I must admit I'm starting to lack a bit inspiration and I'm not super happy with the ending but I don't have all evening o dwell on it so here it is lol.
Also, there's just 9 days remaining for the challenge so to help me go throught it I was wondering if there is anything you'd like (another Fandom, a moment related to specific episode, smut/angst/halloweenesque...) go crazy! ahah
Day 22: "Who takes care of you?"
"Who takes care of you?" It was a phrase Andy Flynn nearly never heard in the last 20 years. It was not something a grown up was being asked on a regular basis. In the last 2 days, though, he was asked three times. That mere sentence, its answer in fact, brought him joy. For the first time in forever he had someone who loved him, someone who was willing to put up with him. And it wasn't Provenza. Oh he was grateful for his life long friend but having to depend on him was just… it just wasn't a good thing. Andy shuddered at the thought of spending his recovering days at the Old Coot's place. Louie Provenza was many things but a good host wasn't.
He smiled, thinking about the very first time someone asked him that question. It was the emergency physician just after his little dust off. They were done with him and the doc was okay to send him on his way on the condition that someone would take care of him. He needed someone to watch over him that night and make sure he didn't bump his head too hard. He was so relieved to be able to say that he had indeed someone, someone who was used to sleeping with him and wouldn't mind having to put her clock every hour just for his sake. It was such a relief to be able to depend on someone. It was such a big achievement for him, it made him feel so proud. Most men his age wouldn't have to think twice about that kind of question. Most men his age were married for 30-40 years. He wasn't like most men.
That thought brought him to the second time he was asked who was his caregiver. Well, he nearly was. It was the thought that counts right? After passing out in Sharon's office and being brought right back to the emergency, he needed more than ever to be closely monitored. His memory was a bit blurry, he wasn't sure exactly what and how things happened but he clearly remembered Sharon being cold and him being in a tremendous amount of pain. He would deny it now to anyone except his girlfriend but that second time at the hospital, he cried from pain. It wasn't bad, it was horrible: he could barely breathe, it felt like thousands of knives were stuck in his chest. He was about to cave and asked for the drugs, he knew he couldn't last long like that. Somehow, Sharon climbed in bed with him. Somehow, they arranged themselves in a way his head got pillowed on her soft breasts. Somehow, she managed to put them both to sleep. The only thing he remembered clearly was her fingers combing through his hair, gentle so gentle, relieving him of all his tension, making him focus on those hypnotic movements instead of the pain. There, so close to her neck, the smell of her perfume was stronger and it added to his sense of peace. Cherished, he dozed off only to be woken by the doc. The white coat smiled to him while sending on his way, seeing without a doubt that Andy had someone who would take care of him.
The last time that question was asked to him was the funniest one. Tired from his restless night and lingering pain, he dozed off on Sharon's sofa. He woke up to the sound of his FaceTime's ringing. Sleepily, he answered on his Ipad without even looking at who was calling. He should have. His sister was on the line. And she was not happy ! After scolding him for a good 10 minutes for never calling and giving her any news, for her to learn that he got injured at work from Provenza, she suddenly shut up. She moved her head in a funny way, trying to look past Andy to his background and asked: "Where are you? Who takes care of you?"
He didn't even have to answer that as if on queue, Sharon and Rusty appeared by his side. His beautiful redhead obviously just got out of the shower as she was still toweling her hair. She was wearing her comfy home clothes, a pair of black cotton leggings and an oversized purple woolen sweater. She was beautiful. Her eyes seemed greener than usual with that color and the amazing midday light that was filtering through the windows certainly helped too. Rusty was holding two cups of tea, he gave one to his mother and offered him the second one. His sister cleared her throat to catch once more his attention. "Sylvia, this is Sharon, my wi.. my girlfriend and Rusty our … humm.. her son." He stuttered, his cheeks turning grimson under the horrified gaze of Rusty and the stunned one his sister.
Sharon looked into his eyes, amused before bursting out laughing. He immediately followed her, regretting his laugh as it killed his ribs. How did he get so lucky?