20. Ell-rom

20

ELL-ROM

E ll-rom wasn't sure what had woken him up. He had dreamt about Jasmine kissing his forehead, and it had felt incredibly real.

"Good morning? Did I sleep through the night?"

She laughed. "I should have said good evening, but it sounds off as something to say to someone who has just woken up."

With her face hovering so close, he could just lift his head and capture her lips in a kiss, but what if that was unacceptable?

He didn't know enough about Earth's customs, or any other customs for that matter, and he couldn't use common sense because that needed to be based on something, and he had next to nothing to go on.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Good. Refreshed." He also felt an urgent need to empty his bladder, but he wasn't going to mention it.

Some things were instinctive, and Ell-rom knew that asking Jasmine to help him in the bathroom was not advisable. Perhaps it was Bridget's comment about males needing to appear strong and capable in front of the females they were interested in.

Glancing at the walker standing by his bed, he considered braving the bathroom by himself instead of calling Julian to help him. If he could manage that, it would be a huge improvement in the quality of his life.

It was such a simple thing, just to be able to use the bathroom in privacy so he could preserve his dignity, and it would be a big step.

Ell-rom lifted his hand and cupped Jasmine's cheek. "I have a favor I need to ask of you."

"Anything," she breathed.

"Could you help me to the walker? I'd like to try using the bathroom on my own."

For a moment, she looked disappointed, but then her eyes widened. "I'll gladly help you to the bathroom."

"Just with the walker, please. I want to do the rest by myself."

"Are you sure? Maybe we should call Julian..."

Ell-rom shook his head, determination setting in. "No, I know that I can do this. If I managed to walk up and down the corridor with the walker, I can get to the bathroom. I just need a little help getting started."

Jasmine nodded and turned to get the walking device. She positioned it next to the bed and then helped Ell-rom swing his legs over the side.

With her support, he managed to stand, gripping the handles of the walker with all of his meager strength.

"Thank you," he said, offering her a reassuring smile. "I've got it from here."

She followed him to the door, but as he opened it, he turned and shook his head. "I'm going in by myself."

Jasmine didn't look happy. "I'll be right here. If you need me, call out."

"I'll be fine." Ell-rom gave her one last reassuring smile before closing the door behind him.

Once inside, he was grateful for the special holding bars installed throughout the space. They provided much-needed support as he lowered himself onto the toilet and, when he was done, to hoist himself back up.

Feeling emboldened by his success, Ell-rom decided to push himself a little more. He had been a little sweaty after his walk, and washing his feet had not really addressed the rest of his body.

Besides, he longed for the experience of taking a shower by himself.

Carefully maneuvering so he could undress while leaning against the counter and holding one of the bars, he got rid of the blue matching set of pants and shirt, stepped into the shower, grabbed hold of another bar, and sat down on the stool.

For a moment, he just sat there to catch his breath, and then he reached for the handheld spout and turned the water on.

It was a strain to hold the spray nozzle over his head and then move it around his body to reach all the places he needed to be cleaned. The soap dispenser was thankfully within reach, and Ell-rom took care to soap every part of his body and then wash the soap off.

"Ell-rom?" Jasmine called from behind the closed door. "Are you okay in there?"

"I'm perfect. I'm just finishing my first independent shower."

"Be careful, will you? Don't you dare slip on the wet floor and break something."

"I'm being very careful, and I am holding onto the bars all over this bathroom. Can you do me a favor, though? I need a fresh set of clothes. Julian said that there are plenty of them in the supply closet."

"I'm on it. Just don't move until I'm back."

He had no intention of staying seated on the stool and air drying. There was a big, fluffy towel hanging outside the stall that called to him.

"I'm just going to brush my teeth," he called out.

"Be careful. Please."

Wrapping himself in the towel, Ell-rom stood in front of the mirror and leaned against the vanity for support. He reached for the toothbrush and the toothpaste and squeezed out a little of it on the brush like he had seen Julian do.

As he brushed, Ell-rom studied his reflection. The face staring back at him was still unfamiliar, but he was starting to acknowledge it as his own. His head was nearly bald, with a fuzzy growth of dark hair, but he didn't mind the look. Perhaps he would keep it that way.

A knock on the door interrupted his musings. "Ell-rom?" Julian's voice came through. "I've got clothes for you."

"Come in," he called, making sure his towel was secure around him.

Julian entered with a bundle of folded clothing in his arms.

"Well, look at you." He grinned. "Congratulations on your first independent shower." He put the bundle on the counter next to Ell-rom. "Just don't get too confident. Falls can be dangerous in your condition. Your bones are still regenerating, and they are still brittle."

Ell-rom blinked in surprise. He hadn't realized his bones had been affected by the stasis. "I didn't know that," he admitted.

"Do you need help getting dressed?" Julian asked.

Ell-rom shook his head, determined to complete this task on his own as well. "No, thank you. I want to do everything myself from start to finish. I need this small victory."

"I get it." Julian nodded. "But don't hesitate to call if you need assistance. I'll stay outside the door until you are out."

It was a reasonable compromise. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

When the door closed behind Julian, Ell-rom turned his attention to the clothes. They were the same as the ones he wore before. Julian explained that medics wore those when they were on duty, and that was why he had a bunch of them on hand. They were made to fit different body types and were loose and comfortable. The pants could be cinched at the waist by pulling a drawstring, and he managed to tie it after a few fumbling attempts. The shirt was a simple, square-cut design that he pulled over his head. The fabric was soft against his skin, and the garments had a faint smell of cleaning detergent that was quite pleasant.

Ell-rom felt a nearly euphoric sense of accomplishment at what he had managed.

Taking hold of the walker, he moved across to the bathroom door, opened it, and walked out.

Jasmine's face lit up as she saw him. "Look at you!" She clapped her hands. "You did it!"

He smiled. "It feels good to be a little more self-sufficient."