Page 43 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
Levi set a small glass of water in front of her and Dalton placed one pill on the table.
“It’ll probably make you a little sleepy, so you may want to only take one in the evenings when you really need it.I don’t think you’ll need them for long but with the cleaning I’d recommend it.”
She nodded and picked up the pill then swallowed it down.Memories from being a child and her mother partying in their dirty apartment flooded her mind.There had always been strangers around, and she’d learned quickly they weren’t always nice.Sometimes her mother would pass out or just be gone, and she’d lock herself in her room.But Missy wasn’t her mother and she pushed those thoughts away.
“Alright, I’m going to cut the wrap off, spray the entire surface of your hand with the numbing spray and let that take, then we’ll start the cleaning,” Dalton said, putting on gloves and waiting for her to say she was ready.
“Missy, I’m going cut you a big slice of cake after all this,” Levi said.
It was ridiculous, but it actually made her feel a little better.
“Save me a slice of that cake will ya?”Dalton said.
“No, it’s all for Missy,” Levi said.
She had no idea if there was cake or not but she liked that Levi was trying to distract her again.He leaned against the counter watching from a distance, like a sentry ready to take action if she needed him.And she liked that even more.
“Is my little brother being a nuisance?Probably singing his sad country songs and making you watch every bad baseball movie ever made,” Dalton said in a hushed tone.
Missy kept her hand still but laughed.“Sad country songs?”
“Oh ya, don’t let his silly nature fool you.Levi takes after Gran with his taste in music; in fact I think he’s been to more Dolly Parton events than Gran.”
“What?”Missy said, looking up to find Levi shaking his head.
“Every self-respecting Southern man knows Dolly Parton is a legend and if you haven’t seen her live, you haven’t lived.”
“I don’t even know how to respond to that,” Missy said.
Dalton finally had all the gauze off.“Okay this will feel cold but probably soothing too,” he said holding up a canister and making eye contact with her before he sprayed the cool mist over her entire hand.
“Oh, that does feel good, or maybe the medicine is already kicking in?”
“Maybe both,” Dalton said and he set her hand palm side up on the white cloth.
“I wanna give this a few minutes.Have you been able to sleep or eat much?”
“Last night I slept but then woke up in some pain.The ibuprofen seemed to take the edge off but not much else.I did nap a little today but then I accidentally used my hand a few times and it hurt.”
“Accidentally?”
“In the bathroom, and then on a walk.When I found the conch shell.”
“I get you want some fresh air but you need to be really careful not to get sand in this.”
Missy nodded.
“It was my fault,” Levi said.
Dalton gave him a sideways glance.“Don’t let her get it wet or dirty.”
“Got it,” Levi said.
“Which reminds me, I brought you a sleeve so you can take a shower or a bath.”
“Thanks,” Missy said, and avoided Levi’s eyes because she immediately thought of him helping her in the shower.
“Alright, now the hard part.We’re going to go over to the sink and wash the wound with warm soapy water, and it’s still going to hurt a bit.The old skin is raw and new skin needs time to grow.”
