Chapter 6

HoldingBodhi’s hand in mine, I mulled over everything that had just happened. I’d seen the shift in Bodhi as the doctor went over his wrist injuries and the way he’d just about shut down.

Then, there were the bruises on his ribs.

I’d seen marks like those before. I knew a fist had made them.

His edginess, unease, and anxiousness made a lot more sense now. Someone had done that to him. Anger built inside me, boiling hot, as a fierce protectiveness settled over me. I hated bullies and anyone who laid their hands on someone with malice. Theo had had bruises like that in sophomore year. He hadn’t told us, either. I resolved that Bodhi would be different, that he could talk to me, that I would keep him safe. I needed to gain control and tamp down on my anger. There was nothing I could do. At least, not right now....

My thoughts were interrupted as a young nurse in blue scrubs came in. She smiled at us and went about laying out the materials for the cast, then got to work moving and adjusting Bodhi’s wrist. I was studying him as she narrated her process as if she’d done it a thousand times, all while reassuring him.

He looked exhausted, like he carried more than just the pain and day’s long weariness. He was friendly enough with the nurse but didn’t invite questions, just watched her impassively as she worked.

Midway through his wrist casting, a lady from registration came in to go over the paperwork. She was as stuffy and no-nonsense as you’d expect. Limited empathy.

“We need you to sign your discharge papers and the bill,” she droned. “You have active insurance, which will cover some of your bill, the excess will need to be paid in?—”

“Wait!” Bodhi exclaimed suddenly. “No! I don’t have insurance. You can’t use that insurance!” He pulled back from the nurse, smearing wet plaster over his pants, the wheelchair, and the floor; he even splattered the woman from registration, who jumped back, looking disgruntled.

Bodhi was frantic, on his way to a panic attack. “Please, I just need the full bill. No insurance!”

The lady seemed completely confused. “But your insurance will cover?—”

“No! No insurance! P-p-please.” He looked like he was going to grab the paperwork from her and rip it up. He was almost hysterical.

I quickly tried to reassure him, placing my hands on his shoulders as I stood and leaned in. “Shh, it’s okay,” I whispered in his ear. “We can work this out. Take a breath for me.”

Turning to the lady from registration, I flashed a smile. “What do we need to do to get the full bill and remove his insurance?”

She went through what she needed for the new paperwork, looking thoroughly pissed at the extra work. Bodhi was still on edge, breathing heavily. It was easier to give them the garage’s address than to try and get any relevant information out of Bodhi right now. I also gave them the office number, too, since I hadn’t seen Bodhi with a cell phone. I had to wonder if he even had one.

I quickly went through the paperwork, ensuring that the woman made a note to not use his insurance and confirmed the new billing address. I hoped he would let me help him out when the bill came in.

Once she had the information, she quickly left the room.

Turning back to Bodhi, I retook my seat next to him. He’d completely zoned out while sitting stock-still as the poor nurse redid his cast, then cleaned up the splattered plaster. I took his good hand in mine, letting him know I was there and that he was okay.

Giving him a reassuring squeeze, I hoped he would look at me. He didn’t, but I was rewarded with a return squeeze. “We’ll get it worked out, okay?” I said.

He rasped out “thank you,” and then continued to sit stoically, watching the nurse.

Once the nurse was finished, she left and came back in with the adjustable boot and some thick fabric sock-like tubing. She explained how it worked and showed us both how tight it should be and how to put it on and take it off. He would have to wear it for six weeks, and then get it checked by a doctor. He needed to stay off his foot as much as possible and continue with ice and elevation as the doctor ordered.

The nurse suggested a knee walker rather than a wheelchair, since it could be stored easily and would still allow for more independence and less use of his wrist. She also suggested crutches that looped around the forearm rather than the usual ones that required both arms to use as a much cheaper option, but warned Bodhi that these would still require his arms, some practiced coordination, and likely be painful to use with his wrist cast, especially to start. She also had his pain relief script from the doctor, his discharge papers, and instructed us on where to go to have the script filled and where we could pick up some crutches.

Bodhi’s whole body sagged with relief when he knew we were leaving soon. His tired blue eyes all but sparkled. Carefully placing his newly strapped and booted foot into the wheelchair stirrups and the papers on his lap, I then maneuvered him out and across the hospital to pick up what we needed. Bodhi was extremely resistant to the knee walker because of the price, but I insisted. Seeing him in so much pain just did something to me, and if I could lessen his load, even a little bit, I would.

Once we had everything and I was getting Bodhi settled in the truck, I finally realized how hungry I was and saw that we really had been here almost all day. It was nearing four o’clock. Bodhi grimaced as he tried to adjust himself in the seat and reach for his belt to buckle, but he couldn’t quite manage it. I took over and buckled him in, then rushed around to the driver’s side.

“Are you hungry?” I asked.

“Dear God, yes! I’m starving,” he exclaimed and let his head fall back. “I thought you’d eaten at some point. Oh, my goodness!” Sitting up, he grabbed my arm looking horrified. “I’m so sorry you had to wait around all day for me. You should’ve just left. I could’ve managed.”

He seemed so frustrated. I rested my hand over his on my arm. “It’s okay,” I said, once he looked at me. “I was happy to help. There’s an In-N-Out Burger down the street. Why don’t we grab some food? You can have your new painkiller, and then we’ll head back. Sound good?”

