She's like the wind 08

8

 

It was raining when Lena arrived home. After turning on the dish washer she moved to the bedroom with a mug of coffee in her hand and her phone in the other. She worked at the office longer than she expected, finishing the new chapter that Monica'd sent her two days ago.

 

She pulled the clean bed linen out of the closet and started changing it. When she finished, she carried the dirty bed linen to the bathroom and stepped to the window. Eric should return today. She expected him to call her as soon as he would arrive. Listening to rain's whispering she heard her phone ring.

 

She sat down on the bed and picked up the phone.

 

„Hi, are you at home?“

 

„Hi Lena, it's Joel. And no, I'm not at home, I'm in the hospital.“ She didn't even look at the display as she was sure it was Eric who called. Her stomach flipped not knowing why Joel was calling.

 

„Hi, I'm sorry. I thought it was Eric. He should come home today,“ she responded, unsure.

 

„I see,“ he broke off for a second before he continued. „Look, Lena, something happened. I have him here on my ward. I thought you should know about it.“

 

„Oh my..., what happened? How is he? Can I come to see him?“ she plied him with her questions, her heart beating like crazy.

 

„It would be good if you came here. I'll tell you everything,“ Joel answered. „He'll be alright but it's a matter of time. A long time, Lena.“

 

She closed her eyes for a moment, her head spinning. „OK, I'll be there in half an hour.“

 

„OK. Drive carefully,“ Joel demanded.

 

„I will. See you in a few...,“ she hung up and ran her hand through her hair, upset.

 

*

 

Before she got out of her car, she forced herself to stay calm. Walking into the hospital she made her way to the reception, asking for dr. Goran. A receptionist told her to wait. Lena took a seat. A few minutes later she saw Joel coming. She jumped from the chair and took a few steps towards him.

 

„Hi, follow me,“ Joel led her to the elevators. When one of them opened, they got in and Joel pushed the button 5.

 

„What happened?“ Lena glanced at him. „Eric promised to call me once he was home.“

 

„Probably he decided to surprise you and got on his motorbike. He got into a skid on a slippery road and had a crash somewhere between Hagerstown and Halfway,“ Joel put his arm around her shoulders, seeing her shaking. He led her on the left as the elevator stopped and opened.

 

Once in his office he pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and handed it to her. „Sit down, please,“ he pointed at the armchair in front of his desk. Rounding it he took a seat behind it.

 

„Thanks,“ she unscrewed the lid and drank. „How is he? Is it serious?“

 

„It is and it isn't,“ he leaned in his chair, tenting his fingers. „Except a brain concussion and broken leg his sixth and twelfth vertebras are fractured,“ he paused as she gasped.

 

„No, it sounds very serious,“ she shook her head, feeling moisture in her eyes. „His spine...,“ she swallowed thick.

 

„I know it sounds, yet he was lucky because he fell neatly, so to speak,“ he rested his elbows on the table and looked in her eyes. „As I said before his recovery it will be a matter of a long time but...,“ he lifted his finger into the air, „... he'll be alright. He needs to be lying in a horizontal position without his spine bowing. So far,“ he broke off, watching her, giving her a time to process it.

 

„How... how long?“ she asked, her voice trembling.

 

„To clarify it, his state doesn't require a surgery. It's only necessary for his vertebras to grow together that's why I need him not to move,“ he sighed. „I know he won't like it but if the vertebras grow together wrong it could lead to a constant damage of his spine. I don't even want to think about consequences. You asked how long will it take... Well, the first two months will be critical,“ he shrugged. „The rest he will have to be very careful. Before the vertebras knit, he must keep his spine straight, under whatever circumstances.“

 

Lena nodded, lowering her eyes to her hands folded in her lap. „So there's hope he'll be completely alright, right?“ she looked up.

 

„Of course,“ he nodded, giving her a small reassuring smile. „Do you want to see him now?“

 

„Yes,“ she nodded, wiping her eyes.

 

They passed by the elevators and continued further over the long hall. Joel stopped at the door on the end of it and slowly opened it, walking in first.

