“My hand’s almost strong enough to use a crutch. Sheesh, I didn’t think I’d ever feel excited about using a crutch.”

Kat could tell her brain was healing faster than her body. She got fewer headaches, and the brain fog thinned more every day. However, there was little change in her foot except for reduced swelling. It still hurt, a constant ache. Most of the time, all she did was lie on the couch, dozing and waiting for the next dose of painkillers. One week in, and she already loathed the cast. Five more would be torture.

She flexed her hand, taking solace in its recovery.

“Hm? Oh, yeah, you’ll be a lot more mobile, then,” Darius said distractedly from the kitchen behind her, preparing lunch.

“Yep. Instead of having to crawl or be carried, I’ll be able to move at a pace just faster than a snail.” Kat slid her hand through the air as a demonstration, imagining the comparative, mobile freedom that would bring. It brought a smile to her face just thinking about it. She was doing her best to be patient, but it was difficult, being so sedentary and trapped by her body’s limitations.

“I don’t think you should rush it. There are still bruises on your arm.” Darius pointed out as he set a steaming bowl of spaghetti on the coffee table. He placed the silverware beside it, arranging for two like he did for every meal. No matter what he might have been working on, he was very dutiful in making meals for her and eating with her. Kat told him it was unnecessary, but he wouldn’t hear of it.

Now that she was more alert, he hovered around her slightly less, and she’d heard him doing some voice work upstairs while she read or watched movies with earbuds in. She was grateful for the entertainment, but having company helped cheer her up the most. When things got too quiet, especially at night, her fears about the future threatened to smother her.

The days were easier. She was pleased with how her hand and head were improving. Today, she’d even read a few pages before getting a headache.

“The bruises are going all colorful, so they’ll be gone soon. I might be a novice about broken bones, but I know bruises, trust me.” Kat said, demonstrating her recovery by slowly flexing her right hand.

“The doctor said two weeks for your arm and hand,” Darius pointed out doubtfully. “And it’s only been one.”

“He said it could be as long as two weeks. And I won’t be climbing around or anything, just swinging a crutch. If it hurts, I’ll stop.” She promised, amused by his fussing.

“Mmhm.” He sat on the couch next to her, and they started eating. “Your head is definitely doing better; you’re much sharper.”

“Thank you. I still feel a little crazy sometimes when I realize you’ve already told me something.” Kat admitted, swallowing a bite of spaghetti. “But it’s much easier to keep up now.”

“You’re doing great. You’ll be back to normal in no time. I just don’t want you to risk reinjury by rushing to use the crutches.” He tapped his fork against his bowl.

“You should be jumping for joy!” Kat pointed out. “As soon as I can walk, even a little, you don’t have to do all this work for me. I can go back to my apartment and do normal human things again, like microwaving food and limping to the bathroom,” she said dramatically, arranging the bowl on her lap. She’d improved at using her hand but didn’t quite trust herself enough not to flick sauce everywhere.

Oh, she looked forward to being able to take care of herself again.

She longed to be home. As grateful as she was to Darius, she missed seeing other humans. Cami would probably have gotten her an exotic dessert and Jonas would probably have dropped by with a pal or two to rib her about how this would stop her from applying at the trampoline park.

Then there was work. Who had been covering for her at Cake Pop? Was Staci handling things in her absence? And what about her family?

Kat knew she should have called her parents. Her broken phone was a convenient excuse, but still only an excuse. She could have borrowed Darius’s, but he said the reception was spotty, and the best places to make calls were out a little ways from his cabin. So, he had to make any calls. Another convenient excuse to postpone calling her parents... Maybe Cami had told them? Though Cami still hadn’t answered a call all week.

Is she okay?

“I told you I don’t mind helping out,” Darius said, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“And I appreciate it.” She smiled at him warmly but stayed firm. “That’s why it’s about time I start taking care of myself for a while. I’m in enough favor-debt as it is. I’ll have to do something seriously nice for you, and I don’t know what that will be, but whatever it is, it’ll be easier once I can hobble.”

“...Well, the crutch is still a few days out.” Darius looked away, holding his mostly empty bowl. “You’re probably getting cabin fever, though, huh?”

