Page 38 of A Furry Thing Called Love
Eli and Indie follow me out of the room, and I sigh as I remember why I hate apartments.It’s so much easier to open the back door and let the dogs out.The thought of going downstairs to relieve the dogs… I’m exhausted already.
In the kitchen, I find Valery.They’re pouring coffee, and when they see me, they smile.“Mornin’, you want some?”
“Please.I can get it, though.”
“Nonsense.It’s just coffee.Sit.”
My body thanks me when it’s sitting, though I’m still upright, and I call that a win.Val brings over the coffee, along with cream and sugar.“I can take the dogs out, if you want?”
I snort.“I look that bad, do I?”
“Eh.”They move their hand side to side in a so-so manner.“I wasn’t going to bring it up.Go back to bed.Jor is still snoring away, and I don’t know what you guys have planned, but I am not leaving my apartment until it’s dinnertime.”
I laugh.“We have no plans either.I… The fatigue is kicking my ass already, and my body aches, hence the crutches.I…don’t know what Jor has said about me and my situation, but I have multiple sclerosis.I’m okay right now, partially in remission from my last relapse, but with that comes a little unsteadiness and more fatigue than before.”
Valery’s face softens, but not in sympathy or pity or anything like that—thank fuck.“Jordan didn’t mention anything.Well, he said you needed some accommodations, but you were bringing everything you needed with you.I just asked the relevant questions to make sure I can help smooth out your trip, but he didn’t abuse your privacy or anything.”
My chest warms at their words.I already knew Jordan wasn’t the type of person to blab someone’s business all over the place, but I had told him it was okay to disclose my diagnosis, so that his family knew what they were signing up for.Showing up with a service animal and two different types of mobility aids can be jarring if you’re not prepared for it.I didn’t want them to worry…or see their censor if they had a problem with it.So, it was best to get it out of the way while I was still across the country.
But to know he only gave the most relevant information?Fuck, I think that makes me fall in love with him all over again.
“Then, yes, please.I’d love it if you took the dogs out.My body fuckinghurts.”
Valery laughs at my exaggeration, as I intended.“I can do that.Where are their leads?”
I shrug.“Wherever Jordan dropped them last night.Coffee table, maybe?”
Normally, I’d be okay with Eli going out without a leash, but Valery is technically a stranger, and this is a new city.It’s better to be safe than sorry for both dogs.
“Doggie bags should be there too.”
Val makes a face at the possibility of having to pick up poop, but otherwise doesn’t complain.
Picking up my coffee, I take an appreciative sip before levering myself out of the kitchen chair and slowly crossing over to sit on the couch.I groan as I sink into the cushions, content to stay in this spot all day, so long as I have coffee.
Fucking hell, I hate traveling.It was a bitch before MS took over, and now it’s just ridiculous.
What’s worse, for me, at least—aside from the pain, the uncertainty of when a relapse may occur, and the terrifying thought of one day not being able to walk on my own—is the fatigue.Fucking hell.If it was just tiredness, it’d be different.I could just go to bed and sleep until I’m no longer tired.It…doesn’t quite work like that with fatigue though.Not when the sense of exhaustion seeps into my very bones, when it’s not the type of tired sleep can fix.When the dizziness hits because I move too fast and my reflexes are shit.
I can deal with it on a day-to-day basis because I’ve learned to push through my baseline.But on days like today, when even myhairfeels weary and worn down…it’s a special kind of hell that can fuck right off a cliff.
Valery comes back in and Eli jumps on the couch with me.“No, down,” I tell him.
“It’s fine,” Valery reassures.“Trust me, dog hair is the least offensive thing that’s happened on that couch.”
I make a face at that.There are some things I donotwant to think about.
“Are you hungry?I can order breakfast?I’d say make breakfast, but…I kinda ran out of time this week to go shopping.I already put a grocery order in, it should be here in a little while, but we can order food if you’re hungry now.”
“Meh, not really.When I feel like this, everything else kinda just…fades away.I’m going to become one with the couch for a few hours, so we’ll see how I feel around lunch.”
“Do… We can cancel tonight, if you’re not up for it.It was just the first available night Denver had off—they mostly work nights at the children’s hospital—but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind moving it.”
“No, no.I promise, I’ll be fine.If I’m not feeling more alive later on, I’ll let you know, but please, I already have Jordan as a mother hen, I don’t need another.”
Val lets out a soft laugh.“Fair.Well, feel free to veg all you want then.That’s what I’m planning to do today.I think I needed this vacation more than you and Jordan.Work has been kicking my ass.”
“What do you do?I don’t think Jordan’s ever said.”
