Who knows, maybe I'll get the chance.
3
Anna
I can't, I just can't with this guy.
I'm standing in my new room, my hands on my hips with my heart still pounding inside my chest. It's a strange mix of desire and anger. I'm not sure what to do with it.
Day one and already nothing is going as planned. I thought a lot of different things about doing this, and now I'm questioning all of it.
How the hell am I going to survive with this guy here for lord knows how long? Especially if it turns out gray jogging pants are his everyday attire. I'll never be able to look at him without my eyes wanting to drop to the bulge between his legs.
I run open palms over my head and down my face, then look around the room. It reminds me of a bed and breakfast in some small town back home. Old, used furniture that's been polished so many times it now has a foggy sheen. The dresser against the wall in front of me has a giant mirror pinned above it.
There are generic pictures of flowers and the ocean on the walls. Each one is labeled with a small tag. The ocean pictures were taken in Cape Cod back in the early nineties. The sunflowers are from Colby Farm in Newbury, and the one with daffodils is from the Parsons Reserve in Dartmouth.
The room is a palette of yellows, blues, and whites. Blue walls, yellow bedding, long sheer white curtains. The floor is solid wood oak that creeks softly as I move to the bed and sit down.
I glance at my bags but decide not to do anything with them right now. Instead, I dig my phone out of my purse and call Betty.
“Hello?” she says, her voice groggy like she's just waking up.
“Hey, did I wake you?”
“No, no, it's just the drugs they're giving me here. Man, if I could have gotten stuff like this back in high school. . .” her voice trails off and she giggles. “I'm kidding, but seriously, these nurses are keeping me pain free.”
“That's good. Yeah, your brother,” I say, dragging out the last word, “told me what happened. I'm so happy you're okay.”
“Mostly okay. My leg is screwed up right now, and my head looks like I became the subject of mad scientist.”
“Did you get them do any upgrades on you? Bionic leg or mind control plate?” I chuckle and she laughs with me.
“I wish. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with the same old leg. Although I did ask after surgery if they replaced it with a gun like in that movie. The doctor just laughed and told me to stop watching zombie films.”
I'm feeling a little better. A good laugh always helps, and Betty is good at that. That's the first thing I noticed about her when we started talking before I took the place. She's got a great sense of humor.
“Hey, sorry I didn't tell you about my brother.”
“It's fine, you were in an accident.”
“I know, I just feel bad I wasn't there for you, and it was him instead.”
“He did take me by surprise. I almost screamed for someone to call the cops.”
She giggles, her voice raspy through the speaker. “He's always been a pain in my ass, but he's a good guy. He is a playboy though, so you might want to give him some space, let him do his thing. But he'll help you with anything you need. Hey!” she yells out. “I've got a great idea.”
“Oh yeah? I'm a little afraid of what you're going to say with all the drugs you're on.”
“Right! Me too sometimes.” She laughs one hearty laugh. “But seriously, this is good. Dash knows the city so damn good. Better than me, even, and I know it pretty damn well. How about he takes you out and shows you around?”
“Oh, no, that's all right. I can go explore on my own”
“Nonsense, Dash can do it.”
“Really, it's fine. I appreciate it and all, but I don't want to burden him.”
Oh no no no. No thank you. I'm good.
“Stop, you won't be burdening him at all. Tell him I said he needs to do it. He won't argue with you about it, I promise.”
“Yeah, I'll think about it. Right now, I just want to get some rest. I had a long flight and could use a good sleep.”
“Call me tomorrow. I get bored as hell in here. The doctor said it might be a couple weeks before the whole leg cast can come off.”
“So, you don't know when you're getting out yet?”
“Not yet. Right now, my leg is dangling from the ceiling like a damn chandelier.” Betty giggles and yawns at the same time. “All right, I'm gonna pass out too. Talk tomorrow.”
After hanging up, I set my phone on the nightstand next to the bed and flop back. The stiff pillows puff up with a thunk, and the mattress springs squeak with my weight. I don't even change or wash my face. I fall asleep almost instantly.