章節 15: What a Pain
"I'm not using that," Rylee protested, facing the wheelchair with defiance.
"We aren't leaving until you do," Zane argued.
"Can't I just use a pair of crutches?"
"The stitches are on your hip, Ry. You're lucky they are discharging you at all. Stop being stubborn and get in the dang chair!"
The two stood face to face, glaring each other time. Finally Rylee surrendered, delicately dropping herself into the waiting seat. She wouldn't admit how much even that movement hurt. Giving Zane any more leverage against her was torture.
"Can't you get Tara to help next time? I feel like having you escort me sends the wrong message," she groaned. She kept her head down, cheeks pink with embarrassment.
"What type of message? It was my fault your injured, I'm making sure I at least get you home."
"Just don't look like a doting boyfriend or something. I might die of shame."
"Psh, you would be lucky to date me. I am a prime dating specimen!" Zane bragged with a grin. She reached up and punched his arm over her shoulder. He yelped in surprise. "What was that for?!"
"Just doing my duty and bringing you back down to reality before your head gets too big. I'm surprised you can fit through doorways as it is."
The banter made her heart feel lighter, but she couldn't continue for long. She was exhausted and couldn't wait to get home and sleep.
At the front desk, she was handed a mountain of papers. There were instructions on her medication, notes on her visit, and then a follow up appointment later in the week. While she hadn't needed surgery yet, they wanted to reevaluate some of the damage to her leg once it started healing. Then there were a million stitches that would need to be removed...
Rylee needed help getting into the vehicle, but was saved the indignity if being lifted in at least. Zane let her use him for support, and her upper body strength helped with the rest. When the chair was folded in the back of the rental, they made the short drive back to her apartment. Tara was there
to meet them, and soon had Rylee settled into bed with Bandit by her side.
"Make sure your ready in the morning before I have to leave. I'm taking you to hang out with Evan while I'm at work."
This caught Rylee off guard. "Evan? When did you decide this?"
"Yesterday when I dropped him off. Maybe you can help him with his art a little since his good arm is busted," Tara said it casually but Rylee saw through it.
"And how did you talk him into this?"
"By telling him what I told you. Just one day, okay? Tomorrow I have the morning off so I can be here at least but I'm not leaving you by yourself in the meantime. What if you try to get a cup and split your stitches open?" Rylee wanted to argue, but the statement wasn't that implausible. "It'll put my mind at ease, okay? Now get some rest." She exited, turning off the light as she went.
With the room in darkness, Rylee felt her fatigue catch up to her. But the bandages and stitches made it hard to get comfortable. She couldn't toss and turn like normal, and she wanted to scratch her side like crazy. To distract herself, she reached for her phone, and navigated to the forum. RogueOwl hadn't replied yet, surprisingly, so she looked at a few other threads instead.
//Hey Sparrow, are we posting tonight?//
ShAdowClaw had spotted her.
//I don't think so. My muse is hiding.// She didn't want to give details on the accident, and the pain meds made it hard to string two words together.
Thankfully, the other players were understanding. No one seemed to argue with her excuse.
//No worries. Don't work too hard!//
That small statement brought out a wave of anxiety in her. Everyone knew she was insanely busy between the two jobs, so it was a natural thing to say. But Rylee still hadn't spoken to her bosses directly. She was extremely fearful about her future and the long term consequences of this injury. Working retail meant running back and forth across the store, or standing for long hours at the register. And the burger place was even more work, with all the physical labor involved. Any of the normal lifting she did could destroy her stitches in a single motion. She didn't want to imagine how expensive repairing subsequent injuries could be.
Just hearing the light hearted comment made her aware of her own emotions. She had debts to pay, rent, and just because she wouldn't get fired didn't mean she could miraculously fill that income gap. Plus, Tara made even less than her. Rylee couldn't give her all of that responsibility.
She would have to convince her jobs to let her work as soon as possible. There was no other way.
Maybe Tara was on the right track having her spend the day with Evan. At least he understood the stress she was feeling, and maybe she could actually help make his transition easier. He couldn't do art with his damaged arm, so he must feel a little trapped too. But did he feel the same bone crushing sensation of loneliness? The terrorizing realization someone else held your future in their hands?
Her light turned on, and Tara reentered, shoving a cup of water and a bottle of sleep medicine into her hands. The knowing look she has made her feel like she was naked and vulnerable.
"Eventually you have to learn to trust again," she whispered. She took Rylee's phone and plugged it into the charger then waited for her to swallow the meds. With the empty glass, she exited again, like a ghost absorbed in the night. Once again, her best friend had her back, reminding her it would be okay.
Before she knew it her eyes were too heavy and she drifted off to sleep.
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