Page 55 of The Wrong Sister

“Get. Out.” I manage, swallowing around the fire in my throat.

“Now I know you don’t mean that. I brought you a gift. You really should do a better job of showing your gratitude, Mina. Aren’t you grateful I didn’t hurt that latest guy of yours?”’

My lips are trembling and I’m gripping the thin hospital blanket so hard my fingers ache. “Leave.” Gulp. “Please leave.” Sniffle.

“Or wait…maybe it doesn’t matter that I didn’t hurt him. Because now he’s seen where being with wild, impetuous, leaps-without-thinking Mina gets you. I bet steady, reliable Catherine is looking pretty good right about now. Hell, anybody would be better than you.”

I sob loudly and a warm hand rests on my arm, rubbing lightly.

“Meena, you’re ok. I’m right here, you’re safe.” I blink the tears out of my eye and Griffin is sitting in the chair next to the bed, white paper pharmacy bag in hand. “It was just a nightmare. Let’s get you home, ya?”

When we finally walk into my apartment I want to cry again, this time from relief. Griffin takes care of everything. He settles me on the couch while texting an update to our families. He puts my purse up and draws me a bath. He lowers me into the hot water, cushioning my broken arm on the side of the tub with a towel. I lean my head back, allowing my muscles to relax in the heat. I can hear Griffin in the background, and that allows my mind to relax too.

He comes back in and bathes me. It’s the kindest, gentlest thing a man has ever done for me. He’s tender, washing my skin with the utmost care. He washes my hair the same way, leaving me feeling both clean and nurtured. Tears are streaming down my face and I don’t have the energy or the desire to stop them. I’m overwhelmed and exhausted. With Griffin’s help, I get dried off and dressed in comfortable clothes. He takes me back to my bedroom and I can see that he’s changed my sheets.

There are few things better than sliding between clean sheets in a freshly made bed. It’s one of life’s simple, perfect pleasures. I sink into my pillow, relishing the feel of the cool linen. Griffin sits next to me, stroking my hair and I sink quickly into sleep, the amount I feel cared for surpassing even my weariness.

33

griffin

I’m stretched out on Mina’s bed, watching her sleep. She looks so small, soft, and vulnerable. And hurt. I feel helpless. I’m doing everything I can to take care of her, but it feels like it’s not enough. She insists she’s fine, that it’s not a big deal, but I’m not as tough as she is. I worry about her pushing herself too hard, too fast. I worry about how she’s feeling. She seems off. Down. But that could also be the exhaustion. Her fingers are looped loosely through mine, having relaxed in sleep. My phone vibrates and I hear her front door opening. It’s Catherine. I slide myself carefully off the bed, not wanting to wake Mina. Closing the door quietly, I meet Catherine in the living room.

“Whoa, Griffin. Not to be harsh, but you look like shit.”

“Thanks for that, Catherine.” I rub my hand across my face, feeling what is starting to become an actual beard.

She looks concerned, not judgmental. “You haven’t left her side at all, have you?” I shake my head. “I have a couple of hours. Go home. Shower, change clothes, do whatever you need to do. I’ll be here. But the shower and clothes aren’t a suggestion. You’re rank.”

I hug her tiredly. “Thank you for coming. It shouldn’t take me that long, but I do need to run to my office. I’ll be back soon.”

I know I look awful and likely smell worse, but I head to the office first. It’s the farthest from Mina’s so I want to get it out of the way first. I’m working from home for the next few days. At least until I’m more comfortable leaving Mina on her own. Or until she returns to work. Either way, I have case files I need. I walk into the office, almost running into Steven, one of the partners. He looks impeccable, as always, and I’m suddenly very aware of my disheveled appearance.

“Griffin? Are you ok? We weren’t expecting to see you.” He puts a hand on my shoulder, peering at me closely. I glance down at my watch and see it’s after 3 pm.

“Sorry, Steven. I didn’t even know what time it is. I should have waited and come in after hours, my internal clock is all messed up, I’ve been up with Mina when the pain gets bad and she can’t sleep until the medicine kicks in…” I’m rambling. “Sorry.” I shake my head, trying to organize my scattered thoughts.

“How is she?”

“On the mend.”

“Glad to hear it. Take whatever you need and check in via email or phone. We’re not concerned with your ability to keep up with your caseload from home. We’ll shift around whatever we need to here. Let us know if there’s anything else we can do.”

I shake his hand and hurry to my office, giving Linda a nod as I walk by. I know she’s the one that sent Mina flowers. Linda personally, not the firm. She’s a gem. I need to remember to thank her. Later. When I can hug her without making her gag. I grab the files I need and pack everything into my briefcase.

Linda stops me with a firm grip on my forearm as I pull my office door shut behind me. “You tell Mina we’re thinking about her, ok? And I ordered you two tonkotsu ramen tonight from my favorite place in Chinatown. It will be delivered in a couple of hours.” She gives me a teary little smile and nudges me toward the door.

Feeling a little choked up by Linda’s kind gesture, I hurry back to my apartment. I don’t want to inconvenience Catherine any more than necessary and I don’t want Mina to wake up and find me gone.

Catherine was being too kind when she told me I look like shit. I look like death. I haven’t been sleeping very well nor have I been great about eating. That’s not good. I can’t help Mina if I crash. I take a quick shower, shave off my heinous beard, and put on clean clothes. I almost feel like a human again. Then I pack a bag, making sure I have what I need to stay at Mina’s for the week. I take my briefcase, laptop, duffle bag, and the last of the fresh food left in my fridge.

I let myself in and put the food away first. Then I take my bag to Mina’s bedroom where Catherine is sitting at the end of the bed, reading a book. She sees me and stands up, walking out into the hallway. I follow her out, leaving the door open a crack. I need to hear if Mina calls out.

“Did she wake up while I was gone?”

“No, she’s been sleeping the whole time. A little restlessly, but sleeping.” Her expression is concerned. I know what that’s about.

“She’s been having nightmares. Who wouldn’t?”

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