Page 39 of In You
I've never been a religious man, as God never showed up for me, but I find myself turning to something higher than myself to help me through this. I pop three pills for my headache and then take a deep breath, steeling myself to face a day of whiplash before checking the time, seeing it's eight o'clock in the morning. A hell of a lot later than what I'm used to sleeping, but I got some sleep to catch up on anyways, so I don't beat myself up about it too much.
I swing my legs out of bed, noticing Ringo's absence and then I sniff, smelling bacon.
So, I'm going to be greeted by Tamryn this morning.
First thing I do is do my business in the bathroom then take the trapdoor through my bedroom floor and turn the fucking waterline off to the house. I'm not dealing with it this morning.
Walking into the kitchen, I head straight to the coffee pot, trying to be inconspicuous as I eye the stove.
She's got a pan of fried eggs, hash browns, bacon is spitting on the stove, and the little oven light shows me biscuits baking. My skin pricks uncomfortably because I don't like her doing these things one handed.
"Good morning. You sleep well?" I ask curiously.
Lifting my cup, I take my first sip, looking curiously at the sink. She's got some smaller items she used already washed and straining in the rack, but there's a few bigger items left over that still needs to be washed and I'll take care of that so she doesn't have to.
Tamryn plants her hands on her hips with a little huff and then taps her toe, biting her lip. "Yeah, I think I could have used some more sleep though." Turning her head to me she flick her eyes across my face in a little assessment. "What about you?" Almost in the same breath she rolls her eyes and then scoffs to herself, making me arch my brow. "Like I even should care," she mutters under her breath, obviously in a mood today.
Probably due to the fact she actually got no sleep. But she doesn't seem to remember that.
I get we both are under the understanding I'm holding her here against her will but damn, I could use Camilla's understanding nature and her sweet disposition. Tamryn's a bit of a meanie I see.
"I slept great," I lie. "Thanks."
"I made biscuits," she says, putting the pan of bacon on another eye before turning to the sink and moving the faucet over, frowning when she goes to turn it on, but nothing comes out. "Hey, that's weird," she says, turning it off then back on. I smile to myself behind a sip of coffee, acting like I don't see. "This just worked not even twenty minutes ago." She blinks, turning it off then back on again. Then off and back on again.
I choke back a chuckle, stepping forward to touch her elbow gently. She sucks in a sharp breath and then snatches her elbow away, looking down at it like I've burned her. Taking a deep breath for patience, I clear my throat, turning to the cabinet to grab some plates.
"Did you feed Ringo and Tink yet?" I ask, beginning to make our plates, pleased at how comfortable this feels.
"I did, and I took my medicine."
She takes the plate I hand her and then sits at the little table where we commence to eat in comfortable silence, drinking a glass of orange juice. I can't help but stare at her in her maroon cotton lounge wear. A pants and tank set. She's got a matching, thin cardigan over it that goes almost to the floor. It's like a robe, but for daywear. I miss her in my clothes, and I have half a mind to go into her room and start stealing item after item until she has no choice but to go back to wearing my things.
"I'd like to go shopping today," she says.
"What for?" I ask, sitting back in my chair.
She blinks, getting a sad look on her face. "Well…" she trails off, looking towards the back door.
I sip my coffee patiently, sneaking Ringo a bite of bacon. "I thought we got you everything you needed the other day, sweetheart?" Her eyes come back to mine, and I freeze with my cup halfway up to my lips at the tears clinging to her lashes. "Tamryn?" I say, frowning. "What's the matter?"
She gulps and then looks down at her plate.
A single tear falls down her cheek. "I looked at the calendar today and it's my mom's birthday. I just want to go put some flowers on her grave," she gives me a watery smile. "Flowers are sort of our tradition." Rubbing the back of her hand across her eyes, she makes a small, hurt sound. "I'm sorry. You probably think it's stupid, but I just miss her so much. She was myeverything."
My world tilts on its axis with every syllable that comes out of her mouth. My fingers clench around the handle of my cup, and my leg begins to jiggle as a memory slams into my head suddenly of my own mom, many years ago. I suck in a sharp breath, and give my head an even sharper shake to rid myself of it.
I don't fucking need this shit.
"Sure." I clear my throat and then stand up abruptly, throwing my napkin down onto my plate. "Will you excuse me for a second?" I ask in a hard voice. "I'm going to check the water. Then we can go after we clean up."
She nods, getting a little worry line between her brow before taking a sip of her juice, but I'm down the basement steps and putting my hands to my knees and clenching my teeth as hard as I can to stop the anger from spilling out. I gasp, feeling hot and nauseated. My heart pounds, and I sink to my ass on the floor and clench my head, feeling myself go into a spiral I can't help.
15
Camilla's A Healer
Tamryn
