Page 26 of Take Me to the Valley

I text Cody, telling him he can bring Skye home at any time. Then I take my bags up to the room he said I can use.

Once I’m settled in, I go to the kitchen to figure out what to make for dinner.

“Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” Skye bursts through the door and runs over to Evan on the couch, but then stops in front of him and stares.

“You still have to be careful of my shoulder, but no more IV or wires, princess,” he says.

After Skye visited Evan in the hospital, we had to sit down with her and explain what the IV was for and the different machines. She felt a bit better, but she didn't want to go back to the hospital even after she knew what they all did.

Hesitantly, Skye sits and makes sure not to jostle Evan. Then she begins a spirited recounting of her day and everything that happened. Finally, she models her hair, showing Evan what we did this morning. When Skye finally runs down, she grabs her backpack and starts working on her spelling homework. She sits at the coffee table letting her dad help where he can. Satisfied that they’re both occupied, I work on dinner. At one point, Evan drifts off to sleep.

Skye finishes her homework and comes to me in the kitchen. “Daddy is sleeping,” she whispers.

“Yeah, the pain medicine he is on will make him tired for a few days. Do you want to help me make a banana pudding for dessert?”

Her eyes widen, and she nods so far that I think her face might fly right off her shoulders.

I set her up at the kitchen island to help me peel and cut banana slices with a butter knife. She then tells me all about her day, and I pretend I didn't hear it when she was telling her dad earlier.

Then we discuss how she wants her hair done tomorrow and what she wants for her lunch tomorrow and if it's possible to send her to school with banana pudding in her lunch. We decide no as that's a special at home treat, but I promise she can have some as an after school snack.

When I look, Evan is awake. He watches Skye and me giggle like we have a big secret as we look through hair styles on my phone. There is an intense look on his face when his eyes meet mine. I offer him a smile before I turn my attention back to Skye.

When Skye realizes her dad is awake, she talks to him about our banana pudding debate and how she is ready for a big girl body wash like her friend.

Skye is definitely going to keep me on my toes over the next few weeks, but I don't think I will survive those stares from Evan.

Chapter 13

Evan

“Okay,” Calista says to Skye after dinner and dessert. “I think it's time we get Daddy upstairs to his bed so we can get you ready. What do you say? Do you think you can help me?”

“Yes!” Skye says, taking it very seriously.

“Okay, you take Daddy's phone and make sure there is nothing on the floor between here and his bedroom. Daddy will move slowly, and I will help him up the stairs,” Calista says.

“Will you turn on the heated blanket on my bed too, princess?” I ask Skye.

“You bet, Daddy!” Skye says, running off to do what she we asked.

“Alright, let's get you up, and once she is in bed, it will be time for another pain pill,” Calista says.

I nod and let her help me stand up. My ankle is sore, but nothing like my shoulder if I move it too much. Calista stands on my good side, helps me up off the couch, and waits for me to get my balance. She lets me lean on her the way to the stairs, where I pause. Maybe I was overestimating my abilities right now.

“If you want to stay down here, I can set up the couch,” Calista whispers.

“No, I can do this, but coming down to the couch might not be possible the next few days,” I admit defeat.

“I didn't think so,” she says softly.

Slowly, we work our way up the stairs. We get about four stairs up when Skye comes to the top of the stairs and I pause.

“Why don't you go pick out your PJs and clothes for school tomorrow and lay them on your bed?” Calista says.

“Okay!” Skye says, running off down the hall again.

“Thank you,” I say and continue my slow assent up the stairs.

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