The Walks of Life

Chapter Fifteen

Haden walked into Delilah's room quietly. She had been here for almost a week, but really hadn't said much to anyone. He didn't blame her. She had probably been secretive and seclusive so long that it was second nature to her now. He looked at the bed but saw that no one was in it.

"Delilah!" He called worriedly.

"I'm right here," A voice said softly. Haden looked to see her sitting by an open window.

She still looked incredibly pale. She was in a loose fitting nightgown. Haden wasn't sure where it had come from. His mom must have found it for her. Her shoulder was wrapped but he could see some flecks of dried blood on the wraps. It must've started bleeding again.

A slight breeze blew through the window and her hair blew away from her face. She had a strong jawline and high cheekbones giving her a proud and majestic countenance. Her sapphire reminiscent eyes looked like she had seen too much in her short life so far. Her scar stood out in stark contrast to her currently, pale skin.

"Your bandage needs changed," Haden said worriedly. "I can have my mom come-"

"She is busy with many things," Delilah waved her hand dismissively. "It can wait."

"It might cause more infection," Haden pointed out.

"Well, if you're so worried about it then you change it," She said nonchalantly.

"Er-okay-um," Haden cleared his throat nervously. "I'll be right back."

Haden walked into the bathroom and filled a bowl with hot water. He picked up some of the nearby clean bandages and a cloth. He hurried back into the room and set the bowl down in the window sill.

"How do you want me to-uh-oh my gosh," Haden facepalmed and Delilah laughed. He looked at her curiously. He had never heard her laugh.

"You're the one always making me uncomfortable with you innuendoes and now you can barely change my bandages," Delilah laughed.

"I talk more then I act," Haden explained bluntly. "I also want to preserve your modesty."

"Why? No other man I've met has," it was Delilah's turn to be blunt. Haden looked sad at this remark. That wasn't the reaction she was expecting. It made her heart feel weird.

"Drop the shoulder of your nightgown," he commanded gently.

Delilah undid the string on the front of her nightgown and gently pulled it down and away from her shoulder. She realized fairly quickly that that wasn't going to work.

"Hand me that blanket please," she pointed to a throw on the bed.

Haden handed it to her and she motioned for him to turn around. He obeyed and she tapped him on the shoulder a few seconds later. She had let the nightgown drop down around her waist and had covered her torso with the blanket. Her shoulder was now accessible.

Haden undid the first few bandages on her shoulder gently but easily. It was when he got to the layers with dried blood that it got harder to remove. Delilah winced and then yelped as the wound was reopened. Haden had reached the last layer. Removing this was going to hurt. He pulled the bandage off quickly and she yelled.

"Sorry," he apologized.

"You're fine," she said through gritted teeth.

Haden looked at her wound and then nodded in approval. She was healing well. She should be able to start moving it again soon. He dipped the cloth into the warm water and began to clean the area gently. She hissed and pulled back involuntarily. He waited a moment and then began to clean it again. She was better prepared this time and bit her lip to keep quiet.