“I’ll go make it.”
“Would you mind if I took a shower?”
“Not at all.Make yourself completely at home.”
“You’re very kind.I wish I remembered meeting you before… Well… I suppose it’s better that I can’t remember much of anything that happened over the last week or so.”
“About that… We have an incredible psychiatrist at work.Everyone loves him.I’m sure he’d stop by to talk if you feel up to that.”
“I’m not sure what we’d talk about.”
“There’s trauma in the not remembering as well as the physical injuries.Dr.Trulo is the best.”
“Why would he care about me?I don’t work with you.”
“He’d care if I asked him to.”
“Why do you care?”
Archie shrugged.He’d been asking himself that same question for days.“I just do.We had a good time together before this happened.I want to see you back on your feet and on the road to a full recovery.”
Her shy smile touched him in places he hadn’t realized were there.He’d had that same reaction to her when they first met and every time he’d seen her since, even when she was in the hospital.
“Thank you for everything.I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“I’m happy to help.Whatever I can do.”
“Don’t you have to work?”
“I took a few days off, which I never do, so I have a ton of leave.”
“It’s nice of you to do that for me.”
“No problem at all.How about you grab that shower while I make us some breakfast?”
“That’d be great.”
“Coffee?”
“I’d love some.”
“You got it.Do you need a hand getting up?”
“I might.”
Archie moved closer and offered her an arm to hold as she sat up, grimacing from the bruises on her ribs and abdomen.She wore one of his DC Federals T-shirts and a pair of his sweats that were far too big for her.He needed to see about getting her some clothing that fit properly.
When she was upright on the side of the bed, her feet on the floor, she took a moment to collect herself, pushing hair back from her face.“Sorry that I’m like a ninety-year-old.”
“No need to be sorry.You’re recovering from painful injuries.Take your time.”
She took hold of his arm and stood slowly, wincing and tearing up.“This sucks.”
“It totally sucks, but you’re doing so much better than you were even yesterday.”
“If you say so.”
“I say so.”