The smile that lit up his face was radiant. “Yes, please! It’s been so long since I’ve had one of those shakes. Thank you!” He was practically bouncing in his seat.

I started the truck and headed down the street, smiling the whole way. I went through the drive-through line and ordered. Bodhi became so much more talkative once he had some food in him. Maybe he’d just been hungry. He practically devoured his burger before I had even managed to half unwrap mine so I could eat and drive. He turned the radio on and was so cute bopping along to some pop song while swirling his fries through his chocolate shake and eating them. He caught me watching him and smirked. “It’s the only way to eat fries.”

His statement was so serious I had to chuckle. “Is that so?”

“Absolutely,” he concluded while popping another thick, shake-covered fry into his mouth. A little of the liquid smeared over his lower lip and his tongue darted out to catch it, causing my mind to drift. What else can that tongue do? I was hypnotized. Shit, eyes on the road, Atticus! Shaking myself out of my stupor and detouring away from the direction my thoughts had taken me, I quickly focused on my burger and the road.

After we’d finished our food, or at least, I’d finished my burger and Bodhi had eaten my fries along with his, he seemed to be fading fast.

I nudged his shoulder. “Have your painkiller and rest. We have about half an hour till we’re back in Hope’s Ridge.”

He did as I’d instructed, taking my Coke to wash down his pills while looking at me and daring me to protest. I just smirked at him and raised an eyebrow, but really, I was glad to see him relaxing around me. He shifted to get comfortable and very quickly fell asleep for the rest of the drive.

When we arrived back in town, it was almost six o’clock and the sun had nearly set. I wasn’t sure where he was staying, and he looked peaceful, so rather than second-guessing myself I headed back to my place. He was so groggy that he barely acknowledged me as I carried him inside and laid him on my couch in the living room. After bringing in his backpack, knee walker, and crutches, I placed them by the couch and went into the kitchen to fill a glass of water, then set it on the coffee table.

It was still early, and I didn’t want him to wake up in a strange place and freak out, so I sat on one of the recliners and turned on the TV to something mindless while I waited for him to come back to the land of the living.

The next thing I knew, I jerked awake to a loud crash and water soaking into the leg of my overalls. Sitting up quickly, I glanced around my nearly dark living room, the only light coming from the TV. Bodhi was awkwardly kneeling on the area rug while trying to pick up pieces of the broken glass with the hand that was in a cast. Many of the pieces were caught in the shag rug and scattered on the wooden floor. I would need to get the vacuum out, but first I needed to help Bodhi.

“Hey now, let me do that.” I jumped into action and carefully took the broken pieces away from Bodhi, then set them on the coffee table.

He was muttering “sorry, sorry, sorry” repeatedly. He didn’t even seem to notice me as he kept trying to reach for the glass shards.

“Hey!” I said loudly enough to get his attention.

His head shot up to look at me as he froze, and I saw his eyes were wet with tears.

After coming around the coffee table to his other side, I reached out to help him, but he flinched away from me, shuffling back toward the broken glass.

“Bodhi, it’s me, Atticus.” Holding my hands up, palms out, I spoke softly and calmly. “You’re safe. I’m not going to hurt you.”

He paused in his movements. “Atticus,” he whispered.

“Yes, it’s me. Is it okay if I help you onto the couch?” I moved forward slowly at his nod and carefully lifted him onto the couch. I crouched in front of him and placed my hands on his knees to help ground him while catching his gaze. “You’re okay.”

He’d started rocking back and forth, so I rose and sat next to him on the couch. I cautiously placed my arm around his shoulders. He stopped rocking but was still crying. I didn’t really know what had happened, so I tried my best to reassure him and let him get it out of his system. Once he’d calmed down, he pulled back from me and wiped his nose on the sleeve of his hoodie.

“Are you okay? What happened?” I asked hesitantly.

He just shook his head, pulling at the edge of his sleeve.

“You can talk to me.”

“I just had a bad dream, and when I woke I didn’t know where I was.” He took a snuffling breath. “Sorry about your glass.”

“Don’t worry. It’s just a glass.”

“I’m okay now,” he said but didn’t move or stop fiddling with his sleeve.

“Well to answer your unasked question, you’re at my house. I didn’t know where you were staying, and you were knocked out, either from the day’s events or the pain pills or both. I wanted to let you rest and just brought you here. I’m sorry I didn’t ask first.” I added that last bit, hoping I hadn’t overstepped.

He sucked in a deep breath.

“Do you want me to take you to your place now? It’s late, but I’m happy to take you where you want to go or—” I hesitated for a moment. “—you could just stay here. The couch is comfy. I do have a guest room if you’d prefer. It’s no trouble, really.” I stopped talking and waited to see what he would say.

“Can you help me to the bathroom?”

I barked out a laugh. “Of course.” I helped him stand and placed his arm over my shoulders as we hopped toward the bathroom. I stopped by the door and paused. “Are you sure you’ll be all right?” I switched on the light and looked from Bodhi to the bathroom and back.

He just smiled. “Yes.” He hopped into the bathroom and closed the door.

I rushed back to the living room to clean up the broken glass so I could return to help Bodhi as soon as he was done.