 

„He's still sleeping. I told the nurse to give him some painkillers. He should wake up soon,“ he pulled a chair for her to sit next to the bed. „Do you want me to leave you alone here?“

 

She took a seat, nodding. „I think I should be here when he opens his eyes.“

 

„OK. Here's a button. Push it if it's necessary. I'll come to check on him again,“ he left the room.

 

Lena looked at his sleeping face and put her hand on his, noticing IV in his other arm. His left leg was uncovered as it was in a plaster. He was lying straight, no pillow, only support under his neck.

 

„Oh Eric, you should have called me instead of riding a motorbike in the rain,“ she said softly, stroking his hand. „It's heartbreaking to see you like this.“

 

His eyelids trembled. „I just wanted...,“ he whispered before he opened his eyes, „... to see you.“

 

„Eric...,“ she breathed out, looking in his eyes. „No, don't move, please,“ she placed her hand on his chest, seeing him trying to rise.

 

„Why? Where are we?“ his eyes darted around the room and back to hers. He looked scared.

 

„We're in the hospital. You got into a skid,“ she explained. „You had an accident, Eric,“ she added softly, squeezing gently his hand. „Joel called me.“

 

„Oh... How bad am I? I have a headache,“ he looked at her. „I'm sorry.“

 

„It's OK. Now it's important for you to heal,“ she wiped a strand of his hair from his forehead.

 

„Hi my friend, are you up?“ Joel walked inside the room. „How are you feeling?“

 

„I've already felt better,“ Eric attempted to joke.

 

„I'm going to bring some coffee,“ Lena got up. „I'll be back soon.“ She left the room, looking back over her shoulder before she closed the door behind her.

 

*

 

„Are you saying it will take four months before I'm alright?“ Eric averted his eyes after Joel explained him about his condition.

 

„Unfortunately yes, Eric,“ Joel sat down on the chair next to his bed. „Look, if you listen to me, you'll be completely alright,“ he patted his forearm. „Come on, you're a tough cookie.“ He got up as Lena walked in the room. „I'll come to check on you later,“ he moved to the door. „A nurse will add some more painkillers soon. He hurts and he's tired,“ Joel whispered Lena as he passed by her. „If you want to come to see Eric tomorrow I'll tell my colleague, dr. Kol Mikaelson, about you. I'll be here on Monday evening.“

 

„Thank you, Joel. I appreciate it,“ she gave him a small smile.

 

„It's my job and my friend,“ Joel winked and left.

 

„Would you like some coffee, Eric?“ she put two cups on his bedside table, sitting next to him.

 

„I'd like to. But how when I can't move?“ he looked at her, desperation in his eyes. „I'm so stupid, Lena. You shouldn't be here. It's Saturday...“

 

„I have a straw,“ she placed the straw into the cup, disregarding his last words, putting the straw to his lips. „It's easy.“

 

He took a sip. „Ahhh, it's delicious. That's exactly what I needed,“ he attempted to smile but it didn't reach his eyes. „Look how it turned out,“ he furrowed his forehead. „I'm a cripple now,“ he looked away.

 

„You're no cripple!“ she stood up, her hands akimbo. „Stop talking like that. You're a man, not a coward. I know everything. I talked to Joel when I came here. You'll be alright even though it takes a long time,“ she sat down again. „You should stop pitying yourself. All you need now is to fight. It will be hard but you're not alone. I'm here for you. Do you understand?“

 

„Yes, I do. But it will be hard. I'll be bored to death. Can you imagine how it will be like just lying in bed for four months?! I can't,“ he shook his head and hissed from pain.

 

„Don't give up. You're at the beginning,“ she stroked his hand. „Tell me what do you want me to bring you and I'll do it. I'll come tomorrow afternoon, OK?“ she saw his eyelids slowly closing and opening again. „I'm going to let you sleep now,“ she whispered and watched him for a few seconds before she got up. In the doorway she turned around and looked at him the last time tonight, her heart clenched, before she left the room.

 

*

 

Lena parked her car in front of the hospital, grabbed her purse, got out and pulled a bag out of the trunk.

 

She informed a receptionist that she came to visit Eric Corbett. The receptionist just nodded and Lena went to the elevators.

 

As she got out of the elevator she walked to the right, heading over the hall to Eric's room.

