Page 62 of Mistaken Intention

“I—I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I just wanna get you comfortable, give you some painkillers and make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

“She’s right,” Hunter says. “You’re not. Now… let’s lift you onto the bed.”

He and Mac put my arms around their shoulders again and haul me off of the chair. They turn me around and sit me on the edge of the bed, and then I feel someone pulling at my shoes. I guess it must be Josie, and I crack my eyes open to find her kneeling at my feet. That feels wrong. She doesn’t belong there… in fact, it should be the other way around. I should be kneeling before her.

“We’ll take the chair down and clear up the glass,” Hunter says.

“I can do that later,” Josie replies.

“No, it’s fine. Let me know if you need anything else.”

“I will… and thank you.”

I hear them move away, their footsteps on the stairs, their whispered voices fading into the distance.

“Let’s get you into bed,” Josie says, standing, as she reaches for the hem of my t-shirt, pulling it off over my head. “We’ll take these things off, just in case there are any fragments of glass in them.” I feel her tugging at the button on my jeans, undoing it eventually and pulling down the zipper. “If you lie down, I think I can pull them off.”

She pushes me gently to my side, holding onto me until my head hits the pillow. Then she lifts my legs up onto the bed and I feel her pulling on my jeans, tugging them down and eventually, right off. I’m only wearing my trunks and, although I wouldn’t object to her taking those off as well, she doesn’t. Instead, she pulls up the covers.

“I’m gonna fetch you some painkillers from my room. I’ll be right back.”

I nestle down slightly, getting comfortable, and relaxing at last. I never thought I’d be so relieved to be horizontal.

“Here…” She’s back and I feel her hand beneath my head as she raises it slightly and helps me swallow down the tablets she’s brought for me. “They should start working soon, and hopefully you’ll feel better.”

“I don’t think I could feel much worse.”

The mattress sinks slightly as she sits beside me.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, the emotion in her voice cutting through me. I know it’s gonna hurt, but I open my eyes. She’s gazing down at me, looking so scared, it hurts me more than my head.

“What for?”

“I never should have left you alone for so long.”

I pull my hand from beneath the covers and reach out, caressing her cheek with my fingertips. “It’s not your fault, Josie. I’ll be okay.”

She sighs as I let my hand drop, although I can hear a stutter in her breath. “I’ll let you rest.”

“No… don’t go. Please.”

“Okay.” She shifts back slightly, so she’s sitting right up against me. It’s comforting, feeling her that close and I shut my eyes again…

I wake in slow stages, gradually becoming aware of my body… of the fact that it feels warm and rested, and that my head doesn’t hurt as much as it did. Then I notice the light, which doesn’t make me want to snap my eyes closed again… and finally I realize I’m alone.

Josie isn’t here.

I open my mouth to call out, but shut it again, fearful that although my head feels a little better, it’s not up to raised voicesyet. Instead, I sit, taking care to go slowly, and then I twist around in the bed, setting my feet on the floor.

So far, so good.

I could use a drink, and some more painkillers, but there’s no clock in here. I don’t know what time it is, or how long I’ve been sleeping. Is it too soon to take more tablets? Josie’s the only one who can tell me that, and I cling to the nightstand as I get to my feet, feeling okay about being upright.

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