“You were doing too much on that little bed. I didn’t want you to break it!”
She scoffed. “Dad would’ve bought you a new one, and it probably would’ve been bigger and better than the original.”
“So, you cooked up the bright idea to pretend to be afraid of thunderstorms so you could sleep in my bed?”
“That’s right.”
I snorted derisively. “Nori’s right. You are a dumbass. You could’ve jumped in my bed while I was at school. I wouldn’t have been none the wiser.”
“Nah. I couldn’t chance it. You made your bed up with military precision. You would’ve known.”
Jesus….
“Anything else you want to confess?”
“Yes, but I’ll save that for when I’m on my next deathbed.”
“Awesome. When are you being released?” I asked, sliding my fingers through hers.
“According to the doctor, I’ll be out of here terrorizing my wife in a week if I’m lucky.”
I’m sure Nori’s looking forward to it.
“What does your recovery look like?”
“I’ll be on bed rest for a week or two. After that, no strenuous activity for two additional weeks and plenty of physical and emotional therapy. Along with a boatload of couples counseling. We’re not currently having problems, but I don’t want the trauma to get us off track. Nori’s angry and scared, and I think a part of her is upset with me for not seeming to be as affected as she is. It hasn’t quite settled in yet, you know?” I nodded. “It will eventually, but for now, I’m just happy to see another day.”
“We’re happy you’re here, too. I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost my little flying squirrel.”
“Kiyah, it’s been over two decades. You’re gonna have to let that shit go.”
“I’d never seen anyone fly through the air in slow motion before.” I lifted my hand and demonstrated how Daisy’s body sailed from the back of the couch and crashed and burned.
“Get out,” she groaned. “Wait, don’t go. When are you going back to Austin?”
“I’m not. I resigned.”
“Did something happen?”
“Yeah, you got shot. By the way, is it cool if I crash with you and Nori while y’all recover? I’ll do the household chores, grocery shopping, cooking, and laundry. I can also drive y’all to your appointments.”
Daisy smiled gently.
“That’s unexpected. I thought for sure you would’ve wanted to return home to Grant.”
“Dais—”
“He wants you back, Kiyah.”
“I’m sure,” I said, rolling out of the cramped hospital bed.
“It’s the truth.”
“Mhm. I’m assuming Nori is staying with you until you’re discharged, right?”
“Yeah, I can’t get that psycho to go home.”
“If you want, I can swing by your place and grab toiletries and clothes for you two.”