 

„Wait, where are you going?“ she heard someone call. She stopped, turning around and saw a young doctor coming to her. „Visiting hours are since two p.m., Miss.“

 

„Hi, I'm Lena Gray and I'm going to visit your patient, Eric Corbett,“ she said, looking in his brown eyes. She had to look up at him since he was tall.

 

„Oh... I see,“ he ran his hand through his dark brown hair and gave her an embarrassed smile. „I'm sorry, Joel... um dr. Goran told me about you. I'm dr. Kol Mikaelson.“

 

„Nice to meet you, dr. Mikaelson,“ she shook his hand. „How is Mr. Corbett today?“

 

„My pleasure, Miss Gray. His condition is the same. I'd like to tell you he's better but unfortunately it will take a bit longer,“ he responded without a smile, then he gestured for her to continue. „Let me know if you need anything.“

 

„Thank you,“ she nodded and resumed walking to Eric's room.

 

She knocked on the door before she opened it and walked in. Seeing he was sleeping, she put her purse and bag on the table next to the door and stepped to the bed. She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She took a seat on the chair that stayed here from her yesterday's visit and took his hand in hers.

 

He looked at ease in his sleep, his features relaxed. His chest was rising and falling in the rhythm of his breathing, his long hair spread on the sheet. It would be better for him to sleep till he's alright. It was killing her to see him like that but she was aware that she would have to be strong for him. She quickly wiped her eyes noticing that his eyelids started shaking. She swallowed to put herself together before he opened his eyes.

 

„Hi there,“ she greeted him. „How are you today? Is it better, or worse, or the same?“

 

„Hi,“ he cleared his throat. „It's the same when you're asking like this.“

 

She appreciated that his lips spread in a small smile and gave him a smile back. „Glad to hear that it's not worse,“ she got up. „I brought you something,“ she reached for the bag. „Here's an iPod and earphones so you can listen to music,“ she put them on the bedside table and pulled a box out of the bag. „I baked a cream cheese cake for you,“ she opened the box.

 

„Really?“ he lifted his eyebrows and licked his lips as the smell of the cake hit his nose. „It smells wonderful.“

 

„Do you want to taste it now?“

 

„I'd like to but I'm not sure if I'm able to eat in lying position,“ he watched her getting up.

 

„Try it,“ she pulled a plate out of the bag and put a piece of the cake on it. „You can use your right hand. If it won't work I can support your head or feed you,“ she winked, putting the plate on his chest.

 

He took the cake in his right hand and put it in his mouth. „It's delicious, Lena,“ he glanced at her, another smile brightening up his face, a wider one this time.

 

„Thanks,“ she watched him savouring the cake and it warmed her insides. „Be careful, Joel told me you must not cough.“

 

He finished the cake and felt better. He watched her pulling something out of her bag and he couldn't resist to smile. Her calmness and certainty lifted up his spirit.

 

„I have something else for you,“ she smirked. „The higlight of the day, your favorite Starbucks coffee,“ she put a straw into the cup and handed it to him.

 

„You're unbelievable, Lena,“ he gushed as he took a sip. „The straw... you have amazing ideas,“ he took another sip, „thank you.“

 

„It's nothing,“ she blushed, shrugging. „I can bring you coffee every day. Do you want me to bring you something to read? If you can't hold the book or e-reader, I can read it for you.“

 

They were interrupted by dr. Mikaelson who walked in the room.

 

„Hi, Mr. Corbett, how are you feeling today?“ he glanced at the plate and a cup of coffee. „You're having a good time, right?“ he smiled widely. „You should be careful how much you eat. Anyway, what about your head?“

 

Eric nodded, glancing at Lena. „It's better today. It hurts just a bit,“ Eric turned his eyes to the doctor.

 

„Good. Glad to hear it,“ he moved to the door. „If you need, push the button and a nurse gives you something to ease the pain. I'll come to check on you later,“ he gave Lena a long gaze before he left.

 

„He likes you,“ Eric said.

 

„You think so?“ Lena shrugged. „Perhaps I should save the rest of the cake for tomorrow, right?“

 

He nodded, his eyes shining as he watched her covering the box.

