CHAPTER TWELVE
With the promise of someone to take care of him, his doctors were happy to release Bobby. He was still weak and aching, his ribs taped and arm protected by a splint, and under orders to eat properly and get lost of rest. His psychiatrist still wanted to see him regularly, and Alex agreed to make sure he made his sessions. Bobby briefly protested, but Alex reminded him that he'd driven her to and picked her up from her counseling appointments after what they'd come to call the "thing". Alex collected her from the hospital when he was released the day before Christmas Eve. His nurses flocked around him to say goodbye, and his doctors warned him about the consequences of disobeying their orders.
"You take care of yourself, Bobby," a nurse told him cheerfully as she wheeled him to Alex's waiting car. "We always like having heroes around…especially when they're funny and smart and cute…But we want you to get better…"
Bobby's blush was all the brighter for its contrast to his pale color.
"She's right, you know," Alex said a few minutes later as she wove in and out of traffic.
"What?" Bobby snorted. "That I'm cute?"
Alex smiled. "No…that you're a hero."
Bobby stared out the car window.
"The nurses told me," Alex said carefully. "That you've been trying to avoid taking the painkillers and things to help you sleep."
"You know I hate taking anything," Bobby said after a moment. He continued to look out the window. "What with my time in Narcotics…and my Mom…"
"I know…I understand," Alex said. "But the nurses said you've had some bad dreams…and you don't have to suffer…"
Bobby shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Alex decided not to press the issue. "I thought," she said. "We'd stop by your apartment and pick up what you need…I packed a few things yesterday when I checked on your mail…My sister and her family flew to Orlando this morning. I met them at the airport to get the key to the house. She said she made sure it's well stocked."
"Alex…Are you sure…" Bobby fidgeted in his seat.
"They're very happy to have two cops housesit the place," Alex said.
Bobby stared out the window. "At least one…" he muttered.
Alex glanced at him. She wondered if he'd already decided to leave the NYPD.
The traffic was heavy with pre-Christmas travelers and shoppers, and it took some time to reach Bobby's apartment. In spite of Alex's warnings, Bobby helped pack a suitcase and fill a book bag with books, notebooks, magazines and DVDs. He chose his clothes quickly, but spent several minutes deciding what books to take.
"Bobby," Alex said wryly. "I can always come back and get more stuff…and there's a library within driving distance of the house."
He looked up startled and then smiled at her. "Yea," he said. "And it's not like I'm going to get through all of this…but it makes me feel ambitious."
All of his activity at least insured that Bobby quickly became too tired to resist Alex's aid.
"I…I need to let the super know," he yawned as they left the apartment.
"Already taken care of," Alex said cheerfully. "He's going to continue to keep an eye on your place and pick up your mail."
"What about your place?" Bobby asked as he sat heavily in her car.
"My neighbors," she answered. As Alex sat in the car she glanced at Bobby. He appeared drained, and she thought he might be fighting some pain. "You ok?"
"I'm fine," he insisted.
Alex thought he was decidedly not fine, but she held her tongue. "At least," she thought. "He's here…He's coming with me…For Bobby, that's a big leap."
Although Alex expected heavy traffic, it still took longer than she expected to reach her sister's house. It was dark before she turned on the small road leading to it. Bobby was silent through the drive, and Alex hoped he might get some sleep. The doctors and nurses warned her that he would be easily exhausted during his first days of recovery, and told her that sleep was the best remedy for his injuries. But Bobby remained awake, staring out the window and tapping restless fingers against his leg.
"It's really far out," Bobby said. Alex jumped at his voice. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's ok, Bobby." She glanced at him. "You don't have to keep apologizing for being here." She turned on the drive to the house. It was covered with the remains of the latest snow. "Ah," she said as she slowed down. "One of the disadvantages of living in an isolated area."
"I'm surprised there aren't more houses out here…with the beach and all," Bobby mused.
"It's a federally and state protected area…Some of it's a wildlife refuge," Alex explained. "This and a few other houses were built before then."
Bobby pondered the information. "Nice for those owners…"
"It can be," Alex answered. "Lots of privacy…great scenery…but it's hard to make any improvements or changes. My brother-in-law has some terrific stories about what he went through to update the sewer line."
Bobby gave her a worried look.
