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Nixon lets out a soft chuckle, “Then you must really be bored.”
“I am. That’s why I’ve been thinking…”
“No.”
“What do you mean no?” I narrow my eyes at Nixon. “I haven’t even finished.”
“You don’t have to finish. The doctor told you to take it easy. So take it easy. You talked to your professors, and they agreed you can hand in the assignments left by the end of the semester and show up for midterms and finals. Am I right?”
“Yeah, but…”
“So no buts. You don’t want to end up in the hospital again, do you?”
“I’m going to end up in the hospital one way or the other.”
Before she discharged me, Dr. Hendriks told me I should come in a week so she could look at my drain and incisions. If everything is going along nicely, she should be able to take the drain out, and I should continue with the recovery at home before my first dose of chemo, which is coming in less than a month.
One month, meaning just before Thanksgiving.
Happy holidays to me.
Not.
“But if you get some kind of infection, you won’t be able to start chemo on time. Please, Jade. Just let it be?”
How can I fight him when he’s being so rational? I can’t, that’s how.
“Fine,” I sigh. “Can you go home now? Your wife is waiting for you.”
“Yasmin knows where I am. She wanted to come…”
“Of course she did.”
Nixon ignores my interruption and continues as if I haven’t said anything: “...but I convinced her it’s better to give you some space.”
I give him a pointed look. “Now, if only you’d listen to your own advice.”
“Don’t be a smartass, Smalls. There is actually a reason why I’m here.”
“Oh, is there?”
Nixon ruffles my hair gently. As if I’m a porcelain doll that’ll shatter if he’s not careful.
“Always being a smartass,” he tsks, but the playfulness that was there only a moment ago slowly disappears. “I wanted to check if you need any help with anything. Drains?” his face turns serious. “Shower?”
My smile falls. “I’m all good. I emptied the drains earlier today, and I can’t take a shower until they’re out. Plus, even if I could, you’d be the last person I’d call. No offense.”
The last thing I needed was for Nixon to help me with the bathroom. He’s already treating me like I’m a helpless child. No, I’ll deal with the bathroom all on my own, no matter if it takes hours.
“You wound me, Smalls.”
“Yeah, well… Now that you’ve done your brotherly duty, you can go back toyourapartment whereyour wifeis waiting for you with dinner.”
“You wanna come eat with us?” I give him an unamused smile that has him lifting his hands in defeat. “Okay, okay, I’m leaving.” He gets to his feet. He interlocks his fingers in front of him, stretching. “Need me to get you anything before I leave? Pain meds? Ice pack?”
“I’m good, seriously, you—”
“Can leave,” Nixon finishes. “I know, I know.”
