Growing From The Pain

9

I jump up from the bed. "Wow. You really do wake up like that all the time. It's funnier the third time." I look around and find I'm in the bed alone. Lance is standing at the room's entrance. "How was your sleep?" I try to remember yesterday.

"What happened?" He chuckles.

"You don't remember." I shake my head. "You passed out in the bed before you took a shower." He waves his hand in front of his face. "You better take one quick." He breaks into a short fit of laughter. "I've already taken mine."

I shake my head out of confusion. "So it was a dream," I whisper to myself. "Well only partly." I look up at Lance. "Did a pig sit on my face?" He breaks into laughter and nods his head. I sigh and start to chuckle at the reoccurring memory.

"I couldn't do anything for you. You laid down in the middle of the trough." I sigh.

"Alright. Get out. I'm gonna get undressed."

"Okay." He stays where he is. I frown. Taking off my shirt I throw it at him. He laughs and heads out the room. Shaking my head I go back to undressing. A minute later I'm in the shower. The water goes from cold to hot quickly. I stay there and let my body soak it up. My hair falls down my neck and sticks to my shoulders.

The dream was so vivid, but it felt so real. My skin feels like fire where I felt him touch me. I put my hands to where the bite was supposed to be. I remember the pleasure I got from it. His hands on my waist and up my body. I put a hand on the wall. "What have I done?"

A knock on the door takes me out of my head. "You okay in there?"

"Yeah I'm fine!"

"When you're done I've got a surprise for you downstairs." I sigh. Get yourself together. I finish my shower and get dressed. Then I head downstairs. "Keith! You're done. Finally." Lance greets me at the bottom. He grabs me and pulls me along and leads me to the table. On it is some Pad Thai. "I thought it would be nice. On days that the family is gone I order out and watch movies when I'm done with work."

"This is nice," I say a little out of it. He turns me towards him.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He puts a hand to my head. It hurt. I think I have a headache from trying to figure out my feelings. Or just thinking in general. "You're not heating up." He frowns. "Are you hungry?" I look over at the food groggily. Maybe I am. I nod.

I indulge the large bowls of food and instantly feel replenished. Lance starts the movie and we watch together. I lay across the couch with my head in his lap. He runs his hands through my hair. "Keith," he says softly.

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you a question?" I nod. "Why did you suddenly start caring about me?" I prop myself up on my elbows. I think to myself for a second.

"I've always cared for you. You've been an amazing teammate and an even better friend. I didn't visit often because I wanted to give you space, but space isn't what needed. You needed a friend. I see that now." There was silence after my words.

"Well thank you," he says. "For being here." I lay back down. We continue watching the movie. When it's done I yawn and weakly try to stand. I stumble a little and wobble trying to become sturdy. "Alright," Lance says standing. He picks me up bridal style. My arm limply falls and dangles. "Let's go."

My other arm wraps around his shoulders. "Thank you," I whisper weakly from exhaustion. He smiles at me and heads upstairs. The last thing I see is his eyes before he sets me in bed.

🌷                            🌷                           🌷

I wake up refreshed in the morning. Then my head pounds again. I grab my head. It only makes it hurt more. I groan in pain. "You're making so much noise up there." I look over the edge to find Lance sleeping in my sleeping bag. A wave of pain hits again.

I scrunch my face, clench my teeth, and hold my head. "Keith, are you okay?" I roll over in bed. "Let me get you some Aspirins. Hold on." He rushes out the room. Every bang only makes the headache worse. When he comes back he has a few of the pills in his hand and a glass of water. "Come on. Take 'em. Take 'em," he urges.

I do as he says and grab them from him quickly. He hands me the glass of water next. I take them and wait for a few minutes. My headache slowly starts to go away. Lance sighs and sits at the edge. I sit up in bed finally. "I'm fine Lance."

"Yeah," he says blandly. I put a hand on his shoulder. He turns to me. "I was worried."

"I know."

"I didn't... I didn't know what to do. I got scared for a second. How would it feel to lose another one of you? You have no idea how I would feel." He starts to cry. I lay him on my lap and let him cry into my thigh.

"Alright I just came to say goodbye and I'm off," Veronica barges in. I look up and try to explain, but I don't get a chance. "What did you do?" Her eyes were flaming and her hands were balled. "I'll kill you!" Lance held up his hand.

"He didn't do anything," he says. "Goodbye Veronica. Have a good day," he sniffles. I chuckle nervously and wave her a goodbye. She glares at me, but it soon softens.

"Okay. I'm leaving now." She backs out the door slowly. I don't see her shadow leave.

"I can still see you," I call out. She snickers and, hopefully, finally leaves. I run my hand through his hair. I play with his slowly growing mullet. He continues to weep in my embrace. "I won't leave you. I promise."