The Influence | Dearra Taylor

Chapter 18

Japanese Denim - Daniel Caesar

"It's some nurse ma found named Kalani."

Today was Klay's first day of physical therapy, but he didn't know who the nurse doing the therapy was. He was explaining this to his sister during their weekly facetime.

"There's some random ass lady coming to your house and you don't know who.." She replied, already irritated with her brother.

"I mean, mama found her and scheduled my appointments for the next few weeks. She got good reviews."

"Whatever, Klay." Kelcie said, while she finished her food during her lunch break.

"What you been doing lately?" She kept the conversation going.

Klay thought about his response for a minute, "Nothing really. I can't do shit, but sleep and eat."

She laughed at his reply, "Klay, get out the house please. What happened to the girl you were telling me about, go out with her."

At the mention of Dearra his mood increased. They had started back talking, but it wasn't too heavy. It was a subtle conversation here and there. He could tell Dearra had been working on herself through the months and he was willing to give them another try.

"Yeah, I hear you." Was all he said. The doorbell ringing ended the siblings' conversation earlier than expected. Klay slowly limped to the front door, as he opened it, he recognized the face of the nurse immediately.

He opened the door and on command she spoke, "Oh, Klay! Hi, I'm your physical therapist." Lani said in a cheerful tone.

Klay groaned at the amount of enthusiasm she had. He learned that Lani was the type of person that was unnecessarily happy. There's nothing wrong with that, but it could be a headache at times.

Klay didn't have the energy to reciprocate her personality, he blandly replied, "Hey." He stepped aside letting her enter with the equipment and gear.

"Okay, um. You can follow me to my training room." Klay said and she followed.

He watched as she browsed around the room, taking a look at his trophy case. "Woah, you have a lot of awards."

"Yeah."

Noticing his lack of conversation, Lani began helping Klay gain feeling and control back in his knee. "So, we're going to start slow since you're still healing." Her cold fingers against Klay's skin was uncomfortable, but he didn't speak up.

"Cool."

Her hand slowly slid down Klay's leg towards his knee, while her other hand rested on his side. She bent his leg, making Klay close his eyes in pain.

To distract Klay's mind from the therapy pains– Lani began to speak, "Where's Rocco?" she asked.

He grabbed the sides of the bench hoping it'll alleviate the pressure, but it didn't. "With a friend."

That was true. Klay sent Rocco with Steph since he couldn't tend to the dog's needs for a while. Klay couldn't take Roc on his daily walk, feed him, or play with him like they enjoyed doing most days.

"I thought you were a musician." Klay said as he thought about their very first interaction.

"Yeah, did I mention aspiring? I went to school for physical therapy, but I also sang in the choir and things like that. I constantly heard passion doesn't pay the bills, so I took on a more practical career, and one that'll pay my student debt."

"Real, all I heard was following your passion leaves you in debt as well. I went to school for sport's management, so I'm grateful I got drafted."

Lani continued to have Klay do a series of exercises all of which made pain spread through his body. His knee was aching and he just wanted to sleep the feeling off. He hated being in pure pain and his medications weren't working anymore.

"Sorry." She said when she saw him clenching his eyes shut.

Klay's vibrating phone stirred his attention, it was a call from Dearra.

"Hey, are you hungry, I accidentally cooked too much food." Dearra said, as she propped the camera up for him to see.

"Nah, I'm alri-"

"I'll be over in thirty." Dearra said with a smile.

Klay dropped the phone on the table, and this was the biggest smile Lani ever saw him give.

"Girlfriend?" She asked while dropping his leg.

Klay's eyebrows knitted in confusion, "Huh?" Her asking that question threw him off completely.

"On the phone, was that your girlfriend?" She asked again.

Klay sat up from his bench and replied, "Yeah, why does it matter to you?"

She picked up on his annoyed manner, "No worries, I was just asking."

From the second the call connected Lani knew that wasn't just some friend, or family member. Klay's demeanor and body language changed from dull and brightened immediately. This made Lani jealous, she genuinely thought she had a chance with Klay and she hated whoever that girl was– just demanding that she would be coming here after he denied her offer.

"She seems nice." Lani fakely complimented, and Klay could sense the animosity in her voice.

"Nice, beautiful, loving, attractive.." Klay continued on.

After another ten minutes their first and last therapy session was over. Just as Klay opened the door to let Lani out, Dearra was approaching the front door.

"Our next visit is already scheduled, so I'll see you then." Lani said, and Klay didn't respond.

He watched as Dearra walked past Lani without speaking, or acknowledging her. Klay pressed a kiss to Dearra's forehead as they hugged on the porch.

"I made salmon and rice." She told him as he took the bag from her grasp.

Just as Klay went to respond, Lani slammed the car door. Dearra looked over with an irritated expression, "Who even is that?"

"My old physical therapist." The two reacquainted individuals went into the house and ate the home cooked meal together and shared a few laughs they both needed.

Glad this Lani shit over with, cause girl who are you?