Chema nods.
“Good. I’ll be less worried,” says Rory.
The proposed plan is appealing. The man I have the hots for doesn’t have to see my physical decline, and one of my best friends can help me if I need it. I’m not sure when I became okay with the idea of help, but I did. It might have to do with the fact that not letting the people in my life who love me help me was in fact hurting them. I was hurting them, and I don’t want to keep on hurting them.
“Chema? Are you staying for a while?”
“Until you’re out of the woods,” he says.
“And the gym?”
“It’s taken care of. Don’t worry.”
“Well, um. I gave Valentina her spare key back. You can take that. I can show you to her apartment if you’d like,” says Rory to Chema.
“Why don’t we wait for me to be discharged, and we can go together?” I ask, suddenly nervous about leaving them together alone.
“They’re keeping you overnight for observation, making sure you’re responding well to the antibiotics, but you look much better, so I’m sure they’ll discharge you in the morning,” says Rory, who I know had to ask Sara for that information.
It’s not ideal, but I have no further objections. At least not persuasive ones. I reassure Chema I’ll be fine while he goes to freshen up and catch a nap before coming back.
“Rory?”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll see you soon?” I ask because it is a question.
Rory’s mouth upturns into a crooked smile, almost as if he were upset by the new arrangement. “Yeah, soon,” he says.
Rory walks out of the room first, and Chema lingers for a bit.
“You aren’t going to tell him I’m—”
“Don’t you dare tell him,” I warn my gentle giant, and he smiles knowingly at me. “Chema, thanks for coming. I’m glad you’re here. Really.”
“I’m always here for you, Tini,” he says and walks out of my room after Rory. I can only imagine what they will talk about.