“You can have my bed,” Chisolm said, motioning toward the bedroom. “I changed the sheets for you.”
Katie reached out and took hold of one of the blankets on the couch with her hand. “Oh, this’ll be fine, Tom. Really.”
“You sure?”
Katie nodded tiredly, pulling the blanket toward her and kicking off her shoes.
Chisolm rose from his seat. He picked up one of the pillows and tucked it in the corner of the couch.
Katie smiled at him as she nestled her head into the pillow. “Mmmmm, thanks.”
Chisolm helped spread the blanket over the top of her. Once she was covered, he kissed her lightly on the top of her head.
“You did damn good, Katie,” his whispered into her ear.
“Thanks,” she replied, her voice already thick with sleep.
A lump rose in Chisolm’s throat. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
Katie took in a deep breath and let out a peaceful sigh. “You’re here for me now, right?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s all I need, Tom. I just need you…” she yawned into her shoulder, then finished, “…I just need you to be a friend.”
Chisolm smiled slightly. “I can do that.”
“Then that’s all I need.”
He rose and turned off the living room lamp for her. Then he sat down in the chair across from her in the dim light of the living room. Outside, the heavy rain battered the windows of his house. He picked up his bottle of beer and took a sip, looking at her curled form on his couch. She wasn’t asking to be saved. Just for him to be her friend. To watch over her tonight.
I can do that.