Chapter 30

Wednesday, June 17, 1987 –Morning

Julie awoke Wednesday morning to the usual shortness of breath and discomfort in her chest. A cup of coffee accompanied by a bagel with strawberry jelly sat on the nightstand. She stuck her finger in the lukewarm, caramel-colored liquid and wondered how long it'd sat there. The alarm clock read 10:46. She vaguely remembered Donovan coming in to wake her a while ago, but she'd felt too tired to get out of bed. Yesterday's specialist appointments had exhausted her.

Grimacing, Julie pushed herself off the mattress and sat erect. Pain greeted her every inch of the way. She fought back her tears, and wondered why Donovan hadn't returned to check on her. He just let her fall back asleep even though he'd been so adamant that Steve was coming at eleven-thirty. "It has something to do with work," Donovan had said. Julie pondered why Steve couldn't have just called her if he needed to give her an update. She wasn't ready to see him in person.

"Are you up yet?" Donovan called from outside the bedroom door. He knocked.

Julie swallowed trying to find her voice.

The door opened and Donovan walked in. He stopped and eyed her. "C'mon. You know you have to…"

"H-help me… to the bathroom."

"Okay." He slipped his arm around her, bringing her to her feet.

Julie grunted at her pain.

"You're okay," he said, pressing his warm cheek against hers. "I've got you."

Funny how he'd promised to help her, but at times he seemed overly affectionate. He's just being nice… Damn you Donovan, you're always so nice...

She smiled.

"What's so funny?" he asked, loosening his grip on her waist.

"Nothing." She made a straight face. "I need my clothes."

He nodded, but seemed hesitant to let go of her.

"It's okay. I can stand."

She watched him pull a pair of panties, a bra and a t-shirt from the dresser. He then went to Sean's closet for a pair of jeans. She didn't see the sense in wearing the ensemble since she intended to go back to bed as soon as she could.

"I just wanted my other nightgown and robe." Her stomach rumbled with hunger pains.

"Going all out for Maitland, are you?" he teased.

"Can it," she retorted with his expression of agitation.

He chuckled. "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"Not funny," she hissed, taking a step toward the door.

"Well, okay." He walked beside her, pink nightgown and robe in hand. "No more jokes about Maitland. But I have to admit, I'm curious."

She felt warmth surge to her cheeks. "I'm curious about you too."

"Oh yeah?" He asked, following her to the bathroom.

Donovan laid her clothes on the vanity. "Will you feel safe if I go start the laundry?"

"I'll be fine."

Donovan closed the door behind himself while Julie leaned against the vanity, studying her neglected eyebrows and darkened hair roots.

God, I look awful…

She knew a trip to the salon for a dye job was out of the question. She couldn't breathe in the scent of harsh chemicals.

Wincing, she struggled to get her nightgown up over her head. Feelings of modesty and shame stood in the way of asking Donovan to help her undress. She didn't want him or anyone else to see her incisions.

After adjusting the bathwater, Julie pushed the drain plug in. She hadn't the strength to stand and shower. She slipped her panties off and lifted one leg over the tub. As she lifted the other leg, she lost her balance. Her back smacked against the hard tile. Pain radiated through her backside and chest. Tears flowed as she reached for the vanity to pull herself up. She struggled for a few minutes before giving into the inevitable.

"Mike…" His name came out in a whisper. "Mike." She said it louder.

Again, there was no answer. Julie closed her eyes and sobbed. Unable to yell, she resolved to wait…

#

Donovan stuffed the last garment in the washing machine, added the soap, turned the knob and realized laundering Julie's clothes as well as his own would soon require a trip to the store for more detergent. He didn't like the thought of leaving Julie alone for long periods of time, nor letting her do things on her own. He sensed her determination to take care of herself would soon catch up with her. He planned to call Maggie and have her stop in and check on Julie while he worked.

He passed through the kitchen then the remainder of the house, searching for additional laundry items.

"Mike…" Julie's voice was barely audible as he walked by the bathroom.

He wondered why the tub was still running.

"Yeah?"

She didn't reply right away. He stepped closer toward the door. Water seeped through his socks. He looked down. The carpet was soaked.

"I need you to h-help… me." Julie sniffled.

Donovan shoved the door open to find Julie partially sitting up in a river of water spilling over from the tub. She had a towel draped over her midsection.

Donovan quickly shut the water off, knelt down near Julie demanding, "What happened?"

Julie swallowed. "I fell."

"Do I need to call an ambulance?"

"No, just help me up." She reached for his arm.

He slipped one hand under her naked and wet torso then stood.

What the hell am I going to do? I need to clean this mess up and get her ready before Maitland comes.

"I'm becoming a nuisance, aren't I?" Julie asked.

"Not at all," he said.

"Donovan… Julie!" Steve's voice carried through the living room.

Great… he's inside. He's early! Thinking quickly, Donovan pushed the bathroom door shut with his back.

"He… saw us," Julie muttered with a stunned look on her face.

"Did you forget how to knock?" Donovan yelled.

"I did knock." Steve said through the bathroom door. "What the hell happened? You gave her a bath?"

You son of a-

"Help me get dressed," Julie whispered, interrupting Donovan's thoughts.

Why not? I'm already guilty. He yanked the one remaining dry towel from its bar and let it fall to the floor then pushed it against the pool of water.

"You know your carpet's soaked?" Steve asked.

Donovan cocked his head toward the door. "The towels are in the linen closet to your left. Make yourself useful."