Secrets of the Past

Chapter 58

Giovanna was in the hospital for a week following the accident. Kali had gone to her apartment, packed a bag for her and taken it to Brian's. Brian picked her up Friday afternoon. When they got to his house he helped her inside and got her situated on the couch.

"Ok?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you." She was slightly out of breath.

"Let me get you some water."

He returned seconds later and handed her a glass.

"Thank you. You don't need to fuss over me."

"Get used to it," he said, sitting next to her. "Do you need anything else?"

"No," she said, putting a hand on his knee. "I'm fine. The only thing I really want to do is take a shower. A week of sponge baths don't do much."

"Ok, we can do that. I got you a little shower bench to sit on and I got a cast cover." He helped her off the couch and carried her upstairs. He sat her down on the edge of the tub and put the plastic cast cover over her cast, then helped her undress. He removed the bandages from her arm and forehead and helped her into the tub.

He turned the water on and helped her wash. It took a while because he was afraid of hurting her. Afterwards, he helped her dry off then took her into his room so she could get dressed. When she was done he bandaged her cuts then carried her back downstairs and once again propped her up on the couch.

"Better?" he asked.

"So much better. Thank you."

"Let's just get this out of the way. From this point forward 'thank you' goes without saying. You don't have to say it every time I do something for you."

"Fine. But it will still happen out of habit."

"Ok. Are you hungry?"

"Are you kidding?" she asked. "I haven't had real food in a week. I'm starving. Can we get a pizza?"

"Absolutely." He took out his cell phone, ordered, then switched on the tv. "What do you want to watch?"

"I really don't care. Whatever you put on is fine."

"Are you in any pain?" he asked.

"No. And while we're laying down ground rules, if I need something I'll let you know. I appreciate it, I really do, but you don't need to worry about me so much."

"Deal."

After they ate, she took a Percocet and soon fell asleep. After a while Brian woke her up and asked if she wanted to go up to bed.

"Sure," she said.

He switched off the tv and carried her to his bed. He got her comfortable then slid under the covers next to her. He turned on his side put an arm over her waist.

"I'm wide awake now," she said. "Thanks a lot."

"I'm sorry. You looked uncomfortable."

"I'm just teasing. This is much better. I just wish I could lay on my side."

"Too painful?" he asked.