Broken Tides

Chapter Seven

I popped another movie in for Milly and sat with her on the couch. She seemed concerned about me, but after a few minutes of the movie playing she was back to her bubbly self, distracted and happy. Maybe this was some kind of joke, or a metaphor. Or maybe I was loosing my mind. I wasn't really sure, I was sure that I wasn't paying attention to the movie. Milly seemed to space out too, and eventually passed out next to me on the couch.

I sat there, with the tv playing some happy cartoon, Milly nuzzled into my side, happy as clam. I payed attention to my phone, hoping it would distract me from what I'd seen and my arm, which was starting to dry out, and getting really itchy. Scrolling through various social medias didn't fill the void I was in, but it sure made it feel less dark and lonely. After a while, the movie finished, and began repeating the menu screen with some really loud, really annoying kid's music.

I glanced at the clock, and realizing that her mom would be by to pick her up soon, I got to gathering her things and putting them in her backpack. I made sure to put her movie back, and clean up the food mess as well. I couldn't vacuum the rug all to easy but it would be fine.

Eventually a gentle knock on the door told me her mom was here, and that I had never actually learned this woman's name. Because nobody bothered to tell me. Quickly, I grabbed her backpack and flipped it over. Nothing. Well, it was worth a shot. I went to answer the door and her mom was standing there happy, but expectantly. I let her in and handed Milly's things to her. "This is kind of silly, but I never actually caught your name." I told her, embarrassed.

She made a tight lipped smile. I got the impression she didn't like me very much for some reason. "Ah. Helen Yost. You're Marlowe, and Katrina is your aunt." 

"Yea, Kat's been there for me." I really didn't wanna talk to her.

"What do you do for college?"

"I- uh. I never went. Didn't want to. I got a pretty nice job giving swim lessons and working at the Shack in high school and just stayed with it- but I did study in high school and look into schools that have forensic programs." I chuckled nervously. I didn't know what she did for a living, or much about her but I could tell having an education was important to her.

She looked me up and down. " And now you're babysitting?"

"I guess." Was she paying me or my aunt? "I can't really do much of anything else, I mean I guess I could but I'm kinda... y'know."

"What happened, If I can ask?" She asked as she took a seat on the couch, vaguely gesturing to me.

"Don't really know. I had an 'accident'" I lifted my arm, I had just had the cast removed, but I still had some bandages on to cover the remaining stitches." and I kind of passed out, and when I woke up in the hospital..." I referenced to my legs.

"So...?" She prodded, wanting me to explain. "No spinal injuries? Leg injuries, head injuries? Like what's the diagnosis?"

"Again, I don't know. I just stopped being able to use my legs fully. Like I can kinda move my legs, I can't move or feel anything right around or under my ankles, but no actual paralysis. They don't know, so instead of surgery they put me in P.T.." clearing my throat, I began handing her Milly's things.

"Ah, okay. How did you injure your arm?" Helen pointed at my bandaged arm.

"I broke my pinky and had to get some stitches. It happened when I passed out." That wasn't a complete lie, and I knew that it was because I punched a mirror, but she didn't need to know that.

"Sorry to hear it." She handed me an envelope, and slung Milly's backpack over her shoulder, picked up Milly and her crutches and walked over to the door. "Honestly, I do appreciate you watching her. I didn't think that you would be the best influence on her but I do genuinely appreciate how much you seem to care about her. Thank you for watching her today." She smiled sweetly to me.