"Don't worry," she smiled. "He got it done…It's a first rate system…All the plumbing is. The master bathroom is downright luxurious."
The house appeared out of the dark and light snow. Alex eased the car into the small attached garage, and they stepped out into the frigid air. Bobby shivered, but still reached for the bags. Alex blocked him and handed him the lightest one.
"Not so fast," she said. "You don't want to have to go back to the hospital."
He stood uncertainly in the cold dark.
"Bobby," Alex said gently. "I know you hate to be helped…And that this goes against your sense of chivalry…But you know this is for your own good."
"Chivalry, uh?" he said after a moment. "Ok, but at least let me have the key so I can open the door for you."
"I don't think this will be enough to make a white Christmas," Alex said wistfully as Bobby unlocked the door.
"Yea," Bobby said as he pushed the door open. "It's supposed to warm up just enough to make this a cold rain. I don't think we'll be spending much time on the beach. You know," he said over his shoulder as he held the door for Alex. "White Christmases are actually pretty rare…even in the northern part of the US and before global warming…Wow…." Bobby admired the interior of the small, cozy house in the light Alex flicked on. "This is nice…It looks original…"
"A lot of it is," Alex said. "My brother-in-law is very proud of it." She glanced at the thermostat. "Good…They left the temperature up…But you could get a fire started while I get the bags in."
"You sure," Bobby said.
"Yea…Just don't hurt yourself lifting any heavy logs…I want you to rest but I am not going to be at your beck and call," Alex called from the kitchen.
Bobby carefully arranged several logs in the fireplace, and a large, warm blaze soon glowed from it. He sat heavily on the large, soft couch. He felt that he should be in the kitchen or bedrooms helping Alex, but the drive and his minor exertions left him exhausted. Twinges of pain started throughout his body, and Bobby silently cursed its betrayal. He studied the living room. The house—really more of a cottage—was small, only one story, but cozy and welcoming. The large fireplace dominated the living room. Large, built in shelves surrounded the fireplace, and they were covered with photos, seashells, and a few books. Bobby easily picked out Alex's sister and nieces and nephews in the photos. Her older sister looked very much like Alex, but her eyes lacked the younger woman's wariness and watchfulness. "But," Bobby thought. "She's probably had fewer troubles than Alex." The man Bobby took to be the brother-in-law was a solid, respectable looking sort who appeared happily overwhelmed by the various Eameses. Alex appeared in several of the photos. She was happy and relaxed, almost always smiling, and Bobby felt a stab of guilt when he realized none of the pictures appeared to be recent ones. "Of course she hasn't been with her family," he thought. "She's had to baby sit her partner…"
His right arm ached. The doctors elected not to place a cast on it, but the splint was still cumbersome and the arm protested when Bobby asked it to do too much. His ribs also complained of his recent abuse of his body, and Bobby winced as he shifted positions on the couch. He looked again at the photos. "So," he thought. "That's what it's like to have a real family…" He leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes.
Alex emerged from the kitchen in time to hear Bobby's low moan. "Hey," she asked. "Are you ok?" She strode to the couch and placed her hand on Bobby's forehead. He glanced up at her guiltily and looked away quickly.
"You don't seem warm," she said comfortingly. "But it's time for your meds…and you've probably done too much…"
"I…I didn't do anything," Bobby said defensively. "Just rode in a car…"
"For a long time…and you're just out of the hospital." Alex sat on the large, overstuffed chair next to the couch. "I think you need some food and rest."
In spite of his pains and dark thoughts, Bobby realized Alex was right. He was hungry. "Uh…yea…what do we have?"
Alex grinned. "More like what don't we have. We've been left a well stocked fridge and pantry. How about some tomato soup?"
"And grilled cheese?" Bobby asked, almost involuntarily.
"Sounds good to me," Alex said cheerfully. She stood. "I'll bring your book bag in here and you can read while I fix dinner."
His mood darkened.
"Bobby," Alex said gently. "This is easy. I just have to heat up the soup and fix the sandwiches. This will not tax my admittedly limited cooking skills."
"Ok," he said reluctantly.
Bobby managed to stay awake while Alex fixed dinner and to walk into the kitchen to eat. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until two large bowls of soup and two sandwiches disappeared inside him.
"Good," Alex declared as she picked up the dishes. "You ate something."