 

Lena spent the rest of the afternoon with him. Before she left she'd promised him to come tomorrow after work again. She had a feeling that she left him in as a good mood as it was possible in his situation.

 

*

 

„How is it going today?“

 

„Good. I'm just finishing,“ Lena raised her eyes from the screene at the sound of Ian's voice. „What is it?“ she asked, seeing a large sheaf of papers in his hand.

 

„This might be a book to release,“ he handed it to her. „It's written by the unknown writer who brought it to me today morning. Read through it, please, and let me know what you think about it.“

 

„OK,“ she nodded, flipping through the pages. Then she closed it. „We'll see. Any term?“

 

„No,“ he smirked, pretending he thinks. „Monday will do,“ he waggled his eyebrows playfully.

 

„It's Friday, you joker,“ she smacked his shoulder lightly as she stood up, chuckling.

 

„I know,“ he laughed shortly. „Take your time, no hurry,“ he was about to go to his office but changed his mind, turning to her. „By the way, how is Mr. Corbett?“

 

„Well, after two months spent in the hospital he's been at home since yesterday,“ she gave him a half smile, putting on her coat.

 

„So is he alright?“

 

„No, not yet. I think the hardest part is ahead,“ she closed her notebook and put it in her bag together with the script. „You know he's all alone in his house and his spine needs to heal. It will still take some time,“ she spread her arms, then took the bag and her purse, ready to leave.

 

„You need to have some rest, Lena. You look tired. You've been in the hospital every day. You go to work...,“ he patted her upper arm. „I worry about you, you know?“

 

„Thanks,“ she smiled. „Don't worry I'll take some time to rest. But he needs someone by his side.“

 

„I understand,“ he nodded. „But don't overstretch yourself, OK?“

 

„I promise,“ she winked. „Have a nice weekend, Ian,“ she waved at him, rushing out of the office.

 

*

 

She drove home, changed her clothes, left her notebook and the papers on her bed and moved to the kitchen. She pulled two boxes out of the fridge and put them in the bag. Then she jumped behind the wheel, driving to Eric's house.

 

She felt strange as she unlocked the door with the spare key that he gave her yesterday. She put the bag on the kitchen counter, climbed upstairs and walked in his bedroom.

 

„Eric! What are you doing, for heaven's sake?“ she said aloud as she saw him on his hands and knees moving backward down off the bed.

 

„I really need to use the bathroom and I refuse to stickmy... you know what... in the urinal anymore,“ he glanced at her as she supported him using her arms.

 

„I couldn't come earlier. I had to go home to change and take the dinner with me, besides, I was at work and you know it,“ she opened the door, walking by his side to the bathroom, ready to catch his fall.

 

„I know,“ he nodded his head slowly. „I don't blame you. Joel said this way I can get up and keeping my body upright I can even walk and sit down at the table, right?“

 

„But you're still weak. You need to take it slowly,“ she furrowed her forehead, opening the bathroom door for him.

 

„I'm not a child,“ he snapped, walking inside. „Do you want to hold my penis?“ he slammed the door behind him.

 

She shook her head. He's changed in the last two weeks. He became irritated and angry but she attributed it to the fact that he couldn't move for six weeks and the last two weeks he had to go through rehabilitation because of his left leg as they took down the plaster. Every one commanded him to hold his body upright and he had already enough of it. She'd talked about it with Joel and he said it could happen with some patients and that it should get better. So she decided to be patient, protectingher fragile heart by the walls, she built around it.

 

After flushing and washing his hands he walked out. She was standing there.

 

„You can come to the kitchen with me so you can sit down for a change. I'm going to warm up dinner,“ she offered in a low voice, moving downstairs, watching him with a corner of her eye, without touching him.

 

He carefully started descending the stairs which she apreciated with a small smile, glancing at him. But he was staring straight ahead.

 

„Don't you take a seat, Eric? The dinner's going to be ready in a few minutes,“ she stepped to him as he was staring out of the window.

 

„It's beautiful outside. I'd like to go for a walk around the garden before the first snow,“ he sighed. „The gardener should take a leaf blower, there're too many leaves on the grass,“ he clenched his fists. „I hate being locked up inside the house,“ he growled.

 

„Maybe I could take you outside in a few days. What do you think?“ she touched his upper arm.

