Page 34 of Southern Comfort
“Yeah, yeah.”
“What? You hate eggs and sausage?”
“No.”
“And don’t think you’re going to get out of the exercises. You and I can follow the printouts he gave you.”
“Oh, I don’t have those anymore. I tossed ‘em.”
“And I downloaded them.”
“Ha!” Landon grunts his pleasure.
“I don’t even know what that means exactly, but it isn’t to my advantage, that’s for sure.”
“On the contrary. It’s going to return your life to you. Just shut your fritter hole and follow my lead. I know what I’m talking about.”
“You are turning into Nurse Ratchet.”
“Who’s that?”
Ronnie closes his eyes and tilts his head back. “Goddamn woman. Haven’t you ever seenOne Flew Overthe Cuckoo’s Nest?”
“No. Is it good?”
“Yeah. Let’s watch it today. You’ll find out what I think of your methods.”
“Okay. After your physical therapy.”
“You are one stubborn chick.”
“I consider that a compliment.”
“I meant it that way.”
Five hours later, after Landon leaves for the bar, I get settled in my new room. As predicted, he fought me on not taking his bedroom. There was no way that was going to happen. The tiny guest room with a bathroom just outside the door works fine. It is cozy. Sort of.
He hung a blanket over the naked window that looks over the field on the side of the house. I guess they never use the room. There’s a plant stand next to the double bed, being used as a nightstand. It is the only room in the house that doesn’t have the same mood. Like it was an afterthought. But there is a rose in a little vase, and a TV on the wall, so I’m happy.
My cell and iPad atop the dresser sound. Hunter FaceTiming.
“Hey, Mom. How’s it going?”
“I’m putting you on this bureau while I unpack. No one can hear us.”
“So how’s the father doing? Are you whipping him into shape?”
“He fired the physical therapist today.”
“Oh no.”
“It wasn’t the best fit. I can oversee the exercises until they get a new person.”
“Don’t hurt yourself picking the guy up or anything.”
“There will be none of that. I’m just going to take things slow and steady. You remember all I had to do to recover after our accident.”
I hear the breath being pushed out.
