It’s fascinating to me when total relief washes over his face. “Thank you for getting that about me. For understanding.”
“It will get better,” I promise.
“I hope you’re right,” he replies.
“It will,” I say adamantly. “I know, because I’ve been in a really dark place. Eventually, it gets brighter. Little by little, you’ll break away from that. I know you can do it if I did. You’re far stronger than I ever was.”
“You’re pretty damn strong,” Malik murmurs with an acknowledgment of respect in his tone.
“I’ll help you along the way,” I promise, and I’m heartened when he nods in acceptance.CHAPTER 9MalikI mop the sweat at the nape of my neck with the t-shirt I’d ditched about fifteen minutes into my workout, then sling it over my shoulder. Glancing down, I can’t help but grimace at my ribs that are still showing through my skin, but I figure they’ll disappear with another month or so of high-caloric intake.
It’s not like I’m completely emaciated, thank fuck. When I’d been captured back in June, I was a pretty big dude. I’d seriously worked out and had a storage of thick muscle when I’d gone into captivity. Some had withered down, but I was steadily building it back up. The ribs still showing are merely the result of having my low body fat drop beyond a healthy amount, but at least my stomach is no longer caved inward from starvation. At the rate I’m going, I might even have a little pooch by springtime.
Just today I held nothing back. I might not be knee-deep in turkey and mashed potatoes, but I made a huge breakfast—four eggs, six slices of bacon, a mountain of fried potatoes, and two pieces of toast.
Basically, I laid around feeling sick to my stomach and watched a movie, then had a frozen pizza for lunch. I washed it down with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, then watched another movie.
It was around midafternoon when I got up the gumption to remind myself that today wasn’t actually a holiday and there was no rest for the weary. I hauled myself over to the gym—also located on the fourth floor of the Jameson building—and got in a pretty intense leg workout.
In fact, they’re a little wobbly as I walk back to my apartment, but I’m proud of myself and the effort I’m putting into getting my health back on track. I’m determined to bounce back as quickly as possible so there is nothing holding me back for a return to full duty.
I reach into the pocket of my shorts and pull out the key, sliding it into the lock. Just as I start to turn it, I jolt when I hear a feminine voice behind me.
“Hey, Malik.”
My skin tingles as I recognize Anna’s voice. Slowly, I turn my head to see her coming off the elevator. She has her daughter strapped to her chest in some type of hammock-looking scarfy-thing, an arm under to support the baby’s weight, and a large paper bag with handles in the other hand.
I move from my door to her, taking the bag to lighten her load. “Hey.”
My gaze falls to the top of the baby’s head. Her eyes are closed, one tiny first curled up near her mouth. When I glance back at Anna, she smiles. “This kid can sleep anywhere.”
I nod, grinning back.
There’s a tiny moment of awkward silence, but then she gestures at the bag I’d taken from her. “I decided to bring you Thanksgiving dinner.”
My eyes widen as my stomach grumbles with interest. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Oh, trust me… I did,” she says with a laugh. “We had so many leftovers that we just couldn’t fit them all in the refrigerator.”
I heft the bag up and down a few times, noting how heavy it is and feeling bad Anna hauled it all the way up here while carrying a baby. “Did you put an entire turkey in here?”
That tinkling laugh filters through the air, and it amazes me how much I like the sound of it. “Let’s see… I put some turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, three types of stuffing—plain, herbed, and oyster—corn, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, rolls, cabbage rolls, pierogis, and three types of pie—apple, pumpkin, and pecan.”
“Christ,” I mutter as I turn back for my door. “I just gained ten pounds listening to that. Thanks!”
I glance back, find Anna just standing there, and motion with my head. “Well… come on in. You can watch me eat myself silly if you want.”
She doesn’t hesitate, shooting me a dazzling grin as she hurries my way. “Actually… we ate around one today, so I’m hungry again. I’ll join you if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” I say as I lead her into my small apartment. I wait for her to cross the threshold, then shut the door.