”
Gene dropped his duffel bag by Amanda’s bedroom door. This room was as warm as the outer room, though she kept the color selection more subdued with a combination of green and cream. Gene wondered why he noticed the details of Amanda’s home.
Maybe because my apartment is basic as fuck.
It was a place to crash after a long shift. He didn’t think he owned even one vase. There was one fake plant, but he was pretty sure the leasing agent left it there when he’d signed the lease. He had stuff in there, like kitchen stuff, good linen, and comfortable furniture. They were functional, not necessarily homey.
“Bathroom.” She pointed to a door. “I need a shower to get all this blood off my hair.”
“Maybe a bath is easier,” Gene suggested as he sat her down on the closed toilet. “It’ll help you relax your muscles and calm your mind.”
Gene pulled open the shower curtain and started the bath.
“Do you have any bath bubbles or salt I can put in? It’s not important, but if you have Epsom salt—”
“Are you drawing me a bath?” Amanda sounded incredulous.
“It’s safer for you than a shower right now,” Gene said. “Soap? Salt?”
“Under the sink.”
Gene found both the salt and bubbles, so he put both in. They smelled like lavender.
Perfect.
Once done with that, he straightened up.
“Can you manage getting in and out? Or do you need help?”
