When everything was cooked just right, they prepared the plates, laid the table, and we could eat. After I had spent almost an hour desperately trying to make myself something to eat, those two had completed seventy percent of the work within fifteen minutes. There was no way they’d leave again after that demonstration, and everyone at the table knew it. Even their complimenting my recipe did not help me over this defeat.
After I had filled myself with the first decent food in a week, I decided it was time for my first shower in a week as well. I had not noticed Claire following me into my bedroom, until I had grabbed my change of clothes and ‘walked’ out of my closet.
“What do you need?” I asked, seeing her demure stance.
“I said I’d help you. That is obviously something you will need help with.”
“No way.” I refused her as decidedly as possible.
“Honey, please! What if you slip?” she was pleading again. I already hated it when she did that, but this was not something I would budge on.
“I have a little stool on the balcony that I use as a table. I’ll place it in the shower and sit on it.”
“But wha...” she started.
“I said No! I’m not getting into the bathroom with you!”
There it was again. That look on her face like I had slapped her.
“Okay. I’m sorry.” she said in a meek voice, hanging her head to look at her feet. “Do ... Do you want me to get your sister instead?”
I groaned.
“Look. I’m not getting in there with Ava either. I don’t want you in there because the last time the nurse put my arm into that sling, she warned me about something she lovingly called ‘The Armpit of Doom’.” Hearing this, her head shot up and she looked at me with big eyes, before she tried to suppress a chuckle. “Trust me on this. You don’t want to help me there. But if you would get me the stool from the balcony, that would be nice.”
She hesitated for a moment, but eventually left the room to return with the little seat. She placed it in the tub before reluctantly leaving, though she stopped at the door.
“I ... I’ll be right outside the door, Honey.”
She didn’t give me time to respond, as she already started to close the door from the outside. I noticed, however, that I didn’t hear the latch snap. I figured it would be the best I could hope for without throwing a temper tantrum.
I grunted and groaned while getting out of my clothes, and felt a little out of breath when I was successful at last. When I removed my arm out of the sling, however, a rather loud sound of pain escaped my mouth.
“Are you Okay, Honey?” I heard Claire’s concerned voice, and saw her fingertips reach around the door, ready to push it open should the need arise.
“Yes. Progressing smoothly. Thanks.”
“O-Okay. Remember, I’m here! Just ... say the word.” It was remarkable how clearly I could hear the inner conflict in her voice, between the need to respect my wishes and the urge to help.
I shook my head, but couldn’t stop myself from grinning. This was just too surreal. Honestly, Danny was right. Under different circumstances, I would enjoy their eager servitude greatly. If they wanted to bathe me, bathe away! But as things were, I did not want them to see me weak. I wanted them to know that I didn’t need their help, and that I was perfectly fine without them. This current situation was the complete opposite of what I wanted, and it wasn’t easy for me to come to terms with it.
Since the hospital staff had flat out refused to place waterproof gauze pads on my packed leg wound, I opted for a navy shower despite desperately wanting to enjoy the hot water a little longer. It would have done wonders on my strained muscles and aching back from the prolonged time I was standing in the kitchen while leaning on my right leg only.
I can tell you, the ‘Armpit of Doom’ is a thing! And I realized that it wouldn’t be just the one with the sling, but it’s also hard to clean your left armpit with only your left hand. Especially for a righty like me. After finishing my much too short shower and drying myself, I actually opted to simply use some surgical disinfectant as a deodorant to keep myself odorless for a while. Then it came to getting dressed, and the pained groaning started again.
By the time I had accomplished even that task, I finally capitulated and asked Claire to help me back into the sling. I hadn’t even completely said her name, when the door flew open and she jumped into the bathroom. Seeing me being more or less fine, she took a deep breath and helped me out. She immediately noticed how beat I was, and, without a word, ushered me into bed where I instantly passed out.
I woke up maybe half an hour later. I still felt drained, but waking up in this familiar environment instead of the sterile hospital room had me in a way better mood than the days before. Then I heard their voices in the living room. I carefully got out of bed and crept towards my door as quietly as possible. Looking round the corner, I saw Claire and Ava sit on the sofa.
They seemed to be discussing what they saw in the photos and selfies of me and Tess. They went on for a few minutes, commenting on all the places and situations we documented with those photos, until their tone turned sad.
“I can’t believe how happy he looks in them.” Claire remarked.
“Yes. It’s sure been a while since I’ve seen him like that.” Ava commented.
“She is beautiful. They both look so much in love.”
“Yeah.” Ava shifted a little. “She ... was beautiful.”
Hearing Ava correct her slip up and reminding her of Tess’ fate, Claire stared at her daughter for a moment before seemingly looking at the floor, shaking her head.
“Does ... Have you heard anything about him looking to date again?”
“No.” Ava sighed. “Some girls from the cheer team asked for his number and if he’s single. They’re, like, the most popular girls in school, and they wanted to invite him to their New Year Eve party. But he ... well ... he was very clear about not giving his number out. I mean, it’s been over three months since she died. I don’t know how long it’s normal to ... you know...”
“He must still miss her so much.” Claire leaned forward, covering her face with her hands. I could barely hear her muffled voice when she spoke again. “How do I fix this, Sweety? How can I ever make this up to him? I don’t know what to do!”
Ava reached over to wrap her arms around her mother and pulled her into an embrace. I watched on as the two of them simply held each other wordlessly for about a minute, but could hear one or both of them sniffle from time to time. I decided to creep back into my room.
At least now I knew why Ava never asked how I was, when her friends asked for my number and relationship status. They hadn’t told her about what happened at Mia’s party.
The next day, I had to visit my GP so he could check on my wounds himself. Before that, however, I learned how the following few weeks would play out with the two of them living with me. I came out of my room in the morning to find Claire already in the kitchen.
“Making breakfast?” I asked, noticing the smell of bacon and the already set table.
Hearing my voice, she turned to me, folded her hands in front of the apron she must have brought with her, and looked at the floor by my feet. The weirdness of this display was enhanced further when she spoke with the same meek voice she used the day before, after I had kicked her out.
“Morning, Honey. I asked Ava what you like for breakfast. I hope that is Okay.”
She had even found the prepared dough pieces in the freezer and used them to make the bread rolls. I blinked at her for a few seconds before I found my voice.