Page 249 of This Woman Forever

I feel something on my face, tickling. Fuck, that’s annoying. I try to disregard it, try to listen.

“And what about you, Ava? You need to be taking care of yourself.”

Yes, Dad, tell her. You tell her to look after herself or it’ll be thirteen Sense Fucks.

“I’m fine.”

See? Do you see the level of stubbornness I have to contend with?

“Will you let us take you for something to eat? Not far, just down to the hospital restaurant.”

You go, Ava Ward, or so help me God.

“I’m not leaving him. He might wake up, and I won’t be here.”

For fuck’s sake, woman.

“I understand.”

You shouldn’t. She needs to eat.

“Perhaps we can bring you something, then?”

“No, thank you.”

For the love of God!

“Ava, please.”

Amalie? Amalie, is that you?

My arm is suddenly moving, not because I made it move, but because I’m about to be prodded at again for the thousandth time.

“Good evening,” the nurse says.

Evening.

“How is this fine specimen of a man today?”

Yes, that’s me. Fit as fuck.

“Let’s see what’s going on.” I’m pulled here, pushed there, something is stuck in my ear. And won’t someone stop that irritating beeping sound? “Just the same. You have a strong, determined man, sweetheart.”

And a pissed off one too.

I try to lift a hand and fail. Deciding I might be trying for too much, I try to lift a finger, focus really hard, put everything I have into it. Fuck. Everything hurts. But then...

I breathe in. Oh my God, I moved it. My finger definitely moved.

“I know,” Ava sighs.

I focus on my finger again, trying to make it move, to make them see I’m here. Hearing. Listening. Come on, come on, come o?—

What the fuck?

I stop trying to move, distracted.

What is that?

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