Spiced Molasses

Chapter 15

The patient in question was lying sprawled on his back. The boneless splay of limbs indicated that he was unconscious. The soft snoring further hinted that he was deeply asleep. Subramanian looked up smugly at Beth's entrance with Rick.

"Wouldn't stop moving," he informed them without being asked. Beth wasn't going to call into question the decision to subdue Daryl. His body needed the rest after all. She had never heard him snore before, somehow didn't think he was the type to, but she had to admit that in this position he was almost adorable. She would keep that sentiment to herself; he'd probably flay her if he knew she'd ever considered anything he did adorable.

The doctor was disposing of gloves in a small yellow bag that then went back into his travel kit. "He's going to be tired for the next couple of days. Probably grumpy too," he added. He wasn't beating around the bush much to Beth's relief.

"He'll have to be careful not to pull the stitches, they're surgical so they'll dissolve with time when the body's ready."

Beth nodded, trying to concentrate on what Subramanian was telling her. It was easier to focus when she didn't look at Daryl.

"I've left some antibiotics and pain meds on the counter. He needs to take them for the next few days with food."

Beth looked at the little bottle, stark in that it was the only thing on the kitchen bench. Not so very long ago the counter had been laden with her baked attempts to distract herself. The hair on the back of her neck prickled and she realised Subramanian was still watching her closely.

"What?" she asked meekly, colour rising in her cheeks.

"He's going to be difficult; he has no inclination to look after himself so I just want to know if you're up to the challenge. If not I can stay for a few days."

The apartment was by no means small; it had been designed to comfortably accommodate one. Two was cosy, but three adults would be too much. Daryl would know that the only reason the doctor was staying was to keep an eye on him and Beth somehow sensed that Daryl would resent that and probably react accordingly.

Beth didn't want to deal with Daryl's mood swings on top of everything. Beth set her shoulders defiantly. "I can do it." Rick nodded; her declaration was enough for him. Subramanian's lips twisted but he didn't contradict her.

Saying it was one thing, doing it was another thing entirely. And Beth wasn't entirely confident but she would try.

"Well if you're sure, we'll get out of your hair. Let you both get some rest." Subramanian started to gather his medical tools.

"Should we get him to the bedroom?" Beth asked hesitantly.

Subramanian shook his head. "He's so out of it, he'll be fine where he is for the moment. Besides it'll serve him right to get a stiff neck."

She had to fight a wry smile at that comment. Beth got the sense the doctor was affectionately amused by Daryl undignified position on the floor. The two men took their leave. Rick handed her a business card as he walked out the front door. It didn't have many details, just some inky numbers stamped into ivory white.

"If you need anything," he offered before slipping away. There was that annoying lack of goodbye but Subramanian shook her hand and pressed his own contact details into her hand.

When she shut the door, the apartment lapsed back into blessed silence. Beth rested her head against the cool wall as the exhaustion that had been kept at bay crashed back around her. She was still covered in Daryl's blood. So was the floor in the main living area. It made her cringe and she cleaned that up first, using every cleaning product she could find until she suspected the scent of citrus would permanently linger in the apartment.