Her first night back at the townhouse, Liza got settled into the guest room again.
"Do you have everything?" Charles asked. He had her oxygen plugged in and all her medicine organized.
"You've been such a help, " Liza said. "I think I'm going to take a shower to wash the hospital off." She tried to get up, but was still dizzy. He noticed her stumbling and was quickly by her side.
"I guess I'm a little dizzy to stand," she mumbled. "Just give me a second."
"If you want to, I could draw you a bath. Just try to stay upright and call out if you need anything, " Charles said. "I'll sit around the corner."
"I would like that." It was just like Charles to be nearby but try to not let things get too familiar. He was giving her privacy and she appreciated that.
Charles prepared the water in the oversized tub and stayed in the next room in case Liza called. In a few minutes she did. "Do you need something?"
"Sorry to be a pest, this is embarrassing, " she shared.
"What is it?" He inquired.
"I keep trying to wash my hair, but-" she gestured to her arms and stopped talking, out of breath.
She had gotten dizzy raising her arms over her head, and couldn't complete the task after several tries. He put this together and came closer. "I'll help you. Just try to breathe."
Charles sat behind her, just outside the tub, and gently washed her hair. Then after rinsing the soap out, asked her if she needed anything else. "I think I'm good. Thanks. "
"I'll be right here, just let me know," he reassured her, leaving the room again.
Liza could tell he might feel awkward if she asked for help with getting her towel, so she took her time getting out and dried off. She called out, "I'm ok now" after she had gotten dressed.
"Can I come in?" He asked.
"Of course. Now I just need to dry and brush my hair and I'll try to sleep with this on." Liza laughed as she pointed to the oxygen tubing she had to wear, slung over the bedpost.
Her arms weak, she plugged in the blow dryer next to the bed, and felt herself needing a minute. The dizziness was back when she lifted her arms. She sighed.
Charles sat down next to her on the bed, and without saying anything, brushed her hair while using the dryer. When she felt satisfied with the result, she nodded to him. "This is good now. "
He turned off the dryer, set it down, and helped her slide under the covers. She took the brush from him, holding his hand for a second, and placed it on the table.
"Do you feel better?" Charles asked, propped on his arm next to her.
"Yes, thank you. " Liza replied. She moved over closer to him and reached her arm across his chest in a weak embrace, that he briefly reciprocated.
He cleared his throat. "Ok, I'll go. Um, goodnight. " He started to get up.
"Wait." Liza said weakly. He stopped, turned to look at her, her face showing concern. "I'm a little worried about being alone tonight since I'm not in the hospital with nurses monitoring. Can you stay, just until I fall asleep?"
Charles nodded. "Sure. I'll be right back. Just let me change out of these wet clothes."
He was back in a few minutes. Soon, they were both asleep.