The Other Half Of My Heart

Fever

His skin was hot to the touch and he was shivering. The cut had opened and was bleeding. It looked red and swollen. Damn it! I knew I should have taken him to the hospital. I was going to have to clean the wound out better.

I grabbed some towels and peroxide. I would try to flush it out. I placed the towels under him and removed the bandaids. I poured the peroxide in the wound. He moaned and moved around. I tried to hold him still so he didn't make it worse. It bubbled and foamed up. I poured some more on and he moaned some more in pain. I did it a third time and his eyes opened. They were glossed over and feverish. His hand gripped my wrist.

"Owwww. You're hurting me. Let go. I am trying to help you. It's infected."

He hissed through his teeth, "Listen here, crazy bitch. My side feels like you are setting it on fire."

"It's just the peroxide working to rid your body of the infection." I said.

"Then tell me you are almost done." Sweat had formed on his brows.

"Yes. I just need to dab it dry and put some more antiseptic on it."

I dabbed it dry then gently began to apply the antiseptic. He growled in pain. "Hell fire, woman. Are you trying to kill me?"

Here I was helping him and all he could do was complain. "I should have left you by the dumpster to die. You are so ungrateful. I bring you into my home and all I get is you complaining. Would you like me to dump you outside and you can fend for yourself?"

"No. Just hurry up." He glared at me.

I hurried to finish then I covered it the best I could. "I'm going to get you some ibuprofen. Hopefully that will bring down the fever."

I brought him a glass of water and the pills. He took them without a thank you. He curled back up under the blanket, still shivering. I went to let Buster back in. He headed straight to my room. He was sniffing around and jumped on the bed. He licked the guy's face.

"Get him off of me. You mangy mutt." It didn't seem to faze Buster any. He walked down by the guy's feet and curled up and layed down.

"The mangy mutt seems to like you."

He grunted in response. I went to the living room. Obviously I couldn't just leave him in my apartment and he wasn't going anywhere any time soon. I called into work for the next couple days. When I checked on him an hour later, he seemed to be sleeping more peacefully. I felt his forehead and it was a little cooler.

"Come on Buster." I started to walk out of the room assuming he would follow. He didn't. I turned back to look at him. He looked at me with sad eyes. "Come on. You don't have to stay here." He layed his head down on his paws and gave a little whine. "Ok. Suit yourself." I had never seen him take to someone like that.

I settled in to read a book. I was pulled out of my story by a yell from down the hall. "Hey. Any one home? Hello."

I stopped in the doorway. "Yes. Can I help you?"

"I am really thirsty and I need to pee."

I went to get him some water. Still no thank you. Rude. He finished it off then looked at me.

"I can't pee for you. You are on your own there."

"Haha. Can you at least help me get there." He pleaded.

"Fine." I helped him sit up and swing his legs over the side of the bed. I moved up to his right side so he could put his arm around my shoulders. He pushed up with his legs and stood. He leaned on me heavily as we made our way to the restroom.