 

„You should ask Joel first,“ he retorted, turned around and sat down at the table.

 

The oven made a sound. Lena sighed and pulled the plate out of it and put it in front of him.

 

„You know I was wondering...,“ she put another bite in her mouth. After swallowing it she continued, „... if you don't want to start writing another book. I could help you. I can take dictation.“

 

Rising his eyes to her he finished eating and put the knife and fork on the plate. „Do you think I have thoughts in my mind, worth writing? I don't think so,“ he slowly got up and went upstairs.

 

Lena put the dishes in the dish washer, turned it on and moved upstairs. Opening the bedroom door she found him lying on bed, listening to music. She sat down on the bedside, stroking his hand.

 

He pulled one of the earphones out of his ear, looking at her questioningly.

 

„Do you want to talk, or should I go home?“ she asked softly.

 

„As you wish,“ he responded, putting his earphone back in his ear.

 

She pulled it out of his ear. „I'll come tomorrow. You have your lunch in the fridge,“ she stood up and left the room without looking back.

 

*

 

Lena put the book, which Ian gave her today in the afternoon, on her bed. The title read 'Without You', written by Danny Shields. It doesn't sound much promising. She shook her head. She didn't felt like reading it but she'd promised Ian to do it, so she started reading. She needed to distract herself, her thoughts, still flying away to Eric. She still hoped deep in her heart, his attitude would change.

 

The more she read the more she liked it. She was surprised, seeing it was midnight. She rubbed her eyes, got up and straightened her limbs. She took the book, putting a bookmark in it. She read half of the book in one go. She smiled faintly and took the book with her, putting it on the kitchen table.

 

Using the bathroom, she crawled under the covers and as soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell asleep, feeling exhausted.

 

*

 

Waking up in the morning Lena realized it was Saturday. She didn't hurry to get up, turning on her other side, she closed her eyes to just have some more rest. In a few minutes she got up as her thoughts started whirling in her mind.

 

What if he'll never be the man I fell in love with again? What should I do to change him back to his old self? What's happening in his mind? What do I mean to him? Does he like me at all? The way he talked to me yesterday, was too much for me. What if it gets worse?

 

She unlocked the door of his house with mixed feelings. Walking inside she immediately heard him calling her name. She ran upstairs and her heart clenched as she saw him lying down on the floor next to the bathroom door, his face twisted from pain.

 

She kneeled, carefully taking his head between her palms. „What happened?“ she asked, brushing a strand of his hair from his forehead.

 

„I fell because my head was spinning,“ he said, his voice shaking. „I heard something crack. It hurts, Lena,“ he closed his eyes.

 

„OK. Don't move,“ she quickly took off her coat and put it under his head. Then she pulled her phone out of her purse and dialed 911.

 

He listened to her talking to someone as she explained the operator what happened, stroking his hair gently. His eyes closed, he knew this time it would be much worse. Suffering with pain, he tried not to move, he tried to imprint her voice and her touches in his memory. He realized it was the end. I can't bind her to me anymore. Now I am a cripple no matter what. Even though she'd proved she loved me, tolerating my bad moodiness until this moment, now it's the end. He felt moisture in his eyes as two pains joined together, one in his spine and the other in his heart.

 

*

 

Lena was sitting in the waiting room. Her previous thoughts were gone, suppressed by her worries about his health and his life.

 

Immediately Eric was taken in a surgery room as they arrived with the ambulance to the hospital Meritus Health in Hagerstown. It's been two hours.

 

Seeing dr. Mikaelson she jumped on her feet. „Dr. Mikaelson, do you know anything new?“ she walked towards him.

 

„Twelfth vertebra was broken again, Miss Gray, but dr. Goran will tell you more. Please, be patient,“ dr. Mikaelson ran his hand through his hair.

 

„OK, I'll wait,“ she nodded, returning to the chair. In a minute she got up and stepped to the vending machine to buy a cup of coffee. She heard ticking of the clock on the wall as she was sipping her coffee, her nerves on edge.

