I spend the rest of the morning fussing over Izzy while I wait for Doc to get here. She looks so fragile, hooked up to all the machines, with a sadness in her eyes that never used to be there.
Not wanting to overload her, I make some soup for lunch, which she eats about half of.
I have questions about the phone call she made, but I’m nervous to push her. She could pull away from me so easily.
When Doc knocks on the bedroom door and pokes his head in, his relief is obvious when he sees Izzy awake and smiling at something I said.
That is, until she notices him and her whole body starts trembling like a leaf. Her smile disappears, only to be replaced by absolute terror.
“Izzy,” I start, keeping my voice low, soothing, “this is Doc. He just wants to check you over and see if you’re ready to be unhooked from all the monitors.”
She shakes her head, sucking in air in shallow breaths.
I motion with my head for Doc to leave, which he does immediately.
The tension in Izzy dissipates as soon as the door closes behind him.
Slowly, carefully, I step closer to her, crouching down to her level and resting my elbows on the bed.
“You need to let him look at you,Cuore mio.”
Her eyes are glassy when she looks at me.
“I know.” She blows out a breath. “It’s just… I’m scared.” She fiddles with the blankets.
I take her hands in mine, rubbing soothing circles with my thumbs. “No one will ever hurt you when I’m around. I swear it.”
Izzy takes a shuddered breath in and out before determination schools her features. “Okay.”
I wait a moment, searching for any lingering hesitation, before nodding. “Okay.”
Stepping towards the door, Doc’s waiting on the other side when I open it. There’s no impatience, just a kind, weathered smile.
I step out of the way, letting him pass into the room and he cautiously moves towards Izzy.
“Hi, Isolde,” he says, eyes crinkling in the corners. “How are you today?”
She looks up at me with wide eyes and I immediately come to stand beside her, taking her hand in what I hope is a reassuring gesture.
She turns back to Doc. “Hi,” she whispers shyly. “I’m… I don’t know what I am.”
Doc remains completely professional. “That’s understandable. Any physical pain?”
She shakes her head then winces. “I’m a little sore.”
“Sore where?”
She squirms uncomfortably.
Doc chuckles quietly. “Okay. I get you. Anywhere else?”
She relaxes visibly, shoulders dropping some more of the tension in her body.
“I just ache all over.”
Doc nods his head. “Well, your bruising is healing well, it should be gone completely in a couple of weeks. You have some cracked ribs, but those should heal quickly with rest.”
He mentally ticks off his list of things he needs to say to her as he goes through her injuries, detailing the recovery period. “This is probably the last thing on your mind, but I’ll say it anyway.” He hesitates. “With the stitches, they will dissolve on their own, but you should avoid any sexual intercourse for the next two to three weeks to avoid pain or tearing.”
