Serenity | Fragile Hearts

chapter 3- kind or not?

Aila

I stood up, ready to thank him and leave, but before I could do so, a heavy hand pushed me back down to sit.

I looked back up to him confused. "What are you doing?" I was cold and wet and wanted nothing more to go home and take a hot shower.

"You're hurt too" he told me in a tone that left no room for argument.

"What, no I'm fine. I need to get her home and out of these clothes." I told him frustrated.

"Can you just sit down and be quiet for once?" He asked in a equally frustrated tone.

I huffed. "Fine" I told him as I sat back down, Sofia eying him curiously.

As he came closer with a set of gauze and wipes in his hand, he grabbed my arm. It was only then I saw the road rash with streaks of dried blood everywhere.

Shit. I didn't even feel any pain.

My adrenaline blocked out all that pain for sure.

He took the alcohol pad and began to wipe along the length of my arm. Not gonna lie, it stung a ton. But I didn't wanna show him any emotion.

I focused to Sofia instead, who looked at the man with curious eyes. She was mesmerized by every one of his movements and watched intently as he cleaned up my arm.

Sofia leaned into me and whispered in my ear, but to no avail,  he heard as well.

"Mommy, doctor" she asked me with a curious look.

"Shh no baby, he's just helping us." I responded softly. I hugged her tighter to me with the one arm he wasn't working on.

He didn't say anything, but continued to clean up my arm.

"You got an ouchie?" she asked me, concern written all over her face. Her big brown eyes peered up to me, filled with worry.

I smiled warmly to her. "Yes sweetheart, don't worry though, mommy's okay" I told her as I gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.

He wrapped my arm in an ace bandage and gauze and clipped it accordingly.

"Anywhere else hurt?" he asked, again in his gruff voice.

I shook my head. "Not that I can feel" I told him. Truth was, I didn't know if I was hurt anywhere else, or if my adrenaline was covering it.

He nodded. "Good"

"Fank you for fixing my mommy's ouchie" Sofia announced suddenly she told him softly as she looked up to him with her big brown eyes.

I looked to her shocked. I didn't expect that at all. She's normally a very shy kid, and will never ever speak to anyone.

He looked to her. "You're welcome" Soon, him and I made eye contact. "Make sure you keep it covered and change it as needed. Don't get it wet" he told me.

I nodded. "Thank you" I told him in a meaningful way.

He nodded. "Don't mention it."

I got up, still holding Sofia. As I did so, she began to shiver. I wrapped my jacket around her tighter.

"The rain stopped for a while. You should probably head home while you can" he said with no emotion.

"I am. Thank you again." I told him.

He nodded, as he looked to us intently with his arms crossed over his chest.

And we made our way out.

Thankfully, we were only about a 10 minute walk to the apartment.

"Mommy, is your ouchie better?" she asked me.

"Don't worry, mommy will be just fine, sweetheart" I reassured her. That was another thing, she was such a concerned child and always worried about me. Although it warmed my heart, I hated her worrying so much.

Thankfully, the old brick apartment buildings came into quick view in no time. It wasn't the fanciest, but it provided a safe and humble abode for my daughter and I, and didn't leave me in complete debt.

Since nursing school, I had to take out a ton of student loans. I'm hoping I can pay them off in no time once I find a job.

While I was at school or clinicals, my lovely neighbor, Ms. Rosie, looked after Sofie for me. She was the absolute best. She was retired and her family lived across the world, so she became a part of us. She'd always cook for us when I had long nights and days, and would watch over Sofie whenever I needed.

She was like a mother to me. And I'm so grateful for her. I don't know where I'd be without her.

We soon made it to the apartment and I unlocked the door. It wasn't anything big- a kitchen and living room, with two bedrooms and bathrooms. There was a small balcony outside that we hardly ever used as well.

I gave Sof a quick shower and changed her into warm pajamas. Before I knew it she was fast asleep. A part of me wanted to wake her up to eat dinner, but I knew she'd be cranky.

After that, I took a long hot shower myself. After I threw on comfy PJ's, I made one of those Kraft Mac and Cheese cups and scarfed that down quickly too.

Before I knew it my head it the pillow and I was fast asleep.

A pair of brown eyes was the last thing I saw before I fell into a deep slumber.