Page 18 of Love in the Darkness

I heard him rustling around with his phone for a moment. “Gwen sent a text to remind me to check on whether or not you need painkillers.” I felt his hand tapped my knee gently. “Don’t be a hero, Kayla. Does it hurt? Did you take some pills before bed last night?”

It was difficult not making a face. Something about not having my sight made me feel like other people couldn’t see me.

“It didn’t matter when I was asleep. Um, I think it’s okay now. I mean, it feels weird. Tight and uncomfortable. A little achy. But it’s not exactly pain.”

I heard a soft tapping. Then I grinned. “You’re asking Gwen for advice?”

“Yeah. It seems like you don’t want to take the prescription painkillers. I’m asking if it’s okay if you had the regular over the counter type. Do you not like taking pills?”

“I don’t mind, they just… I’m a little sensitive to them. They make me feel sluggish. Sort of fuzzy.”

“But all you’re doing is resting,” he said. “If you’re uncomfortable Kayla, take a pill if it makes things easier.”

I heard him tapping at his phone again. “Gwen double checked, and said that any old regular headache pill would be fine. Would you rather take that then the heavy-duty ones?”

I released a sigh. Everything really had been pretty achy this morning. “Sure. What the heck.” I automatically started to get up, then heard Liam chuckle as he patted my knee.

“Sit. Please let me feel useful. Where are they?”

“Left side of my bedroom dresser, blue bottle.”

It was weird to think about a stranger rummaging around my home, but there was nothing I could do about it. It was still unusual that I was able to speak so freely to him. After spending my entire life being shy, suddenly being able to talk to strangers was sort of fascinating in a strange way.

Liam brought me a glass of water, placing it in my right hand, and two pills in the left. “I saw the clothing set up that you and Gwen must have organized. Very clever.”

As I washed down the pills, I realized with mild embarrassment that Liam had seen the careful piles of t-shirts, sweaters, yoga pants, and underwear across the top of my dresser. Best not to think about that. This was not a time when I could worry about silly little things, I guess.

“So,” Liam asked, “What sort of career do you end up in after studying psychology and art history?”

“I’m not sure yet,” I shrugged. “Graphic design and marketing, or some sort of art specialist.” I grinned in his direction. “I have some ideas for various fonts designed to evoke emotional reactions. Could be interesting.”

“Sounds devious,” he chuckled. “Oh yeah.” I heard a finger snap as if he’d just thought of something. “I’m supposed to make sure that you get some light exercise today.”

I pursed my lips. “Sure. I’ll just throw on my running shoes and go for a jog.”

Undeterred, Liam took my hand and pulled me off the couch, leading me to the center of the living room. “Basic stretches,” he said. “Just stop completely if you get dizzy again, right?”

I nodded.

“Plant your feet, and sweep your arms up over your head, and be longer than you think you are.”

Channeling the few yoga classes I took years ago, I stretched my arms up, feeling my hips and back come along for the ride.

“Do you think a forward bend would make you dizzy?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “Let’s find out.”

Stretching up and forward, I folded at the waist until my hands were dangling near the floor. Then after a few deep breaths, my palms touched the carpet.

“Wow, you’re pretty flexible,” Liam said.

I couldn’t help but think of that in a slightly naughty way, and tried to keep my grin to myself.

After dangling for a moment, I could feel my shoulders release. Slowly pulling back up, I reached out for the bookshelf, then did a few runner’s stretches for my legs.

“Perfect,” Liam approved.

“I’m just guessing you’re a gym guy, aren’t you?”

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