Chapter 16

He asks almost every hour, “How do you feel?” and “Is your head stinging?” and “Do you have a headache?” and…

I become his patient, someone he can provide care for. Never has anyone taken care of me in my life like this. Not my mother. Not one of my aunts. Not my father. And never a boyfriend or lover…until now.

Twilight descends. The horizon turns a milky purple with splashes of red that outlines the trees, frontstreet, and city houses. If I could paint, the scene would motivate me to do so. A piece called Nursing at Twilight. A majestic painting accomplished in thick oils on canvas.

Following twilight, we snuggle together on his bed and watch The Shape of Water, which we both enjoy, falling in love with its wacky characters and setting. The moment between us becomes more than caring, I realize. We lace our feet and legs together. He holds me in his arms. We eat semi-buttered popcorn from the same bowl.

I heal rather quickly. Any man would in my position.