When Shawn reached home, she told Rebecca everything that had happened. Rebecca gently rubbed her back while she spoke, trying to calm her down. “Baby, she’s going to have to figure it out on her own. Either she embraces who she is on her own or she’ll be miserable. We can’t force her. She’s probably scared.”
Shawn leaned to kiss Rebecca’s lips. “I know. I overreacted. It’s a big step and maybe she is gay or maybe she’s just attracted to Randy, who knows. I just can’t believe she’s being so selfish.
“Let’s go to bed baby. You can attempt to put your arms around me and I’ll pretend I’m not as round as a potbellied pig.” Rebecca smiled, attempting to change the mood.
Shawn laughed. “Come on piggy, let’s go.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “I might need to see just how much I can still reach!”
****
Randy was sitting back in her recliner when she heard another knock at the door. “Jesus Christ, now who is it?” She struggled to get up, careful not to lose her balance and jar her leg again. The last time she did that she almost passed out from the pain. She opened the door, not expecting to see Stacy standing there.
Stacy was still irritated with her sister and was trying to maintain a non-chalet attitude but when she saw Randy’s pale face and the dark circles under her eyes, she melted.
“What are you doing here?” Randy said in an emotionless tone.
Stacy shifted nervously. “My sister said you were home, so I figured I would come see if you needed help before bedtime.”
Randy didn’t make any move to let Stacy in. “What makes now any different than the past week?” She questioned.
Stacy sighed. “Christ, can we not get into it? I came down to help you, do you want my help or not?”
“I don’t need your help now or at all.” Randy answered flatly, trying to turn on her crutches so she could close the door. Unfortunately, her crutch caught on the edge of the door causing her to lose her balance and jar her bad leg. Her face went ghost white as she caught herself. Stacy leapt through the open door and grabbed her around the waist, keeping her from falling.
“Randy, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Please don’t pass out on me ok? Let me help you sit down.” Stacy pulled Randy’s arm around her neck and helped her to the chair.
Randy let out a string of expletives as she settled in the chair. She closed her eyes tight, willing Stacy to be gone when she opened them. Much to her annoyance, she was still standing in front of her. “Please just go. I don’t want your help.” Randy pleaded.
“You may not want it, but you need it. Now I’m going to get your pain medicine because I’m sure you need to take it now. Where are your pj’s? I’ll help you get changed.” Stacy headed towards the coffee table where she saw pill containers sitting.
“Stacy, please. I’m begging you. Just leave me alone.” Randy closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears escaping.
Stacy turned quickly when she heard the break in Randy’s voice. Oh please don’t cry. I can’t take seeing you cry. Goddamnit, why can’t you just let me help you?
“Hey.” She said gently as she knelt down by the chair. “Hey, I’m not going to leave. I’m sorry I didn’t come back to the hospital to see you. I was just dealing with some stuff and I’m sorry. Please, just let me help you ok?”
Randy took a deep breath. “Fine, can we just get this over with?”
Stacy chided herself internally for being such a bitch. “I’ll be as gentle as I can. Here is your medicine.” She handed Randy two pain pills and a glass of water.
Randy obediently swallowed them and handed the glass back. She waited while Stacy returned the glass to the kitchen and came back to help her out of the chair. They maneuvered their way down the hallway to the bathroom.
“I can do this part on my own.” Randy said defiantly.
Stacy tried to hide her smile. “Okay, I’ll be waiting right here. Call me if you need me.”
Randy managed to get in and not-so-gracefully sit down on the toilet. Pain shot through her leg and hip like a hot knife. She flushed the toilet and then tried to get herself into a standing position without putting weight on her leg, but couldn’t manage to get the right leverage. Finally she huffed and muttered to herself. “You there?” She called out.
“Right here. Do you need help?” Stacy answered immediately.
“As much as I hate to admit it, I can’t get up.” Randy grimaced as she finished the sentence.
Stacy slowly opened the door, trying to avert her eyes. “Okay, I’m going to lean down and you put your arms around my neck and then we’ll stand up.”
Randy nodded and as Stacy leaned down, she put her arms around her neck. She could smell Stacy’s perfume and she had the urge to turn her head to kiss her neck. As she stood up fully, she tried to ignore the fact that Stacy’s breasts were pressed against her own and her own sweats were down around her ankles. “We didn’t think this through very well. My sweats…” She finished lamely.
Stacy raised her eyebrows as she leaned back to look at Randy’s face. “Well, let’s see. How about you steady yourself with this crutch for
