“You want me to do your hair, then you can do the rest?” she asked.
I nodded.
She cupped my chin. “I’m a medical professional, buddy. Remember that. None of this should bother you.”
“Well, the fact you’re washing my privates is kinda humiliating.”
“Pretty sure you can handle your privates, big man.” She smiled gently. “Well, other than one armpit.”
I let out a quiet grunt.
“Would you rather have Hatch do it?” she challenged.
“Hell, no.”
She chuckled, grabbing the handheld shower sprayer, and washing my hair. Once that was done, she gave me some privacy so I could finish up, staying within shouting distance.
It took me far too long and a shit ton out of me to finish, but I did it and I did it alone.
“I’m done, Katie,” I called, and she reached in and turned off the water. She then handed me a towel from around the curtain and waited for me to dry off. Well, as much as I could sittin’ on a wet shower chair.
“You ready for me to get Hatch?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I breathed out.
After the ‘committee’ finished assisting me with my shower, I was wiped out, so I was settled (forcibly) into a recliner in the family room by Hatch.
“I’ve cleaned out your portable urinal and tidied up your bedroom a bit, so I’m going to head out,” Katie said. “Call or text if you need anything, okay?”
“Thanks sweetheart,” I said, giving her a tired smile.
She grabbed her coat and walked out the door and I closed my eyes. The drugs I’d taken earlier started to kick in, especially after the exertion of the shower. They did not, however, block out the screech of my sister’s voice as she entered the house soon after I’d fallen asleep.
I startled awake and sighed. “Angelica,” I hissed.
She came rushing into the room, followed by my mother and sister, Francesca. She was closest to me in age and working in fashion.
In New York.
“Frankie?” I frowned. “You’re supposed to be in New York.”
“Well, when my baby brother nearly gets murdered, I get my ass on a plane and come home,” she sassed, leaning down to kiss my cheek.
“Language, Francesca,” Mom admonished.
“Sorry, Mamma,” she said, then mouthing to me,“Asshole.”
“You weren’t supposed to be told about this at all,” I complained.
“Well, therein lies the problem,” Frankie admonished. “I would have been here sooner, but Angelica threatened Bianca with death if she told me before the show, which went off without a hitch, so yay me, but still, you should have told me immediately. Not cool, Pastrami.”
I sighed.
“You four visit,” Maisie said. “I’ll make some tea.”
“You don’t need to do that,” I said. “They won’t be staying long.”
“Razor,” Maisie said, meeting my eyes. “Your mother has taken the time to come and visit. She’ll stay as long as she needs. Right, love?”