 

It took another hour before Joel appeared. She got up, threw the empty cup into the trash can and looked at him. „Joel...,“ she trailed off, a lump in her throat. „Dr. Mikaelson told me that the twelfth vertebra was broken again. What does it mean for him?“

 

„Yes, it was. There was a fragment of the broken vertebra which pressed on the spinal cord,“ he put his hand on her lower back and led her to his office. „I removed the pressure, fixing the vertebra,“ he opened the door and let her walk in first. He pullled two bottles of water out of the fridge and handed her one, taking a seat next to her on the couch next to the door.

 

„And... is he going to be alright?“ she said softly, tears in her eyes. She stared at his serious face and her hands started shaking.

 

„It's too soon to tell, Lena. We need to find out if his spinal cord wasn't damaged,“ he spoke slowly. „If it wasn't, it would be a hard and time consuming process but it would be only necessary for the vertebra to grow together again.“

 

„And if...,“ she swallowed, „... it was?“ she put her hand on his forearm, squeezing it.

 

„Then... it would be really bad,“ he brushed his hand against his forehead as he tried to find the right and simple words to explain it to her. „Look, the spine is something like a casing, a protection of the spinal cord. There are many nerves in body,“ he glanced at her to give her a time to process it. „Twelfth vertebra is placed here,“ he put his finger on her lower back, pushing lightly. „In the case... the spinal cord is damaged, you're paralyzed from this place down. The brain ceases to be able to control the lower part of your body.“ He looked in her eyes. „Is it understandable?“

 

„Absolutely,“ Lena let out a sob, wiping her eyes. „Then we have to...,“ she cleared her throat, „... to believe that his spinal cord wasn't damaged.“

 

„Let's hope so,“ he nodded. „You should go home. I'll stay here to keep an eye on him. You can see him tomorrow afternoon. As soon as he wakes up I'll know more.“

 

„I'll come tomorrow at two p.m. if it's OK,“ she sighed. „I'm not sure if I'm going to fall asleep. I know he was a pain in the ass during the last weeks and yesterday he was being a jerk but still I feel for him.“

 

„I know, Lena. I worry about him, too. He's my best friend. Do you want me to give you something for sleep?“

 

„No, it's OK,“ she shook her head no as she got up.

 

„Are you sure?“ he noticed her hands shaking and took her hand. „You could stay over at Eva's, what do you think? I can call her.“

 

„No, you don't have to. I'd better be alone,“ she looked in his eyes firmly. „There's nothing I can do now. Besides we don't know what's next,“ she shrugged. „I'll try to work a bit to distract myself from my thoughts,“ she attempted to smile.

 

„Just let me know when you're home, OK? I'll call you tomorrow and then you can come here,“ he stroked her upper arm gently.

 

„OK,“ she was about to leave but she turned around and hugged him shortly. „Thank you.“

 

„You're welcome,“ he gave her reassuring smile before she left.

 

*

 

Eric was staring at the ceiling. He felt tired after all those examinations. They took him for X-ray, they took his blood and urine example, the room was busy almost the whole day. He didn't even know what the day was and what was the time. He didn't care. He couldn't move and felt like his life came to an end. He quickly closed his eyes, hearing someone walk inside.

 

He recognized Lena, smelling her scent, that filled the room as she pulled the chair next to his bed, before he felt her touch on his hand. He had to try hard not to open his eyes to look in hers. His heart quickened his pace at her voice.

 

„Hi Eric, I'm not sure if you can hear me but Joel told me that everything will be alright,“ she took a deep breath. „Your spinal cord wasn't damaged and it's very good news,“ she cleared her throat.

 

He could sense her emotions. How to tell her that I decided to end what never even started? I was so hard on her but she didn't leave me. She's so young, she doesn't deserve to stay by side of a cripple like me. I just must make her stop loving me. There's no other way. God, help me... You know very well, that I have to do it for her sake. It would be killing for me to have her to take care of me for the rest of my life. I want her to live her life a better way. Feeling her taking his hand into both of hers was tearing his heart apart, yet he kept his eyes firmly closed.

 

She couldn't see the tears, flowing down from the corners of his eyes, as she closed the door behind her after almost two hours spent sitting next to him, speaking to him.

 

*

 

„Do you have a minute, Ian?“ Lena peeked in his office after she'd knocked on the door.

