Fin didn't have to wait for Amanda long after he'd taken a seat in front of the TV. He turned the sound off as soon as he heard the door open and he turned his head to her. He could hardly see her as she was carrying a big cover and a pillow in her arms. As she reached the couch though she put it all down on the arm opposite him and he could inspect her. It seemed the shower had a refreshing effect on her. She just seemed calmer. Washed from shame and hurt. She looked younger. Maybe it was the lack of mascara, her wet hair pulled back in a loose bun, the long-sleeved top in a darker shade of green, the loose white slacks and her bare feet. Her cheek was still red though, the scraps on her jaw eminent and her lips still swollen. He smiled at her and he got a sheepish smile back. –I stole a beer from you. He said. –Good. I got you a cover and pillow. I'm afraid it's not a pull out though. She said and gestured to the couch. –That's fine. You know me, I can sleep anywhere. The room went silent. Not even a car heard out on the street.
–Don't you need one though? –Uh? –A pull out. Your mom and dad don't come to visit? He'd said something funny judging by her face. –No? He said while smiling as she looked really cute. She shook her head. –They would never set their foot in New York. –Why? –It's way too big for either of them. My mom would freak by all the people and my dad… she just shook her head. –No. She whispered with a smile on her face. She was picking at the pillow, her sleeve so long it covered her knuckles. –No siblings then? He saw her face change in an instant. Her smile disappeared and he saw her swallow. She stopped her picking and brought her hand up to her mouth. She looked up and just gave him a quick shake of the head as she tried to force her smile back. –Do you wanna have a look at the bathroom? Just so you don't fall over something. –You mean if it's as cluttered as your living room? He said as he got up. That got him a half a smile and a light roll of her eyes. He followed her to the bedroom door.
The sibling comment had touched on something. He wasn't sure what though. As he got into the bedroom something else caught his attention though. –Sweet Jesus. He said as he breathed in. –That thing must swallow you. He was talking about the bed which was basically the only piece in there. It was humongous and took up most of the room. –Yeah I know. It came with the flat. It has to be cut into pieces to get out of here and I just… She shook her head. –And it's hell to find sheets for. She kept walking towards the bedroom. He looked around as he followed her. The room was just as the others. Plain. There was the bed, the two large windows had curtains but nothing else, a floor lamp by the bed, a single moving box by the wall and a door to what looked to be a closet. He figured she kept her clothes in there. The bed was made on one side with a couple of pillows, a couple of books were placed on the other side of the bed. She could basically lay in bed however she wanted to. Horizontal. Vertical. Across. Hell they could both lay in that bed however they wanted to without even having to touch each other. Not that they would share a bed. But they could.
They had reached the bathroom. It had a shower, toilet and a sink. A cabinet with a mirror over the sink. Not much junk lying around. She'd placed a stack of towels and a toothbrush on the toilet seat. –I wasn't sure if you wanted to take a shower or not. She gestured to the towels and then picked up the toothbrush. –I'll be fine for the night thanks. –And… she held up the wrapped toothbrush and left the question unasked. –That I would not say no to though. Dental care is important to me cause I hate dentists. He smiled and grabbed it from her. –I didn't have any other paste but you're welcome to mine. It's in here. She took a step forward and open the left side of the cabinet slightly. –Great. –So do you think you'll need something else? She asked with a raised eyebrow. Without her regular boots on he had some height on her and he smiled down at her. –I think I'm fine with what I got. She nodded and was about to bite her lip but stopped herself as the gash made itself known by hurting. –I'll be outside then. She said and turned. She closed the door behind her.
He looked around the bathroom. No personal affects here either. Not that bathroom was usually the place for family portraits but he kept hoping he'd get something somewhere. He unwrapped the toothbrush and took a step to the cabinet. He went ahead and continued to open the side she'd started at. He found the toothpaste and got some out. He open the other side too. It was nothing like any cabinets he'd seen before at a single girls place. Except for the paste there was a toothbrush, a lotion bottle, a deodorant, a chart of Tylenol, some facial cream, mascara and on the bottom shelf a couple of hair bands and some simple earplugs. He shook his head as he started to brush his teeth. It was weird. He closed the cabinet and moved around a bit as he brushed his teeth. He found nothing. He finished with his teeth and then grabbed a towel so he could just wash off his face. He took a leak, washed his hands and then went out.
He found her sitting by the foot of her bed. She'd been leaning against the footboard and obviously fallen asleep as she waited for him. She woke up as soon as he open the door though and sat up immediately trying to hide the fact she had fallen asleep while waiting. Not that she had too. He understood if she was worn out and tired after tonight. He smiled at her and she smiled back. Her feet didn't touch the floor when she sat on the bed. It was really a too big of a bed for her. With a hubby and a couple of kids then yes maybe but for now no. –Ready for bed? He asked and after a slight hesitation she nodded. –So as the live in nurse for the night I have to ask you: do you feel any symptoms of dizziness or nausea? She shook her head. –Have you taken any Tylenol or something for the pain? She hesitated again but then nodded. –Good. I'll be right outside if you need anything. And I'll leave the door slightly open so I can sneak in easily in two hours to check on you. He'd started to move towards the door.
–Fin… He heard the complaint coming and turned around to give her a serious look. –I can just sit by the end of the bed all night if you prefer that? He said with raised eyebrows. She tried to stare him down but was basically too tired and gave up sooner than she wanted to. –There's really no need. She muttered as she jumped down from her bed to head to her sleeping space. –I'm setting my phone on two hours. Good night Amanda. He said and kept walking out. He shut the door almost closed and took one last peek at her through the gap. She was just about to climb up into her humongous bed. He wished she would let him in. He sighed and went to take his spot on the couch again. He set his phone on vibrate and drifted off to sleep easier than he thought he would with everything going round in his head.
The first checkup went smoothly. He sneaked in carefully hoping not to wake her. She'd turned over and had her back to him. He instantly noticed small dots of blood on the sheet though right by her back. She'd brought most of the cover with her as she'd turned and her clothed back was exposed. He carefully lifted her top up so he could peek inside and he clinched his teeth as he saw the lacerations on her back. It angered him. The mere fact that they were there made him angry but they weren't deep enough to make her bleed out. He figured they had probably taped them at the hospital but after the shower they had come off. He wished she'd felt secure enough to ask him to help her see to them though. He let go off her top and instead reached over to grab a hold of her wrist. He put his fingers as carefully as he could on her wrist vein but still hard enough to be able to feel her pulse. As he was hunched over her he looked down at her sleeping face and could tell she was breathing peacefully. Her pulse seemed fine. He softly put the back of his hand on her forehead. She felt warm but not too warm. He took his hands off her and just watched her for a bit. Then he silently backed out and went back to the couch for another two hours of sleep.