King ☞ r. grimes

76

Walk

The hours passed by slowly.

Katie just wanted to get up and walk out.

She hoped that Denise would let her leave soon.

"Hey, Denise!" Katie called.

"Everything okay?" Denise asked.

"Just wondering when I can go home," Katie said.

"That all depends on you. How are you feeling?" Denise asked.

"Achy, but the internal pain is virtually gone," Katie responded honestly.

"I would say that you can sleep in your own bed tonight, Katie," Denise said with a smile.

"Oh-but-um don't do anything, um, strenuous," Denise said, struggling to get the words out.

"Right. No sex. Got it," Katie said.

Denise held back her laughter.

"When Rick comes back in here, I can just send you home with him. I don't want you to walk back by yourself, just in case," Denise said.

"Thank you, Denise. For everything," Katie said genuinely.

Denise gave her a light smile.

Katie bounced Judith gently on her legs.

The baby cooed and giggled in her lap.

Katie just looked at her.

She watched her and saw the innocence in Judith's eyes.

Katie used to want more than anything to get that kind of innocence back.

Now she knew better.

Once you grow up, you have to deal with the real world.

Innocence and hope will only get you killed.

"Don't thank me yet. We still have to try walking," Denise sighed.

Katie laid Judith down between two pillows so she wouldn't fall off the bed.

Denise held out her hands so that she could catch Katie if she fell.

Katie took a deep breath and pushed herself off the bed.

Her feet touched the cold ground.

"Damn Denise that's cold as hell," Katie screeched.

"Pretty sure hell is hot, but okay," Denise said with a chuckle.

Katie rolled her eyes dramatically.

She took a small step.

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," Katie said sarcastically.