A Few Steps To Your Heart

Chapter 23

Later in the day, as evening approached, Georgia began to drift off to sleep. Gavin now understood her exhaustion better. He was surprised that she had even taken the job. It wasn't her responsibility to care for him physically, such as helping him get dressed, but he realized that being active throughout the day, trying to engage him and encourage him to do things, could be tiring as well. He wasn't sad that she had taken on the role, but he now had a better understanding of why she needed rest. She was a fighter, that much was clear. He had underestimated her when she first arrived. While his parents had mentioned Georgia occasionally in passing, this was the first time he was actually spending time with her, trying to get to know her. For so long, he had resisted forming connections and wanting to understand the woman in front of him was almost unsettling. He had grown accustomed to his own solitude. Even before his accident, he had kept people at arm's length. Now, Georgia was making him feel again. She was doing more than that—she was breaking through the walls he had built, walls that were meant to help him manage the disturbing aspects of his job. He wasn't just any unknown detective. He had solved many significant cases and was often assigned to the toughest missions. He took pride in the person he had been, which made it all the more crushing when he could no longer be that person he once was.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," Gavin said softly.

His mother entered, poking her head inside and offering a smile. She always visited after her work hours. These days, his father barely acknowledged his presence.

"Just wanted to see if you had gone to sleep yet," she said.

Gavin reached for the remote and paused the show he had been watching. His mother's gaze shifted to the television, surprised to find him watching it.

"Still awake."

"Did Georgia leave?" his mother asked, her concern evident.

"No, she's sleeping right here."

His mother moved closer, noticing Georgia curled up on the couch, sleeping peacefully. A small smile formed on her lips before she turned to Gavin, studying him from head to toe.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, you just seem..."

"Seem what?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but you seem... lighter," she explained, their voices still hushed so as not to disturb Georgia's slumber.

"Lighter?" he echoed.

"There's just something about you today. Did you enjoy yourself?"

"It was okay," he muttered, looking away.

His mother walked over to Georgia, gently rousing her from sleep. Georgia quickly sat up, apologizing for dozing off, but his mother wasn't concerned about that. After all, Georgia wasn't a nurse. She was there to provide companionship for Gavin.

"I should be heading out," Georgia said, offering a smile to Gavin as she stood up. "See you tomorrow."

"Yes, see you tomorrow," Gavin agreed.

Georgia and his mother, Martha, exited the room, walking down the hallway and toward the house's entrance. Martha could barely contain her excitement, and as they reached the doorway and Georgia gathered her belongings, Martha reached out and touched her arm.

"What is it?" Georgia asked.

"How did he seem today?" she asked. "He appears different. The weight seems to have lifted."

"Oh, he actually left his room today."

Martha's face turned pale, and she took a step back, looking surprised. Georgia grew concerned, reaching out to offer support. Martha patted Georgia's hand, grateful for the gesture, but seemed slightly out of breath.