Chapter 36

“Don’t overdo it, man. This is more about muscle movement than how much weight your leg can bear.” We shuffled out the door and made it perhaps a third of the way to the nurses’ station before he said, “That’s enough for this trip. John can try for a little more distance in the morning,” and we shuffled our way back to my room. As usual, I was sweating profusely and hurting like hell by the time I was back in bed.

Without being asked to do so, Sam pulled the curtains and washed me as thoroughly as you can wash anyone who is flat on his back, and I said, “Thanks, Sam. A shower would have been a lot better, but I guess this is as good as it gets right now.”

“You got that right,” he said as he got me into a gown and tidied up the bed. I reached for the drip controls as he walked out the door, and lay back to wait for the pain to recede. I must have dozed off, because I was awakened by Philip sticking his tongue hungrily down my throat.

“God, I can’t wait until pumpkin time,” he said.