Healing Over Time

Chapter Thirty-Three

Thirty-two weeks after Lee's death.

Alex was standing in front of Tate who was sitting on the back of his dad's truck. His head turned to the side as Alex worked on a large cut across his cheek. She wasn't sure what happened, but Kayce had ridden up to her, dropped Tate off, and snapped that he'd be back.

"You wanna tell me what happened?" Alex asked softly as she got out some supplies.

"I feel in the river," Tate said. "And Grandpa saved me."

"This sounds like a movie I've already seen this year, Tate," Alex narrowed her eyes at him. "And this mark is right above the one you got last time."

"Oh yeah...I feel months ago, didn't I?" Tate smirked.

"Why were you anywhere near a river right now?" Alex asked. "It's freezing, Tate."

"Grandpa and I went for a ride, and we were sitting next to the river," Tate said. "I went to look closer and slipped in and then Grandpa jumped in and saved me...just like last time!"

She pulled out her antiseptic spray and gave Tate a sad smile.

"Let me guess, your father wasn't happy about it...again?" Alex held Tate's chin and turned his head more.

"Nope," Tate said. "Said a lot of bad words under his breath."

"This'll sting," Alex said before spraying the cut a few times.

Tate winced but didn't cry. She grabbed some medication for infection and gently coated the cut. After placing a bandage over his cheek, she leaned back and looked at her work.

"I don't think you'll need stitches," She said. "Guess this time is different."

"Grandpa said I would," Tate looked at her.

"Your grandpa ain't a nurse," Alex rolled her eyes and started to clean up his face. "How does that feel?"

"Funny?" Tate blinked slowly.

"Yeah," Alex sighed. "Can you swallow pills?"

"I don't know," Tate shrugged.

"Have your parents ever given you pills when you're sick?" She asked.

"I don't know," Tate shrugged again but smiled.

"Tate...some Tylenol will help you with the pain you're gonna have for a while...have you taken that before?"

"I think so," Tate said.

"Okay, I've got some up at the house," Alex closed her bag and stepped back so Tate could hop off the truck bed.

The two of them made their way up to the main lodge. When they walked in, Alex could smell Gator's cooking and her stomach grumbled. She took that as a good sign, seeing as it had been hard to keep food down for the past week.

Alex led Tate up to the bathroom and had him sit on the sink's counter while she rummaged for something he could take. When she stood back up, Tate was smiling at her.

"You're in a happy mood today," Alex said opening the bottle.

"I guess so," Tate shrugged.

"Did you have a nice time with your grandpa before you fell in?" Alex asked.

"Yeah," Tate nodded. "I like it here."

"It's pretty good, huh?" Alex smiled, handing him two tiny pills. "You can chew those if you want but drink some water when you do."

She grabbed a small cup behind him and filled it with water. Tate did as she said and made a face at the taste. Once he drank all the water he handed the cup back to her.