A Year In Fort Lauderdale

Some Have Never Seen Snow

Chapter Seven

"I don't want to do this," I mumble as I poke at the beef roast aunt Jenny made for dinner.

She puts a scoop of mashed potatoes on my plate then takes her seat. "Then why did you say you would to Bethany and Henry?" She questions.

"What was I supposed to say? No? I'm not sure they would've taken that easily."

"Well, and you're the only person he's let touch him when he's hurt," Cas adds. I shoot her a glare. "I'm just saying, if I were you I would do it to save whatever poor person would be stuck with him being insane the whole time."

"What if he decides he doesn't trust me and goes after me?" I question, my nerves getting to me. "I've been slapped before by a patient and it hurt and it was a ninety year old lady. Imagine how much it would hurt if he slapped me."

Cas rolls her eyes. "Teegs, I've seen Asher every time he gets hurt, he would've done something by now if he didn't trust you, so he must trust you."

"But why? Why not one of you guys? You have been friends with him longer."

She shrugs and pokes at the green beans on her plate. "I don't know what to tell you, I'm just pointing out that he seems to trust you to help him. He needs help when his parents are gone and I'm sure he'd be less stressed if you were helping him than some random worker." She looks at me with her big brown eyes. "I know how much you hate suffering patients."

I drop my fork and look up at her. "You're trying to guilt trip me into doing it."

"I'm only saying that he would suffer with someone else and he'd be stressed the whole time. You could actually get him to take care of himself and focus on recovering, not stressing about the person that's helping him."

After a solid minute of us staring at each other, I sigh. "I guess you're right. I would hate it if I knew he was stressed."

She smiles. "It's only for a few weeks too, and it won't affect your internship; it's perfect."

I shrug, still feeling uneasy about the situation. I've only known Asher for a short while and, from what I've heard, he doesn't seem to be comfortable with being cared for. In-home care is different too; just you and the patient. With his leg being practically broken and needing surgery, he will need extensive help, something nerve wracking to do by myself. I'm up to the challenge, always, but it's harder when you have to care for someone you're just getting to know.

And, of course, it had to be Asher of all people.

+++

"I'm so bored," Jacob groans beside me.

I shake my head as I continue my assignment, tapping my pen lightly on the desk. "I don't know what to tell you," I say, keeping my eyes on my paper. "Maybe you could do the assignment?"

He lays his head on the desk, groaning some more. "That's the worst suggestion you've ever given. I wish Asher were here. We'd talk about the latest NFL game and quote The Office at every possible moment."

"Jacob, I could really use your help, this is really hard," I grumble, dropping my pen on the table.

"That's what she said."