Candy | MouthWashing Game Curly X OC

𝘗𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴

"Who's that for?" My mom asked as she opened up a pill organizer. I read the label on the bottle I was holding and started dividing Curly's medication into the week.

"Curly. He needs to just take this last pill then he can go to sleep. Tomorrow, also, I'm going to make him soup because I don't think he can chew properly yet. Do we have any silicone straws?"  Mom thought for a moment as she pondered my question and then paused her organizing, before nodding and pointing to a drawer nearby. I smiled slightly and walked over to grab the straw and set it aside for his lunch tomorrow.

"He got settled in nicely?" 

I nodded, "yeah he's fine. Not chatty, of course, but he's comfortable." I closed the pill divider's lids and put them on the tray nearby with a bottle of water and then apple juice. Some residents like to use the juice as a chaser if the pill has a lingering taste on the capsule. Mom gave a hum in response and started to organize the next set of pills. Every other night she would divide any medication for the week after so we would always be stocked and ready. It made things a lot easier.  I walked over to the stove and set a giant pot down, turning the heat on and pouring broth in it to meal prep for tomorrow's lunch and dinner. 
"Did we decide if Tina was going to learn any kitchen skills?" I asked, starting a conversation. I took out some veggies and started chopping them as I waited for the broth to heat up.

"I think I'm going to ask Miranda to do meal preps now, you and Tina can switch on and off doing things like the laundry and room upkeep. If that's okay with you," mom glanced at me and then set the finished medication bottles in a cabinet. My lips formed a tight line as I thought about this and then I poured some noodles in the now heated broth and continued chopping the veggies smaller than usual so they could eat it easier. 

"I don't mind," I finally answered, shrugging. It wasn't like I hated Tina or anything, but truth be told she acted aloof and too silly whenever I was just trying to get chores done before the patients were done with their walks or hobbies or whatever they chose to do during their free times. Miranda worked with us for a little bit, but she was the same age as Mom and did a great job and picked up stuff quickly. 

I added the veggies once the noodles were softened. "You can bring those up to him, I'll finish the soup and put it in the fridge for tomorrow," mom offered. I gave her a grateful smile and then grabbed the tray and headed up to his room.

I walked upstairs, not needing to use the elevator I preferred the exercise anyways, and knocked then opened the door to his room. He sat there where I left him, but his head tilted forward more. I laid the tray on the dresser and turned off the radio near him. "Hey, Curly," I said, "we're going to take your last medication tonight and then you're free to sleep if you want to." He didn't respond, so I just grabbed the small dish with his pill and the apple juice and water. I sat on the edge of his bed.

"Can you open your mouth for me?" I asked. He didn't move. I furrowed my eyebrows and waited a moment. He was shaking, as if he was expecting something. I nibbled my bottom lip and then gently raised my hand. I brushed my thumb against his scarred chin, just to encourage some movement. He jerked his head away and I could tell the harsh movement hurt him. I hovered my hand in the air for a moment. "I'm not going to hurt you, but you're going to be very sensitive without this medication. I'm not going to force you. You can take it in your mouth, then follow it with some water or juice. Okay?" I softly spoke. 
We've had people avoid meds like the plague, so this wasn't anything new. But it did concern me he would rather be in pain. His skin was healing but still extremely tender and raw, especially his face. He would be in agony while trying to sleep without any medication.

I waited silently for a moment until he slowly moved his head back to my direction and then huffed audibly. I didn't move, offering him a chance to open his mouth on his own time. I smiled when his mouth opened slowly. "Good job," I whispered and then placed the pill on his tongue. 

"Water?" No response.

"Juice?" A nod.

I held the straw near his lips and still let him move on his own accord. "It's right in front of you when you're ready to take a sip. The straw is also silicone so it shouldn't hurt your lips," I said in a gentle tone. He hesitated for several beats before leaning forward. I gently directed the straw to his opened lips and then let him latch onto it himself and take a few sips. He sat straight up, rigid and shaking more. I took the juice away. I knew he swallowed the pill, but didn't understand his response to swallowing it. Like he was waiting for something to happen. I raised an eyebrow but just sat there in silence as he eventually leaned back on the pillow but still looked tense and in a fight or flight mode.

I pursed my lips. As cautious as I was with him, I still had a job to do and needed to nurse him back to health physically and mentally. I reached out and gently touched his arm. He flinched but didn't pull away entirely.

"You don't have to be scared, Curly. I'm here to help you," I said quietly. Curly relaxed under my touch. Like my words soothed him but he didn't quite know how to respond. I stood up and pulled the covers up a little closer to him. "Now, I'll wake you up tomorrow at nine. Sound good?" I asked.

He gave a curt nod. Smiling once again at his progress, I adjusted his pillow, closed his curtains, then walked to the door. He had to lay slightly in the 'up' position to help recovery, however he still looked comfortable. I shut his light off and turned the fan on low. "Goodnight," I said and walked out, shutting the door. 

How could a man so timid kill all those people? It was sad to see. Maybe he really did lose his mind out there.