Page 18 of Grumpy Player

“If you prefer to do the shopping yourself, I’ll provide you with a credit card. I insist,” he says.

“Okay. That would be fine, but you didn’t answer me if you want to eat dinner,” I repeat.

Syd whispers in his ear but I hear her say something about the muffins.

Connor laughs. “She told me I’m going to really like dessert. I love blueberries.”

“Then you’re in luck. Let me go make you a plate.” I turn to leave and then I hear him and Syd talking. Her voice is louder when I’m not near her.

I hear him tell her that Hazel didn’t show this afternoon. It makes my stomach dip.

When I get to the kitchen, I call Patty. She answers after a couple rings.

“Patty,” I whisper.

“Why are you whispering?” she asks.

“Connor’s nurse didn’t show this afternoon. I think he needs her to bring him food, bathe him, and help him, you know, relieve his duties,” I say awkwardly.

“What duties?” she snickers and then I hear a pause and an, “Oh.”

“Yeah, he can barely move, and he hasn’t eaten. I feel so bad for him.”

“He’ll probably get a replacement. I’m sure if he has to go bad enough, he’ll figure a way to get himself up. I just hope he doesn’t injure himself more. I would come to help him, but Connor is stubborn and probably won’t want that kind of help.”

“Okay, I got to go,” I whisper.

“You’re there for Syd. Don’t worry about Connor. . .”

I don’t respond.

“Ellie?” she asks to see if I’m still here.

“Ya,” I reply. “He’s hot and he’s super sweet with that little girl of his.”

“Ellie, Connor is grumpy and all about Syd. You can’t fall for Connor. You need this job,” she reminds.

“Says the woman who tried to entice me to take this job because of the hot single dad,” I laugh. “Would you relax? I know that, got to go.”

“Bye,” she says quickly, and I hang up. I don’t want to leave Connor waiting. I don’t think he’s eaten much today by the looks of it.

I return to his room with a plate that has two quesadillas and another plate full of muffins.

Syd jumps on the bed and Connor winces. “Shit. I need to get up.”

“Daddy,” Syd says out loud with wide eyes.

“Oops, sorry, Sweet Pea. I really need to get to the toilet and you jumping didn’t help,” he says. Poor guy. Then he looks at me. “Syd doesn’t like to hear bad words.”

I’m more excited that Syd used the full volume of her voice in front of me. I place the food on his night table.

“Let me help you up,” I say to him. “Tell me what to do to support you.”

“You don’t have to do this,” he argues.

“I don’t think that’s true. Now tell me what to do to help you up,” I urge. He’s a big, strong, capable guy. Being incapacitated like this must be so hard on him.

I stand beside him.

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