I’ll ask,I text back.
I wait until I hear the water shut off, then knock gently on the bathroom door. “Sloane?”
“Yeah?” Her voice is muffled but stronger than before.
“What are your sizes? Clothes, shoes. Lucy’s arranging something for you to wear.”
A pause. Then a wet laugh. “Um. Large or extra-large for tops, depending on the brand. Size sixteen jeans. Shoes are nine. And tell her—” She hesitates. “Bra is 38DD. She’ll know what underwear to get.”
I relay the information to Aldar, trying not to think too hard about the specifics.
My cousin responds almost immediately.Lucy says she’ll handle it. There’s a Walmart nearby. I’m going now.
You’re going to Walmart?
Lucy has a list. She says Sloane will want specific things.
I can almost hear Lucy’s voice through Aldar’s texts, directing him with the same fierce efficiency she’s shown throughout this entire crisis. My quiet, tech-obsessed cousin, a very large orc who normally barely speaks to any human he doesn’t have to, is about to march into a Walmart and buy women’s underwear because a human librarian in DC told him to.
I don’t know whether to laugh or be impressed.
The nurse leaves to check on an emergency call to another room on the floor. I assure her I’ll care for Sloane.
The water turns off. “Jonus,” her voice cries out. I immediately enter and find my female peeking out the side of the plastic curtain, her hair wet and dripping.
“The nurse had to leave,” I inform her as I hand her a towel and then exchange that for the robe. Finally, I push aside the curtain, put the wheeled IV stand in Sloane’s capable hand, and slowly carry her back to the hospital bed.
She looks exhausted but cleaner. Lighter somehow, like she’s washed away more than just dirt.
“Better?” I ask.
“So much better.” She sinks onto the edge of the bed, and I help her swing her legs up, careful of her bandaged feet. “I used all the hot water. I don’t even care.”
“You can use all the hot water you want.”
She smiles, and it reaches her eyes this time. “Aldar’s really going to Walmart?”
“Apparently. Lucy gave him a list.”
Sloane laughs, a real laugh, and the sound of it does something to my chest. “Oh god. Poor Aldar. Lucy’s lists are legendary. She’s probably got him organized by aisle.”
“He didn’t seem to mind.”
“No.” She tilts her head, considering. “No, I don’t suppose he would.” A knowing look crosses her face. “How often did you say they’ve been talking?”
“Several times a day. For six days.”
“Hmm.”
I help her settle back against the pillows, then pull the blanket up over her. She’s still in the hospital robe, but at least she’s clean. The IV stand is back in it’s original position and drips steadily, antibiotics fighting the infection in her feet.
“Aldar should be back soon,” I tell her. “Then you can change into real clothes.”
“Real clothes.” She sighs, like it’s a luxury. After twelve days in the same torn, filthy outfit, I suppose it is. “That sounds amazing.” Her eyes are getting heavy. “Lucy always knows what I need, even when I don’t.”
Forty minuteslater I meet Aldar in the hallway as he returns with two Walmart bags. His expression can only be described as shell-shocked.
“That store is enormous,” he states flatly, handing me the bags. “And Lucy made me send her photos of every option before I could purchase anything. Apparently, there are significant differences between underwear styles that I was not previously aware of.”
