Page 21 of The Road Home
"Looks about the same as a hospital uses." Orson nodded. "I'm good. I trust you."
"That means a lot." Jared stared into Orson's eyes, emotion swelling inside him as he did. What was it about Orson that was so different? Why did he respond differently to him than any other patient he'd seen? "Let me go get clothes and stuff set out for you, then we'll cut this off. You can grab another drink if you want. Help yourself to anything in the fridge."
"Thanks." Orson followed him out of the shop and into the house.
Jared hurried to his room, trying to think what he had that would fit Orson's smaller frame. Deciding on sweats and a t-shirt, he set them on his bed, then rushed into the bathroom that connected to his room, making sure that he had enough soap and shampoo for him to use. After setting out fresh towels, he hurried back to the kitchen.
Orson stood at the back window, looking out at the yard. He glanced over his shoulder as Jared entered. "I was thinking, if you like the idea, that spot by the back fence would make a good place for your garden. It's not in direct sunlight all day, and it's out of the way, still leaving you room to have a nice sized yard. Then you can clean out those flower beds beside your shop and put flowers in there next summer."
Jared came to stand beside him, glad that Orson was comfortable enough to express his opinions. "You really think I can handle a garden?"
"Why not? It shouldn't be that much trouble."
"I'm lazy." Jared grinned.
"Yeah, so am I, but just think of how good a fresh tomato would be."
"You have a point. Much better than my fast food habit." Jared gently nudged Orson's shoulder. "Who is trying to get who healthy?"
Orson blushed. "I just remember going to see my grandparents when I was little. I'd steal all the cherry tomatoes from her plants every time we'd go over. They were so good. I guess it's just been so long since I've had fresh food like that it makes me crave it."
Jared took note of the fact that Orson wanted fresh food, planning in his mind to make sure he had some around when he came over the next weekend. "I like your idea. We can do that. After you shower, we can eat and talk about what we'll need. I'm no good at this stuff, but we'll figure it out. Ready to get that cast off?"
"Yeah." Orson rubbed a hand over it. "More than ready."
"Then back to the shop." He led the way. "It will only take a second to get it off, but I wanted you to be able to go shower as soon as it was off."
"I'm just glad I'll be able to scratch my arm finally."
"Funny how it never itches until you can't scratch it, isn't it?"
"You're not kidding. I swear I can't recall my arm ever itching until I got this thing on it."
"Just put your arm on the table and don't move. I'm just going to cut through it a bit and it should be able to pull apart." He slowly started to saw through the cast, working his way up the length of it, but careful not to go too deep and risk cutting him.
It only took a few seconds before just a thin layer of the casting held together. Setting the tool down, Jared took hold of the two sides and gently broke it open, allowing Orson to lift his arm out of it.
"That feels so much better." Orson rubbed the skin.
"Can I feel?" Jared prayed he wasn't removing it too soon.
"Sure." Orson held out his arm.
Jared pressed gently over the area the break had been. "It feels good, but you'll have to leave the brace on for at least a week. I'll grab it while you shower. I've left a pile of clothes on my bed for you to change into. Once you finish, you can toss any dirty clothes you have into the washer."
"Just what I'm wearing and another few things in my bag. I don't have much." Orson continued to run his hand over his arm. He finally glanced up. "Thank you for all this."
"You're welcome." Jared didn't want Orson to make a big deal of what he was doing. The truth was, he should have been helping people like this all along. Maybe not bringing them home, but he had plenty that he could donate more or help more. He wasn't sure what it was about Orson that made him finally see what should have been right in front of his face, but now that he had time to think about things and how hard Orson had it, he couldn't stop wondering how many more like him were out there. Maybe Cameron was right, and he should volunteer at the clinic more often. "I'll show you where you can shower, then make us lunch while I wait." He left the discarded cast where it was and headed back toward the house.
Once inside, he led Orson to his bedroom. "I figured it would be easier in here. I don't have shampoo and all that in the main bathroom, but in here, you'll be able to use my soap and shampoo and stuff. I'll get some for the other bathroom since you'll be doing this every weekend." He figured he could even get some clothes for Orson in time. "I hope you don't mind."
"Are you kidding? I'd be happy with the hose in the backyard. You have no idea how hard it is to get a shower out there." Orson looked around the bedroom. "It's nice."
"Thanks." Jared smiled as he pointed to the pile of clothes on the bed. "I'm not sure how well they'll fit, but I hope they'll work. There are clean towels in the bathroom already, and everything you should need. I even put a clean razor on the counter if you want to shave. I wasn't sure what you like."
"Wow, thanks. I'd love to be able to shave." Orson looked overjoyed as he picked up the pile of clothes. "Thanks again."
"No problem. Take your time. I'll make us some sandwiches or something. Yell if you need anything." He gave a wave as he hurried from the room, figuring it was best to leave him alone. Besides, he was already having thoughts about having another man in his shower that he shouldn't be having. It was best he put as much distance between them as he could. As he made his way into the kitchen, he decided it was definitely time to make a trip to the club.
