“They’re different for everybody, but I’m assuming she has a uterine-related medical condition if she’s seeing Suzanne Douglas.”
I nodded, not sure if Lisa would be okay with me disclosing the exact nature of her medical condition. I was sure Mom would find out from Dr. Douglas anyway.
"Poor thing," Mom said, shaking her head. "Well, pack a bag for CJ, and I'll get to work."
“Thanks, Ma.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
Lisa was still curledunder the covers when I went back into the room after talking to Mom.
"How do you feel?"
"How do I feel after you saw me five minutes ago with no pain meds?"
“Soooo, the same?”
She heaved a deep sigh. “I’m sorry. That was mean.”
“Hmm, Lisa being mean to me…what’s that like?” I asked in mock confusion before smiling at her.
"You're lucky I don't have my bat this time and don't make me laugh. I’ll have to force choke you."
I chuckled.
“Would it be inappropriate employee/employer contact if I asked you to hold me like you did the last time I was sick?”
“I could ask the head of the HR department when he’s done with his blueberries.”
Lisa laughed, then winced again. "Dammit, Cole."
"Sorry." I went to the bathroom, grabbed a washcloth, soaked it with cool water, and brought it to bed.
“That’s good,” she sighed as I pressed it onto her forehead. “Now I really feel bad for being mean to you.”
“Which time?” I asked as I crawled into bed beside her and pulled her into my chest.
“The only time you didn’t deserve it,” she said.
"That's fair." I almost planted a kiss on the top of her head but restrained myself.
“Thank you for kidnapping me again.”
I chuckled and squeezed her against my chest. “Anytime.”
After a dose of potent painkillers,a heating pad, and some Olympic-caliber spooning, Lisa drifted off to sleep in my arms wearing her CPAP mask. I thought back to the last two times we shared a bed. The first time she was all dressed up with her hair and makeup done, the second time she was naked and sweaty, her cheeks flushed, giving her a post-coital radiance. Today, she was curled against me in baggy pajamas, clutching a heating pad to her abdomen while wearing an oxygen mask. For reasons that became clearer every moment I spent with her, she never looked more beautiful.
"I love you, Lisa," I whispered softly in her ear.
“I love you too,” she whispered back.
Surprised that she responded, I sat up and looked at her. She was still asleep…or at least I thought she was. "Lisa?" I whispered again. No answer. Maybe I misheard her. Maybe she didn't say anything, and my brain manifested the response I wanted.
Lisa shifted deeper into my arms and mumbled in her sleep.
Yeah, I misheard her. She was wearing her sleep mask and was high as a kite from those painkillers.
I imagined it.
