Page 93 of Jump or Fall
Dr. Kaur set a jar on the table beside her. “You’re free to sign out when you’re ready. I’m sure Mr. Rusu has filled you in on caring for the scar—the allantoin salve will help.”
“Thank you,” she said absently.
Once the doctor left, exhaustion crashed down on her.
She ran a hand through her hair and felt a gritty texture on her fingers. “I feel like I could sleep for a month and still be tired.”
“Let’s go home and get some rest,” Gordon said.
She nodded, narrowly missing his hand when he helped her down from the bed.
Navigating outside with her limited vision was maddening. Shadows tangled across narrow paths and stairways, and she kept missing steps. If Gordon hadn’t been holding her hand, she would have tumbled down more than once.
He kicked away obstacles in her path, and every so often, the piles sent the sharp stench of spoiled trash wafting into the air.
Gordon kept her close, careful of anyone that might try to lift something from their pockets.
By the time they reached the apartment, she was ready to collapse.
“I know I’m filthy,” she said, weary, “but I don’t think I can stand long enough to shower.”
“Sheets can be washed. Just rest.”
Gordon stripped down to his boxers and gave her a kiss before retreating into the bathroom.
She would never grow tired of his affection.
A cardboard box sat on the dresser. She went to inspect it and noticed one of her shirts. Digging further, she found it was full of her clothes.
Gordon had finished in the bathroom and was behind her. When she turned, he was scratching the back of his head nervously. “Um, I had a friend get your clothes. I hope that was okay. I would’ve done it myself, but didn’t want to leave you. When I had to start over in Eight, it was a pain in the ass. I figured you’d want your own things.”
She slipped her arms under his and nuzzled his bare chest. “I love you.”
He held her close, burying his face in her hair. “I love you too.”
After her turn in the bathroom, she stripped down to underwear and the hospital shirt she had been given. Sleep and the promise of Gordon were pulling her down. Finally, alone for the night with him.
She got into the bed and her last thought before drifting off was his hand entwined with hers.
Chapter 31
Mara
Mara tried to blink away the sleep, but one side was dark. She scrunched up her face, but it only made the tightness worse, like someone had pressed her face down onto a hot pan.
“Fuck!” she whimpered.
“Here,” Gordon said, sitting her up and gently spreading salve across her new scars. The relief wasn’t immediate, but his touch soothed what the salve couldn’t fix.
“Thank you.”
He took her hand and placed a glass of water in it.
“I’m not trying to tell you what to do,” he said. “It just helped me to chug water first thing in the morning.”
“I want to hug you, but I know I’m gross.” Her whole body felt coated in a layer of grime and her scalp itched from dried blood.
Gordon wrapped a careful arm around her. “I’ll take a hug from you any time.”
