Page 21 of Commander in Briefs

Rays of filtered sunshine stream through the slatted blinds, waking me. For the first time in years, I slept through the night. Although my knees creak and my entire body aches, I feel a thousand percent better than I did yesterday. Braced against the mountain of fluffy down pillows, all the memories of last night come rushing back.

Anniston, a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.

I thought I was imagining her when she roused me from my makeshift bed.

Mother Nature was being a bitch, her frost coating every solid surface, making it impossible to find unoccupied sanctuary. Everyone living on the streets were scrambling to find a warm place to curl up in. I’d managed to procure a spot behind a dumpster but soon after I settled in, a group of thugs claimed the area to orchestrate a drug deal. I wasn’t looking to get my ass beat or arrested, so I slipped away.

I headed south with no destination in mind. All I knew was that I was putting as much distance between me and the city I hated with a passion. I don’t remember how long I walked. I remember my lungs burned and it became harder and harder to breathe. Finally, when my bones began to ache, I sought cover. But unlike the city, there are few bridges or abandoned buildings for shelter in the country. Too weak for one more step, I collapsed in a nearby drainage ditch. I don’t remember falling asleep.

I only remember waking to a golden angel. Even bundled up, I knew she was beautiful. Peach, wind-kissed cheeks played peek-a-boo through the tendrils of dirty blonde hair that managed to escape her beanie. They begged to be touched, and I craved to tuck them behind her ear. I didn’t reach for her, though. Her eyes, deep pools of blue with swirls of gold stared at me with so much concern that I just knew she could never be real. Not for a man like me.

Gorgeous. She was fucking gorgeous. I knew I was staring at a real-life angel. My time had come and instead of feeling scared or having regrets, I only felt relief. I could finally go home and leave this godforsaken world behind.

It wasn’t until she started shaking my shoulder that it occurred to me I could be on someone’s private property. But when I told her I would leave, her eyes became fierce. Confusing. She pulled me up, and against my objections led me to her house.

Her house, for goodness’ sake! Was she crazy? I could have been a serial killer.

After that, things get a bit hazy. I remember her panic-stricken face as she struggled to cut off my shirt…the awful tea. I remember lying next to her as she devoured junk food like a pro. And her touch, a sweet caress to my face that led me out of madness. Most importantly, I remember feeling cherished for the first time in my thirty years.

The fresh smelling t-shirt and sweats hug my body like a glove. How long has it been since I have smelled fabric softener? The IV is still dripping into my arm. She must have given me another bag during the night. I have to admit, as much as I hate needles, the fluids have helped. I almost feel like my old self. Almost.

I give a few kicks to the pile of blankets she added last night, and can’t help but smile. She couldn’t leave well enough alone. She had to have the last say. Her tenacity is awe-inspiring, and I can’t help but feel crestfallen. I’ll have to leave today. She did her good deed and now she needs to go back to her normal life.

This is not my life anymore.

The door swings open with more energy than a person should have first thing in the morning. My angel practically sings, “Good morning, Gorgeous!”

Gorgeous. I remember her calling me that last night. The nickname squeezes my throat into a muffled cough. I’m not really sure how to react to such praise.

“How did you sleep?” she asks, leaning in close to check me out then resting her delicate cheek on my bent knees. The tension suddenly vanishes as she flops down beside my aching body.

“Like a baby,” I answer honestly.

She nods, checking the level in the IV bag. “Good. I told you you would. And I’m never wrong.”

Twisting the sheet between my fingers, I respond with a snort. This girl is a handful. Whatever man has her is one lucky bastard.

“Would you like for me to take out this IV?”

I nod but then remember it’s better manners to speak. “Yes, please.”

She smiles, pleased with my verbal communication. “You’ll have to drink more fluids today and keep them down.”

I nod my understanding. Some days water and fluids are not readily available for people like me. Occasionally I can find an outdoor spigot or a drink someone threw away in the trash, but I have to be quick with those. All of us are scrounging around for leftovers.

It would break her heart if she knew the horrifying lengths I go through daily. I don’t want her to feel guilty and continue to help me when she may otherwise not. She’s done so much already. More than I deserve.

She begins to peel off the tape slowly, careful not to pull any hair on my forearm. I stay perfectly still, watching her delicate fingers work. She slides out the IV with graceful skill and quickly presses gauze to the barely bleeding wound. Not once did it hurt. Instructing me to hold some pressure, Anniston places a piece of tape over the gauze with a sincere smile. At this point, I would do anything she asked, just to keep her talking.

She fusses over the room, picking up trash and unused medical supplies left over from last night. I can’t tell if she’s a neat freak or just trying to alleviate the awkwardness of our situation. Once everything is to her liking, she graces me with a perfect smile and… a thermometer.

I may have groaned a little. And when an amused smile reaches her plump cheeks, it all but confirms I definitely did. I open up without bitching because in the short amount of time I’ve been here, I have learned this woman is not to be argued with. I could certainly try, but ultimately, she will do what she wants, everyone else be damned.

The thermometer beeps for what I hope will be the last time.

“Back to normal,” she informs me.

Blurting out the first thing that comes to mind, I state the obvious like a total dumbass, “You’re very good at this.”Smooth move, Cade. Of course she’s good at this, she’s a doctor.

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