In Dreams She Came

Chapter 4: Stitches

"Do you want pizza for dinner?" Cath asked, making her way to the kitchen.

"Sure."

"Do you want to help?"

"Only if I can chop something," Matt grinned.

Catherine rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Don't hurt yourself."

"I won't," Matt smiled.

"That's what they all say," Cath smirked, handing him carrots to cut up and put in the salad.

"What are you insinuating?" He laughed.

"That you're clumsy."

"Lies."

Catherine giggled as she turned to grab a cookie sheet to bake the pizza on. "Whatever you say."

"Geez!" Matt shouted, recoiling in horror as the red, sticky liquid filled the palm of his hand and the knife clattered to the floor.

Catherine immediately was at his side. She grabbed a clean towel and pressed it firmly against the wound."What did I just tell you? God," she sighed as Matt winced. "Are you alright?"

"I tried to catch it," he laughed weakly.

"Well, don't next time," Catherine chuckled softly. "Come on, we need to clean the cut." She led him into the bathroom, still holding the towel to his hand. "This might sting a little bit," she said as she began to treat his wound.

"Dang it," Matt muttered. "It's pretty deep, isn't it?"

"Yeah. You'll need stitches. I'll call Jack as soon as I'm finished."

"It's not that deep," Matt insisted.

"Yes, it is, Babe," Catherine sighed.

"I'm fine, really!" Matt laughed, waving his bloodied hand.

She grabbed his hand gently and ran it under cold water. "Matt, it's deep. You're going to need stitches, I'm certain."

"I've suffered through worse."

"I'm going to call Jack."

"You don't have to!"

"Baby, I do have to. It's your health we're talking about," Cath sighed.

"Do you think Josh is alright?"

"I'm sure he's fine," Catherine said, pressing a fresh towel against Matt's hand. "Go sit down and keep steady pressure on it. I'll call Jack now."

"Only because I love you," Matt said, complying begrudgingly.

"I love you too," Catherine smiled as she dialed the doctor's number. "Hey Jack. Are you done with Josh?"

"Hi, Cath. Yes, Josh is fine. What can I do for you?"

"Matt cut himself. Could you come to my apartment with your suture supplies?"

"Sure." Jack was at the apartment in fifteen minutes. He quickly examined the cut on Matt's hand.

"Does he need stitches?" Catherine asked worriedly.

"I'd have to see," Jack said honestly, "if I can get access to the supplies without too much questioning. We were fortunate when he had the flu. I had another patient I had to visit."

Catherine nodded. "Alright."

"Keep pressure on it," Jack sighed before leaving.

"Okay," Catherine replied, pressing a clean towel to the cut.