“Good. We can connect this headphone to your phone, and you can rest.” She nods.
I press the green button on the app, then connect the headphones. Handing the phone back to her, she picks a playlist and puts the headphones on. I kiss her forehead and exhale relief for the first time since I saw her missed calls.
“Do you want to change into a shirt?” I ask, knowing she prefers to sleep in my shirt. She shakes her head. “I’m going to speak with Bruce. I’m not leaving, okay?”
She nods.
I step out to find Bruce in his under shirt and boxers, helping himself with one of the beef patties in the fridge. He’s alert when I show up.
“Is she going to be okay?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I answer, with a sigh of relief. “She has the noise cancelling headphone and I’m here, so she’s less scared. Pain wise, she’s green, so that’s good.”
He nods his understanding.
“This is so good,” he says, raising the patty. “Luke said she makes them?”
“Yeah, she loves to bake.”
“She composes music, plays instruments and bakes. Interesting,” he says, almost as if he’s cataloguing.
“I need to get back to her. Help yourself to more. Do you need change of clothes?”
“I’ll just wait for mine to dry, tossed them in the dryer.”
“Okay. Let me know when you are ready to leave, or you can take the spare bed.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m good here.”
“Thanks, brother, for getting me to her.”
He nods, raising the patty, acknowledging.
I return to the bedroom to check on her. She’s asleep. It’s still pouring like crazy outside. I leave the headphones on her. Going back to the closet, I remove my wet clothes and put on dry ones. I sit in bed next to her.
My phone pings with a text in our group chat.
Declan: Are you guys good.
Me: Yes, and she’s fine.
Bruce: We are good, how come you guys didn’t share the beef patties
Luke: I’m guessing you have tasted it, so you know how good they are.
Bruce: I have a whole plate and I’m not sharing
Declan: Come on man, Daniel are you really going to let him have it all
Me: Not getting involved.
Adam: What are you guys talking about?
Bruce responds by sharing a picture of the pastries.
Luke responds with mouthwatering gif
Adam: I’ll be there once the rain stops for a piece
