Page 58 of Guarding Glenda

“I don’t need that shit. Just need to be sure I’m all clear.”

He excused the nurse, leaned on the counter, and put his hands on his hips. “She’s still fragile, Leigh. I’m not gonna tell you not to touch her, since you already have.” He paused, putting his hand up when I opened my mouth, “But the last thing either of you need is any complications. Keep it wrapped up.”

“Just do the tests, doc. I need to get in touch with Manny. He can come get that hospital bed.”

“Last I heard he was still suspended but I don’t imagine it would be much longer. They stay understaffed. Just shoot him a text. Wasn’t he prospecting? Anyway, she’ll be in shortly to draw your labs. I need to get to the next patient or I’ll be here all night.” He grabbed the ointment, handing it to me. “And take this.”

I took the small tube and waited for the nurse to return.

Once she was done, I pulled the bandage off my arm and tossed it on my way out.

I walked back into the waiting room and there she was, reading a magazine, her foot shaking a mile a minute.

“Everything all good?” I asked.

She smiled up, but it seemed forced. “Yeah. Everything’s great.”

She tossed the magazine down and stood so I took her hand. She threaded her fingers into mine, and I gently squeezed. It felt so natural but also still unbelievable. Glenda was walking hand in hand with me, in public, her body close to mine like she wanted to be near me.

I opened her door as we made it to the truck and she climbed in. I walked around and did the same, starting the engine.

Once we were back on the road, I finally asked, “You sure you’re okay? You seem tense.”

“Just don’t like doctors. Doctor’s offices. Medical stuff in general, I guess.”

“What did Sam say?” I asked.

“Well, he probably told you already anyway, so still no driving for now, and no bike rides. He wants me to go a while without an episode.”

Looking at the time, I noticed it was already after five. “We’ll call that other doc first thing, get you scheduled.”

“Leigh?”

“Yeah, baby?”

“Can we go by the grocery store?”

Nodding, I said, “Sure. You need something?”

“I appreciate all the takeout but I need some normalcy. A routine. Sam did say I can do chores and stuff, so cooking is a good start.”

“You’re not my maid and you don’t need to be working at the clubhouse.”

“Okay, so I’ll get a job then.”

Glancing over, she was staring, her hazel eyes calm and her face neutral.

“You’re not serious. You’re not getting a job.”

“Um, I’m sorry. When did you become my boss?” Her pitch went up a notch.

My head jerked back in her direction. “Your boss? I didn’t say–”

She put her hand up. “You just did. You didn’t ask me if I wanted to not get a job, you said I wasn’t. I didn’t just have this epiphany to fall right back into some fucked up relationship where I have no say over anything, Leigh.”

“Look,” I said, blowing a heavy breath. “I’m not trying to boss you around. I’m trying to tell you I’ll take care of you. Everything. I’ll cook, I already clean my house so I don’t need you to do that. And I have plenty of money. You want something, you can have it.”

She sighed, then stared out the window, not speaking.