After her shower, Cassandra reapplied the ice pack to her leg. It didn’t tickle, but it didn’t hurt nearly as much as it did before.
“Better?” asked Cassandra.
Leanne nodded. “What time is it?”
“Just after nine. Let’s leave this on for a few minutes and then you can make your phone calls, ok?”
Leanne nodded again, and Cassandra left the room. A moment later, she heard the clanking of dishes down the hall in the kitchen. Soon afterward, Cassandra reappeared.
“Sorry I couldn’t help you clean up after breakfast,” said Leanne.
“Oh, that’s ok,” said Cassandra. “You’ll be able to do that soon enough, but by then I’m sure you’ll want to get home.”
“I would, but I’m not really sure if I have a home at the moment, but we’ll see.”
A note of concern crossed Cassandra’s features. “Is there someone you can stay with till you figure out what’s going on?”
“Oh, I know what’s going on. It’s just that as a waitress, one’s options are limited as to where they can live. I guess I’ll have to get a cheap studio apartment or something, but yes, I could probably stay with my parents or with my brother and sister-in-law until then.” After a while, she asked, “Has the ice been on long enough?”
“Yup,” Cassandra said, removing the ice pack and inspecting her leg.
“How’s it look?”
“Better, but still swollen.”
Leanne managed to push herself into an upright position on the bed. “It’s a good thing your place is all on one floor.”
“Yeah, that certainly helps. Ok, ready?”
Leanne nodded and Cassandra slowly pulled her up onto her good leg. She started to pitch forward, but Cassandra’s long, strong arms caught her by the waist and steadied her. Normally uncomfortable with the closeness of most people, especially those she barely knew, she found herself oddly turned on. She definitely could say she felt like she was in safe, capable hands.
“It’s also good that you’re tall and strong instead of shorter and wimpy like me, though I’m not usually that wimpy.”
Cassandra laughed. “What are you, five three, five four?”
“Five four and a half. You six feet?” Leanne asked as she was guided down into the master bedroom.”
“Not quite. Five ten. I brought you in here instead of to the kitchen phone, though I suppose I could’ve just handed you my cell phone.”
“That’s ok. Some movement must be good for me. Right, Nurse?”
Smiling Cassandra said, “It is, but not too much at first. If there is any kind of fracture or crack in the bone, we don’t want it moved around very much.”
“I’ll make it quick and be as convincing as I can be.”
“Thanks, Leanne. I really appreciate it. More than you know.”
“I hope I’ll know why someday.”
Cassandra simply shrugged after she seated Leanne on the edge of her bed.
This room, although much bigger than the guest room, was done up differently. Instead of bright colors, there were deep violets and blues throughout the room. All that was the same was the wine-colored carpet and rich mahogany furniture.
Leanne took a deep breath and dialed her parents’ number, surprised to find herself a bit nervous. Perhaps this was because she wasn’t in the habit of not being truthful with them.
Her mother answered, sounding wide awake and cheery.
“Hi, Mom,” Leanne said. She couldn’t see Cassandra from where she sat on the side of the bed, but was aware of her presence from where she sat at the foot of it.
“Leanne, honey, how are you?”
“Ok,”
“This is early for you. Everything alright?”
“Well, Kelli and I had a big fight and things are pretty much over for us.”
“Oh, no,” her mother moaned. “I’m sorry to hear that. But are you sure?”
“Yes, Mom, I’m sure.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. These things do happen, though.”
“I’m just calling to let you know I’m staying with a friend for now. Thought I’d hang out with her for a few days or so just to clear my head and then decide what to do next. I may have to stay with someone till I can save up enough to get into a studio or something like that.”
“Ok, dear. Do what you must do. Just keep us up to date.”
“Of course I will, Mom, but could you do me a huge favor and call Kelli for me? Just tell her what I told you and let her know I’ll be back in a week or so to start moving my stuff out. That way, she won’t think I’ve disappeared from the planet and go tossing things out in the alley. Besides, I think it would be easier if you called. If I call, we’ll probably just end up in a screaming match or something.”
“Ok, I can do that.”
“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it. I wouldn’t normally put this on you, but it’s definitely easier for me this way,” Leanne said, aware that her voice had become shaky with sorrow.
