The Knight and the Golden Flower
Chapter 10
The next morning, Jeff found himself curled around Ana once again, but she lay there quietly squeezing his forearm rhythmically.
"Sorry," Jeff said, but he made no move to roll away.
"I feel like a baby bird," she said. "I know it is time to leave the nest today, but if I do not open my eyes, the day will not begin, and I will not have to face the world alone just yet."
Jeff gave her a little squeeze. "You're gonna be fine," he said, "but we don't have to get up right away." He rested his cheek on her hair, and after a while, her breath slowed and he knew she had fallen asleep again.
He lay there, drifting in half-sleep, trying not to think. Jeff just wanted to soak in all the peace he could from their last night together. The moment couldn't last forever though, and eventually his bladder let him know it was time to get up, or else. He tried to get out of bed quietly, but the after affects of a particularly bad bump he'd taken the night before were making themselves known. He rolled out of bed with a groan and limped his way to the bathroom.
When he returned, Ana was awake and gathering her things. She said good morning and then slipped into the bathroom. Jeff dropped back down on the bed with another groan. He was glad to faintly hear her singing over the sound of the shower a few moments later. It was a vast improvement over the weeping he'd overheard only a day ago.
Eventually the shower turned off and Ana poked her head out the door, looking for help with her sleeves again. Jeff tried to sit up casually, but didn't even make it halfway up before dropping back down to the bed.
"Let me try this again," he said. This time he rolled himself over with a hiss of pain and landed on all fours next to the bed.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah," he answered, not getting up. "I'm just gonna stay here for a while. Figure shit out."
"I never would have guessed you practiced yoga meditation," Ana joked lightly. She came to help him stand, offering her good arm. Jeff looked at it for a moment, steeling himself before grasping her arm and pulling himself up with great effort. Ana was nearly dragged down in the process.
"Thanks," he said, straightening slowly with another groan which turned into a yawn midway through. He turned to help her with her sleeves and this time, he was in too much pain to feel embarrassed.
"This is what I get for showing off," Jeff groaned. "I think someone ran me over with an elephant in my sleep."
"Is it always this bad?" Ana asked concerned.
"Not always," Jeff replied. "Sometimes, though. Matt's only had to scrape me off the floor a few times. Usually it's just after ladder matches. They can be really brutal. But sometimes, even a regular ol' match will get me. See? It's a good thing you're here 'cause I don't think Matt was planning on coming back to the motel last night. I could've been stuck on the floor forever." Jeff limped his way back to the bathroom. "Hot water will help. Why don't you pick us up some breakfast," he said, tossing her his wallet and keys, then closing the bathroom door before she could utter a sound.
She'd looked so stunned. Jeff quietly waited for the sound of the outer door. He didn't want to be mean, but this was something of a test he'd set for her. He'd been by her side since she'd been hurt, but they were supposed to part ways soon, and he needed to know that she would be okay on her own. More importantly, she needed to know it.
Finally, he heard the outer door close. Jeff opened the bathroom door cautiously to be sure she had gone, then limped over to the window. He peeked through the side of the curtain and watched Ana as she cautiously made her way to the car. She kept scanning the parking lot nervously as she unlocked the door and jumped in. He saw her hand hit the locks, then she rested her head on the steering wheel.
Jeff was proud of her. He knew she was afraid, but she wasn't going to let it stop her. He watched Ana drive away until she was out of sight, then he turned and limped his way back to the shower. He hadn't needed to fake being in pain for an excuse to send Ana out alone. He really had done himself in the night before.
Jeff grabbed a Vicodin out of his bag and washed it down with tap water before dragging himself into the shower.
* * *
Jeff waited nervously. What was taking Ana so long? He was regretting sending her out alone. He felt like a mother hen. He was too anxious to sit still, but he was too banged up to pace. So instead, he alternately sat on the bed or peered through the curtain. How long could it possibly take to grab some hot cakes from the McDonald's drive-through up the street?
His mind was conjuring up all sorts of mishaps that could have befallen her, each one more unlikely than the last, when Ana pulled back into the parking lot. Jeff watched her get out of the car and tried to gauge her emotional state. She looked tense, but not afraid, so Jeff figured it was a step in the right direction.
Ana came back carrying a paper grocery bag, which explained what had taken so long. He should have remembered that Ana didn't really do fast food. He opened the door for her. Jeff saw the tension in her shoulders instantly drain away and she smiled when she saw him.
"I just need one more thing from the car," she said, handing him the grocery bag. She went back and returned with her dishes and utensils. "This will just take a minute."
Ana unpacked the bag and even with her arm in a sling, she managed to prepare breakfast fairly quickly. In no time they settled down to a breakfast of fruit salad, cubed cheeses, and warm croissants fresh from the bakery. It was quite refreshing for Jeff, who was used to eating much heavier, greasier foods on the road.
"Ah, I could get used to this," Jeff said, leaning back. "You sure know how to give a guy the royal treatment."
Ana's brow furrowed in confusion. "But this is very simple food. I did not do much," she protested.
"Compared to what I usually eat, it's a royal feast," Jeff replied. He was about to say more, when he was interrupted by his phone. "It's the shop," he said, "Your car's ready."
They looked at each other soberly. It took Ana some time to gather her things, as over the last two days they'd settled into the room like it was a second home.
They picked up her car, and Test and Albert paid for the repairs though they didn't know it. "You're going to be all right, Ana," Jeff said. He pulled her into a hug, carefully wrapping his arms around his shoulders. "Soon you'll be home and you can put this all behind you."
"I'll never forget you," she said with tears in her eyes.
"Hey, you can always call me if you need me," he told her. "I'll always be here for you."
Ana gave Jeff a quick kiss on the cheek, and before she could give herself a chance to break down, she hopped in her car and drove away.
Jeff watched her go until she was out of sight, then made his way back to his motel. He had an hour before checkout time, and he used it to get his bags packed in his rental car. He had a flight to Indianapolis in a few hours. He stopped when his hand fell upon the dragon Ana had made. An unnamed longing fell over him, and he settled the dragon gently around his neck.
Ana was right. It was like having a little friend to keep him company.
Author's note: Keep an eye out for the follow up, Knight Falls, Gold Fades.