"I should help you." Bobby stood, but winced when his body protested the sudden movement.
"Take it easy," Alex said. She guided him to the living room. "I'll get your meds…And don't pout," she said as she returned to the kitchen.
Alex returned with his pills and a large glass of water.
"I gotta admit," Bobby said. "I'm awfully tired." He swallowed the pills and drank the water. "Where…"
"Your bedroom is that way," Alex pointed. "A nice big bed with lots of blankets and pillows. It's the one with the great bathroom. Don't worry. My bed is just as comfortable, if not as big." She smiled at him. "Besides, I've already put your stuff there."
Bobby was so tired he didn't argue. "I'm sorry I'm not great company tonight," he said as he moved slowly towards the bedroom.
"It's ok…You've got a good excuse…"
"I…I'd like to take a shower," he said, trying to hid his embarrassment. "The doctors said I could…that the bandages and splint would be ok…"
"I know," Alex said. She knew Bobby had wished for a shower since his first day in the hospital. "You promise to let me know if you need any help. Don't be embarrassed to ask for it." She spoke with a confidence she didn't feel. "And watch out…The hot water lasts a long time, but when it runs out, it's gone."
"Ok," Bobby said. If Alex could be calm about this, so could he.
He moved slowly and stiffly into the bedroom. While the house was compact, the bed in the master bedroom certainly wasn't. The adjourning bathroom was also not original to the house. The tub was large enough for two people, and its jets tempted Bobby, but he feared that even if he could get into it he might never get out. He opted for the large, walk-in shower with its many faucets. He shed his clothes and stepped into the hot water. He winced when it first hit his body, but it soon sluiced away the dirt and pounded his aching muscles. As wonderful as the shower felt—even though the nurses gave him wonderful sponge baths, this shower let Bobby feel really clean for the first time since the robbery—he heeded Alex's warning and shut off the water before it became cold. He stepped from the shower, carefully dried his body with a large, soft towel smelling of lavender, and reached for his T-shirt and flannel pajama pants. He froze at his sight of his body in the mirror. "My God," he whispered. Even through the steam he saw that his back was pockmarked with small cuts and bruises. Only a few of the larger bruises were starting to fade. He examined the bandages around his ribs and the splint on his right arm; all seemed to have survived the shower. The same couldn't be said of Bobby. A great exhaustion settled over him, and it was a major battle for him to get his pants on. He struggled to slip on the shirt.
There was a knock on the door. "Ok in there?" Alex asked.
Bobby hesitated. "I…I could use a little help," he finally admitted.
Alex entered the bathroom. In spite of her confident air, she was glad that Bobby had on his pajama pants. She tried to hide her worry at the sight of his injuries.
"The arm giving you some trouble," she said.
"Uh…yea…" He tried not to show that many more things than just his arm gave him trouble.
"Let me just take a look at you before I help you get your shirt on."
Alex checked his back and bandages, and tried not to hurt him, but he stiffened at her touch.
"Did I hurt you?" Her voice dripped with worry, and Bobby hated that he caused her so much trouble.
"No," he said softly. "It's just lately…every time someone has touched me, it's been to give me a shot or take blood or something."
Alex studied him for a moment. "Ok," she said, hiding her skepticism. "But I'm not going to do anything like that."
"Everything ok?" Bobby asked.
"Looks good. How do you feel?"
"Tired," he admitted. "And a few twinges…"
"It must hurt a lot for you to admit that you feel anything," Alex said. "Did you take all your meds?"
"Not the sleeping pills…I really hate those…"
Alex nodded. "I've only taken those things once or twice…I don't like them either…The doctors said you should only take them if you want to…but you shouldn't suffer…"
She helped him ease the shirt over his head and guided him into the bedroom. He sat heavily on the bed.
"Wow," he said. "This is comfortable." He swung his legs up on the bed. He was so tired that the act took nearly of his remaining energy.
"Here," Alex said gently. "Let me help you." She lifted the covers up and over him.
He slumped back on the pillows. "I can't remember the last time someone tucked me in," he muttered. "Thank you…Thank you, Alex…I don't know how…" He drifted into sleep.
Alex watched him until she was certain he was asleep.
"Ok," she thought. "Ok…Maybe we can do this…"
END CHAPTER TWELVE