Him and Her

Fifteen

Fifteen

Ana

"Thanks." I say as my dad helps me into my seat at the dining table.

"No problem, peanut." He smiles, sitting in his own seat.

My parents make small talk for a while, talking about their day. Mom told dad about Emma and Kimberly's visit and what they got me. It makes me smile at my friends' kindness.

"So, guys?" I speak up.

"Yes?" They both smile and put their attention on me.

"So, Eric came up with the idea that he comes over for his tutoring tomorrow? Since I can't go to school. Would that be okay?" I ask.

"That is a great idea!" My mom responds.

"A seventeen year old boy in my home?" My dad raises a sarcastic brow.

"Oh stop, dear." My mom laughs and rolls her eyes. "I will be home tomorrow in the next room."

"I'm just teasing." He laughs. "I trust you."

"Thanks guys." I smile.

"What time?" My mom asks, taking a sip of her water.

"After school would be my guess." I answer.

I nod my head in satisfaction. "Wait— how do I shower?" I ask.

"The doctor said you can take a bath." She answers.

"What else did the doctor say?" I wonder.

"Well, it's going to be a slow recovery." My dad states. "Slow and it's not going to tickle." He laughs a little. "There is a short rod in your leg to keep your knee straight. In a few months it'll be taken out and you'll start physical therapy." He explains.

"You had a knee replacement at sixteen." My mom laughs. "Your knee was so messed up." She adds.

"Long recovery ahead of me." I sigh with a reluctant smile.

"Yup! But we will get through it!" My mom says with an encouraging smile.

Dinner carries on as normal, it's nice. But all I can think about is what I am going to wear tomorrow.

- 6:43 pm -

My dad helps me up stairs and mom stays to help me with the bath. She sets me into the bath and helps me take off the brace cast thing and I do the rest.

The water is warm and comforting. I take a rage and submerge it under the water and wipe it over my sutures on my knee. A line that runs from the top of my knee to the bottom. My entire leg is one big bruise, and very swollen. Different shades of yellow, green, blue and purple run all down and around my injured leg. The medication the doctor gave me does little for the pain, but makes sure it stays clean and free of infection.

Suds fill my hair as I wash it out to rid it of the hospital smell. I can't believe twenty four hours ago I was technically in surgery. A couple hours before that I was in my car, then on the hood of another car. I wonder what happened to that guy. But before that I was saying goodbye to Eric.

Eric. I can't believe he was actually worried about me. Enough to ask my friends even. I feel my cheeks get warm. He is so nice. Complicated, caring and kind. He tries to get me to talk to him about myself sometimes. But I don't just because I don't do that. He always tries though. Until I change the subject at least. I wonder what he thinks of me...

No, stop. Eric is my friend, that is what he thinks of me. Why would he think otherwise?

Once I finish, I drain the tub and remain seated until it's empty before I dry myself. When I dry myself, I struggle to pull on undergarments but am able to do it. I call my mom to help me up from the tub and sit me on the lid of the toilet. She helps me pull a large hoodie over my head. We work together to put the brace back on and by the time we are all done I am so exhausted and just want to sleep.

I am wheeled to my room and I am helped to my bed. "Remote, water, and your book." My dad says, placing each item next to me.

"Thanks, dad." I smile and he plants a light kiss on my forehead.

"If you need anything, just call." My mom places my phone on my lap.

"I will. Can you just shut the light off? I think I am just going to sleep." I state.

"Of course. Have a good night's sleep. And sleep in tomorrow." My mom winks.

They shut the door and leave the room. But a few minutes later, Buddy walks into the room and jumps onto the bed, not touching my leg as if he knows it's hurt. He lays beside me and puts his head on my stomach and I soon fall asleep.