“Are you ready for lunch?” Dr. Clarke asks.
I give another nod, and he does the same.
“Then I’ll walk with you back to your room.”
“I’d still like to see the gardens after lunch,” I admit as I step out of Lana’s office.
“Of course,” he tells me, glancing back at Owen and nodding his head. “We’ll make sure someone’s ready to take you outside when you’re done.”
Another grunt comes out of Owen.
“He’s on it,” Lana says. “See you later, Robin.”
I nod at Lana and then I follow the handsome doctor back to my room.
“Eat as much as you can,” he reminds me as he opens the door. “I’d rather not have to put you back on a drip.”
“I know. I will,” I promise, even if it feels weird to keep eating like I have been considering how tight my only set of clothes are. If I put on any more weight, my ass is going to jiggle like my boobs do now.
I step into the room, and he follows.
I feel like groaning.
Is he going to watch to make sure I eat?
The thought makes my stomach churn.
He stays near the door, handle still in hand. “Don’t forget your meds. You need the full course, or your infection might come back.”
“I remember,” I reply, as I get to the table and lift the lid on the tray of food.
“You’ll be doing well enough by the end of the week if you remember to take them over the next few days. You’re almost done with your course.”
I barely manage to hold back a sigh.
Another whole week in this windowless room?
I’m going to be driven absolutely crazy by then.
“Could you make sure I’m allowed to go for a walk after lunch every day?” I ask as I pick the green apple off the tray.
He nods. “Of course.”
“I’ll remember my meds, and I won’t forget to eat.”
He seems happy with that, and I’m happy to have a chance to get some fresh air every day.
I take a bite of the apple when he leaves. It tastes good, so I keep eating until I have nothing but the core left in my hand. I place that piece down and pick up one half of the ham sandwich.
I eat it slowly, fighting the urge to put it down.
My stomach will revolt if I take the meds without food.
Every bite I eat helps. I finish it, and then I take my meds with a glass of water.
I’m not sure how easy it’s going to be to keep eating like this once I don’t have the pressure of a doctor and the thought of meds making me sick, but I know it’s important.
Colleen underfed me for a reason.
