Daryl had to call out of work Monday and Tuesday. It hadn't been easy to find another hospice nurse on such short notice. When he finally did she could only come during the day so his nights are spent caged up in the apartment, alternating between watching TV and playing guitar and doing whatever his father needs. He was tired and lonelier than he wanted to admit so when Beth texted him asking about Saturday he answered a little too quickly, trying to keep the feeling of connection alive. He didn't know what to respond with when she said she missed him.
He didn't take his lunch break when he went back to work on Wednesday and cut out early to pick Beth up from school. The idea of waiting a few more days to be with her in a crowded room left him feeling desperate and their awkward conversation of mumbled apologies for insensitivity and overreaction left him longing for another chance to see her.
He didn't hide the way one side of his mouth pulled up into a smile when she kissed him on the cheek after she climbed into the truck, he didn't notice the raised eyebrow and glare coming from the kid standing on the curb. He let himself drift away from everything else and focused only on her. The way she ate the best taco you can find in the city. The way her feet swung back and forth over the tailgate while they sat in the empty lot by where the food truck was parked. The way she kissed him and waited for him to adjust to the feeling of her lips against his. The way she didn't pull away when he froze for a second. The way she moaned when he finally kissed her back. The way she stood in the window and waved goodnight.
He had felt a pang of guilt for telling her that he would try to make Friday night, he knew it wouldn't happen. Betty, the new nurse, hurried out the door as soon as he got home. She had to leave to watch her grandson. He sat on the couch after Betty left and his father had fallen back to sleep. He didn't call or text Beth. He just sat and watched time tick by until he knew it was too late to get a hold of her.
The next day was tough. His father was in and out all day, going between asking where he was and growling at Daryl about what a crap job he was doing. Daryl was tense, he just wanted the day to go by so he could leave for while. He missed Beth and the anticipation of seeing her was leaving him anxious. The nurse's aid showed up to help him change the sheets and get Will cleaned up. Somehow the task ended with the aid crying in the kitchen while Daryl iced his eye.
"Sorry, about him…" He dumped the ice in the sink, his eye would be black and blue either way.
The girl sniffled as she went to the door, "They told me people can have really bad mood swings at the… when it's… before…"
Daryl cut her off, he had to fight to keep his voice gentle, and saved her from struggling not to offend him, "I know he's dyin', he's always been an asshole though."
He hadn't planned on the girl leaving early and was left having to choose who to stand up.