We finished eating our food, and then I cleaned up the trash and got Brenna some more water from the kitchen. I settled into the chair next to her and then asked her how she was doing.
“The medication is starting to wear off,” she said. “And it’s starting to hurt. I can take some more in two hours, which will be nice.”
“That’s good,” I said. “How are you doing emotionally?”
“Well, now that the chaos of this has settled, I’m starting to think about the reality of what this means for everything that I wanted to do around here.
If I have to be off my feet for the next two weeks, it’s really going to set me back. My plan was to have everything repainted and redecorated in the next two weeks, and I don’t see how that is going to happen. I mean, right now it takes me 15 minutes justto hop down the hall to go to the restroom. I can’t imagine trying to do any work. So I am not immediately freaking out about it, but I am concerned about how I’m going to get everything done before my inspection date.”
“I figured you would be feeling that way, so I have a plan,” I said.
I explained to her that I had taken the next two weeks off of work, and that Rylan and I would be there every day to help get everything done. When I finished telling her my plan, she was crying.
“Don’t cry,” I said, getting her a box of tissues. “It’s going to be okay!”
“I know,” she said. “These are happy tears. Grateful tears, actually.”
I smiled at her. “I’m glad that I can help.”
Brenna turned on a movie to watch, and while that played in the background, we planned out what the next two weeks would look like.
All of her painting supplies were going to be delivered the next morning at seven. I was going to come and meet the delivery person and get everything set up. After that, I would pick up Rylan and then go get her mom from the airport.
Once I brought her mom home, I was going to start painting. The rest of her decorating materials would be in by the weekend, and I would help her get everything ready. We wouldn’t do the final decorating until she was able to be on her feet and help. She also insisted I help her into the rooms where I was painting so she wasn’t just laying around while I was working.
“How about we see how you’re feeling with that?” I said.
“Fine,” she said. “But I know I’m going to feel up to it.”
“I’m sure you will!” I said.
When the movie was over, Brenna looked at her watch.
“I can take more medicine!” she said.
“Yes, you can,” I answered.
She yawned, and I could see that she was exhausted.
“Are you going to get some sleep?” I asked.
“I think I need to,” she said. “I’m just a little nervous.”
“I understand. Would it be alright if I slept here on the couch tonight? That way if you need anything at night I can help you.”
“You know,” Brenna said. “My pride wants to tell you that I’m fine and I don’t need you to stay, but truthfully, I would feel a lot better knowing you were here.”
“Then I’ll stay,” I said. “How about I help you back to your room? You can get ready for bed, and I’ll get your medicine. Once you’re settled, I will run back to my place to grab a few things, and then set up here on the couch.”
“Thank you so much,” Brenna said. “That sounds like a great plan.”
That night, as I laid on her couch, I couldn’t believe the turn my life had taken in the past month. I knew that Brenna’s life had also drastically changed, and I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next.
Chapter 11
Brenna
“Oh my goodness, Brenna, these are absolutely adorable,” my mom said.