 

„Sure,“ he nodded, raising his eyes from what he was doing. „Come in. I need to talk to you, too,“ he gestured for her to sit down.

 

She took a seat in the chair in front of his desk, putting on it the book that he'd given her before. „You know I was really sceptical when I started reading this,“ she looked up at him. „But... the book is very good in my opinion. I would say it's a drama and romance in one. Who is Danny Shields? It's a really good job.“

 

„Glad to hear it, Lena,“ he leaned in his chair. „Danny Shields is a guy who brought it to me about ten days ago. He's eager to know our opinion. He'd called me yesterday so I wanted to ask you about it. So.. do you think we should publish it?“

 

„Absolutely. As I said before it's a very good read. I'm really sorry it took me so long to finish it,“ she smiled faintly. „Of course some corrections will be necessary but I like it.“

 

„Great. Are you willing to take him under your wing?“ he rested his forearms on the table, watching her.

 

„Yes, I am,“ she nodded. „What?“ she furrowed her forehead as he gave her a long gaze.

 

„You look tired. I'm sorry, I know I say it every time I see you but I can't get rid of the feeling that it's been too much for you lately,“ he shrugged. „Are you sure, you can manage?“

 

„I am,“ she squeezed her lips, averting her eyes. „Eric's not able to write now, his book's out, so...,“ she swallowed, stifling tears.

 

„Lena, what happened?“ he stood up and stepped closer. „Where's the strong young woman you'd been before?“ he took a seat next to her, taking her hand. „Is it about Eric? You told me he would be alright, that his spinal cord wasn't damaged. What's the problem?“

 

„He doesn't believe he'll be alright,“ she wiped her eyes. „He's still very angry. He kept telling me I should find someone else instead of visiting him in the hospital every day.“

 

„You know, perhaps he's in a big stress because of his injury. He might be scared of what the future brings. It's not easy for him, don't you think?“ he offered.

 

„Of course, he's in stress but what about me? He doesn't realize that I'm in stress, too. I worry about his health. When he was at home, I cooked for him every day. After work I went to his place to give him dinner and spend some time with him,“ she shook her head. „I've never heard 'thank you, Lena, for everything you're doing for me'. I was doing it because I loved him, actually I didn't expect any words of gratitude but what I expected, was that he would be glad I was there, that I cared for him... Instead of that he blew up at me, retorted, or he snapped at me,“ she brushed her hand over her face. „Yesterday he shouted at me to go away and not to come back,“ she let out a sob. „It's not fair, Ian,“ she looked at him. „This has been going almost a month and it's getting worse,“ she cleared her throat. „You know, I'm strong but not that much,“ she bobbed her head. „I don't want to take it anymore just because he's sick. Evidently he doesn't love me as much as I thought, if at all.“

 

„I'm really sorry,“ he put his arm around her shoulders, squeezing gently. „He has to feel... helpless. It seems that his health problems have changed him.“

 

„They have but I tried to understand it. I tried to help him, I did my best, Ian. I'm helpless, too,“ she raised her eyes to him. „As if he was blind. He refused to communicate, rejecting me. As if I was the one who hurt him. He doesn't want to see how much he hurts me.“

 

„Oh Lena, I'd like to help you so much,“ he caressed her upper arm, looking in her wet eyes.

 

„You can,“ she wiped her eyes again, getting out of his embrace gently. „I need to work more again. I've been neglecting my work lately and I want to rectify it.“

 

„Good,“ he smiled reassuringly. „We can start with Mr. Shields. What if I told him you would meet him tomorrow afternoon? I believe I don't need to be there. Would you arrange it?“

 

„Wait, do you mean... a deal and everything?“ she lifted her eyebrows as he handed her a folder.

 

„Sure. You're a deputy manager of The Golden Gate from now on,“ he smiled widely. „Are you up for it?“

 

„Yes, I am,“ her face brightened up, a small smile on her lips. „Thank you, boss.“

 

„You're welcome,“ he winked. „I'm going to let you know the date of the appointment.“

 

„OK,“ she took the folder and the book in her hand and moved to the door. Before she opened the door, she turned around, giving him a short one arm hug. „Thanks,“ she left the room, hearing him chuckle.