He read about the bovine digestive track, then the cardiovascular system. He skipped the reproductive organs, not wanting to remind Zef of their current state. Expounding on the text, Bryce told them personal stories of treating cows, sheep, and goats.
“I can treat most any animal,” he said, “but I’m specialized in farm animals, given I live in a rural area.”
“I liked the video you sent of the baby goats,” they murmured. “When they were playing and jumping around.”
“When you visit in July, there might be a few babies left, but most will be grown.”
“Read more,” they said, so he did.
He read until his voice went hoarse, and then kept reading. Zef drifted in and out of sleep, waking every time the bottle had cooled and Bryce needed to refill it. They spent the next few days that way, Bryce on the floor beside their bed, reading or talking while they listened. At some point, one of Zef’s fingers had started tracing barely-there designs over the back of Bryce’s neck. It sparked goosebumps, but they didn’t stop.
Late Saturday, the end of their cycle approached, and their discomfort turned to genuine pain as their cramps amped up. They whimpered and shifted fitfully on the mattress, and Bryce set aside his book, a fictional Western romance, and spun from his butt to his knees.
“I think it’s time to get you to the bathroom,” he said, and Zef shook their head. “Zef, it’s gonna happen whether you want it to or not. Let me run you a hot bath.”
“I hate it,” they said as a tear snaked down their cheek. “I hate it, Bryce.”
“I know, baby. I’m sorry.” He smoothed their greasy hair with a light touch. “But let’s just get through it, okay? I’m gonna fill the tub.”
With a resigned nod, they buried their face in their pillow, breath hitching on a sob.
Once the water was hot, he stoppered the drain and headed back to the bedroom. Zef was already struggling to sit up, the right strap of theircamisole slumping over their shoulder. Their shorts had ridden up higher on their thighs, and the fabric between their legs was splotched dark purple.
Ignoring the blood, Bryce offered his hands, palms up. “Need help?”
Their top hands shook as they came to rest in his, but before they could try to stand, another wave of pain rolled over them. They yelped, curling on themself as their wings flared and rattled furiously.
“Shit,” they cursed through clenched teeth. “It is happening quicker than expected.”
“Can I carry you?” he asked, and they whimpered. “Just to the bath. I won’t if you don’t want me to, but—”
“Yes. Okay, fine. Yes.” They nodded, and Bryce moved, wanting to get it over with as quickly as possible for their sake.
They were ramrod stiff as he hooked one arm across their back but under their wings, the other under their knees, and easily scooped them up. Light and fragile, they fit perfectly, but discomfort radiated from them like heat off asphalt. He’d dreamt of holding them this way, but not like this. His heart cracked down the middle as he quickly, but carefully, carried them into the bathroom.
“You’re safe,” he whispered over and over again as their wings batted against his arm. “It’s just me. You’re safe, sweetheart.”
Not wanting to waste time or risk their modesty, he simply set them in the tub still in their clothes, and they sank into the water without complaint. The fabric clung to their body, but Bryce looked away, busying himself with retrieving their robe and a clean towel.
Curled on their side once more, they gripped the edge of the tub and watched him, their knuckles bleaching. “This part is unpleasant,” they said. “I do not want you to see.”
“I don’t mind blood,” he said, trying for levity as he made a scooping motion with his hand. “Arm inside a sheep’s vagina, remember?”
They cracked a small smile. “Then, for my sake. For my dignity.”
“Zef,” he sighed their name.
“Please,” they whispered.
“Okay. I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
He didn’t fully shut the door, leaving it open a crack so he could easily re-enter if the need arose. Since the sheets were soaked in sweat and spotted in blood, he stripped their bed and remade it with clean bedding. He opened the window wide to let in some fresh air as he gathered the discarded laundry from the past week and shoved a load into the washer.
Back in their room, he wiped down the headboard and the side table, settling the lamp back on top. Zef whimpered in the bathroom, and water sloshed. He thought of their dignity and retrieved the vacuum. He swept their carpet longer than necessary, wanting to offer them a noise shield so they could make sounds without worry.
He swept the living room next, then the hallway. Leaving the vacuum in his room for later, he hurried back to their room and shut their window, so it didn’t get too cold as the shower sputtered to life in the bathroom. They showered for a long time, and Bryce reheated the soup Toni had brought, portioning two bowls.
By the time the shower shut off, Bryce had finished his soup, and he brought the tray holding Zef’s soup, fresh tea, a glass of ice water, and the bouquet of flowers he had bought into the bedroom. He set the tray on the desk, then moved the vase to the side table beside the lamp. The tea went beside the flowers, and he left the soup and water cup on the tray.