“Definitely,” Kat said with feeling. “It gets old pretty fast, sitting around for days at a time.” She admitted, feeling a now familiar touch of sadness at her condition. She looked up guiltily. “Oh— not that it hasn’t been nice watching movies and stuff with you. I know you’ve been going out of your way to spend time with me.”

“It’s been my pleasure. I was thinking I could help you outside today if you like. It might help to have a change of scenery.” Darius offered. “The weather’s supposed to get super rainy in a few days, but it’s nice and sunny now.”

“Ooh, that’d be great, but only if you’re not busy with anything else.” Kat knew that she must look awfully excited about the prospect. She wanted to feel the wind and sun on her skin.

Darius’s expression was fond. “Never too busy for you, my dear heart.”

Kat’s stomach twisted at the nickname and his ready compliance.

“Let me know if you want a break or don’t feel like helping,” She said. “You can say no! I won’t get mad.”

“Don’t worry about it, Kat. I like helping you. Because I like you.” He winked, and the twisty butterfly feeling in her gut intensified, her face redder than the tomato sauce.

After dinner, Darius carried her to the back porch and set her on a faded yet serviceable lounge chair. For several peaceful minutes, Kat contentedly enjoyed the wind on her skin and pretended she was lying down because she wanted to and not because she had to. She and Darius watched the sun sink behind the distant trees in a brilliant splash of red and gold and talked until bedtime.

#

The next few days crawled by, stitched together by a routine of meals, medications, and bathroom trips. Darius continued to fill the time with card games, movies, and conversation. It staved off the worst of the gnawing boredom, but what really brightened her spirits was the discovery that she could move her hand freely.

“Good news!” Kat flexed her fingers and curled them into her palm. “I think my hand’s strong enough for the crutch. It doesn’t hurt at all, even when I twist it!” She grinned at Darius as he refilled her water bottle.

“Oh! That’s… great, darling, excellent news,” he said distractedly.

“And it’s just in time for the doctor’s appointment. Then I can pick up the crutch and go back to my apartment.” Kat smiled triumphantly. “I can be a human again!”

Darius tapped his nail on the edge of the sink, his back to her. “There are a few things we should talk about. I don’t think you should go back to that apartment.”

Kat’s smile dimmed. “What do you mean?”

“It’s your landlord’s fault that you fell. There could be a lawsuit.”

 Kat knew that there were still many things she needed to work out, but a lawsuit hadn’t crossed her mind. “I’m not suing Mr. Walker. The accident was my fault. I do need to talk to him, though.” She cursed her forgetful brain. She hadn’t memorized Mr. Walker’s number, so she’d have to go through Cami or e-mail him.

“Oh no, he’s probably been trying to contact me.” She realized with growing alarm. “Do you think that’s why Cami hasn’t been answering? What if she got evicted after the accident?” “I’m so stupid- I should have started clearing this up days ago. Ah—”

The pain in her head spiked as she began to stress. She rubbed her temple around the scar, where her pulse pounded like a painful drum.

Darius hurried over and crouched beside her, his hand hovering by her shoulder. “Precious, this is why you’re not supposed to worry about things! I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“I have to call Mr. Walker and Cami.” Kat protested, wincing as she sat up again. Frustration clawed at her as much as pain. “Or at least message them to make sure everything is alright.”

Darius sighed. “Everything IS alright, sweetling. Remember, I told you I’m taking care of it. I’ve left Cami messages, and I’ll look up the number and call Mr. Walker later, okay? You tell me everything that needs to happen, and I’ll make it happen. Do you need some ice for your head?” He asked.

“I... I should call him. If you look up the apartment building number, I can borrow your phone during the drive to the doctor and clear everything up,” she said, rubbing her temples. Having a plan eased her mind, even if she wasn’t looking forward to filling out more paperwork. What was wrong with her that she hadn’t already sorted all of this out?

 Darius’s expression grew distant. A beat passed, and he stood up, turning away, his movements stiff.

“Right. Of course. I’ll bring you some fresh clothes so you can get dressed, and while you’re doing that, I’ll clean up the van. Sound good?”

“Yeah. Sounds great.” Kat exhaled in relief.