Padding across the hospital room in her fuzzy socks, Sherilyn took small, cautious steps to the side of the bed. She placed her pillow beside Gilbert’s and then, carefully, climbed onto the bed to lie down next
to him.
She glanced up at him. “I didn’t bump into you, did I?”
“…No!” Gilbert snapped back to reality, his response firm and clear.
“Good.”
Reaching for the remote on the nightstand, Sherilyn turned on the TV mounted across from the bed. There wasn’t much else to do, and staring into each other’s eyes would just be awkward.
“What do you feel like watching?” she asked, wanting to pick something they could both enjoy.
“Anything’s fine.”
Gilbert was always easygoing with Sherilyn, especially now when he was over the moon just to be near her.
“Pick whatever you like. I’m here with you.”
“Alright.”
Flipping through channels, Sherilyn settled on a lively variety show. Serious programs or news just couldn’t hold her attention with her mind in such a mess.
“Let’s watch this.”
Carefully, Gilbert shifted closer until he could wrap his arms around Sherilyn.
She tensed up instantly. “Watch your wounds. They might reopen.”
“They won’t.” Gilbert held her tighter, insisting, “I just want to hold you.” He sounded almost pitiful. “It’s been days since I’ve held you.”
Sherilyn let him be, guessing this might happen when she decided to lie next to him.
Feeling her give in, Gilbert’s affection deepened, and he boldly pressed his cheek against hers. Wanting more, he nuzzled against her.
“Stop that,” Sherilyn snapped, slightly annoyed, “If you keep it up, I’m getting off this bed.”
“Don’t!” Gilbert tightened his grip, his voice filled with a plaintive tone. “I’m not doing anything wrong. I just miss you.”
Sherilyn gave him a meaningful look.
“Just bear with it for now. If you end up uncomfortable later, that’s on you. Why should I suffer with you?”
Gilbert was left speechless.
He felt rejected!
“Sherilyn.” He quickly reassured her, “Just wait for me. My wounds will heal soon. I won’t make you uncomfortable for long.”
For Sherilyn’s sake, he decided to behave.
Thanks to his youth and good
health, Gilbert’s recovery was swift. After a calm four or five days, his wounds were healing nicely, though they might leave scars due to reopening.
While changing his clothes, Sherilyn muttered something about the scars.
“What’s there to worry about?” Gilbert didn’t mind at all, “It’s just scars. Would you hold them against me?”
Sherilyn paused, then shook her head.
She suddenly remembered the mottled scars on his back. To him, scars really weren’t a big deal.
And those scars… where did they come from? Could they be related to a kidnapping from his childhood?
As the night deepened, Francis was driving to the hospital to visit Gilbert.
He was alone tonight, as Sylvia wasn’t feeling well and Caroline stayed home with the grandmother.
As his car approached an intersection, suddenly, a figure dashed across the road.
Screeching to a halt, David, the chauffeur, managed to stop the car just in time.
“Oh no, did we hit someone?”
Francis frowned, “Sawyer, check it out.”
“Yes!”
Sawyer and David got out of the car. After a
carryment, Sawyer came ba opening the car door for kem. g someone, with David el
Francis squinted, “Is it serious?”
“Mr. Francis, take a look. Do you recognize her?”
Sawyer bent down to place the
When turned to see, b person in the seat next to Francio et
could only tell it was a woman.
“Who is it?”