“Are you sure you’ll be ok?”
Leanne sniffled. “I’ll be fine, Mom. Give Dad a big hug for me and I’ll call you guys soon.”
Cassandra, looking a bit sad, took the phone and placed it back down on the nightstand by the bed. “So you were with Kelli for two years?”
“Yeah,” Leanne said, realizing that Cassandra knew they’d been more than just friends and that she didn’t care anyway at the moment. “Then she decided she must have kids the natural way, so she got herself a boyfriend at the gym she’s an instructor at.”
“Oh,” Cassandra simply said.
“I don’t know where the baby fever suddenly came from. As far as I knew, she was fine without kids and even found it beneficial, what with the costs and burdens they bring.”
“How old are you two?”
“We’re both twenty-nine. How old are you?”
“Thirty-seven.”
“Any kids?”
“One. He’s 18.”
“Oh yeah?”
Cassandra nodded as she began tidying up the bedroom. “He’s over in Europe on a college scholarship.”
“Oh, wow. That must be exciting. A little bit scary too, being so far from home. What’s he studying and what country is he in?”
Cassandra didn’t answer. Instead, she said, “I know you’re curious, hun, and I would be too, but I’m afraid I can’t answer personal questions at this time.”
“Oh, ok. No problem. Sorry if I was prying.”
“No, not at all. You’re not prying at all. It’s only natural to wonder about the person you’re staying with.”
Something then occurred to Leanne as she was being led back to the guestroom. “I think I figured it out, but don’t worry, you’re secret’s safe with me.”
“What is it you’ve figured out?” Cassandra asked, now the curious one.
“You’re running from a crazy ex, aren’t you?”
Cassandra smiled with a mixture of amusement and appreciation. “I wish it were that simple. If it were I could probably kick his ass or her ass bad enough to make them too afraid to even think of me, let alone come near me and make trouble for me, but unfortunately, my situation is much more complex and unique than that.”
“You said his or her. Are you bisexual or is that being too nosy?”
Again with a smile, this time one of amusement. “I’m bi, yes.”
“Well, what am I supposed to say when your boyfriend or girlfriend is around and they wonder who I am?”
“I’m single at the moment, and after all the shit I went through, which was similar to what you’re going through now, I’ll probably stay this way forever.”
Leanne was surprised to find herself disappointed by this revelation. “That bad, huh?”
Cassandra nodded. “For a while.”
The nurse eased her onto the bed and said, “I’ll bring you one of those water bottles with the pull-up spout. That way, you can drink lying down and you won’t have to move too much when you get thirsty.”
“Thanks, Nurse.”
Cassandra smiled as she rearranged the bedcovers around her.
“When do you work?” Leanne asked.
“Weekdays. Second shift.”
“That’s why you were on the road so late, huh?”
Cassandra nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“What am I going to do while you’re at work? I certainly can’t wet the bed when I need to pee. Any way you could get crutches for me?”
“I’d love to, but I don’t think I could get a pair home without being noticed and asked questions. I’ll try, though. Meanwhile, no, you won’t have to wet the bed. My mother will be happy to sit with you. She closes up shop right around the time I head to work anyway.”
“Does she know whatever your grand secret is?”
“Yes, she does, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t press her for details.”
Leanne found herself grinning almost mischievously and Cassandra seemed to notice. “Yes, ma’am. I promise not to utter a word.”
“Would you like a book to read?”
“That’d be nice.”
“What do you like to read?”
“I usually read mysteries, but in my situation, I understand I can’t be choosy. So surprise me.”
A moment later, Cassandra returned with a suspense novel by a popular author. “Oh, I love him,” said Leanne. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“No Kindle? I’m surprised people still read printed books.”
“I have a Kindle, but since I’m using it, you get stuck with the old-fashioned kind of book.”
“Oh, ok,” Leanne said with a laugh.
Once Cassandra left the room, Leanne wondered if the reason she seemed not to want to talk much was because of whatever trouble she may be in, or because she found her houseguest simply uninteresting.
Leanne opened her book and began to read. However, she was unable to focus on the story. Instead, her mind drifted to Kelli, but more so to the strange but lovely woman with whom she was temporarily staying. Leanne was surprised at just how much more she thought of the attractive nurse than she did Kelli.
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