*
It had been two days since he had left his hotel room the tickets to the dinner cruise were still in the inner pocket of his blues jacket
Nela was standing in front of the mirror her naked body was glistening from her shower his eyes were locked on her memorizing every inch of her sleek well-defined body.
Turning to see him staring at her she smiled and moved her hips to the left and outstretched her arm "see something you like soldier?"
Quickly she moved her hips in a side-to-side movement "if you take a picture you wouldn't have to stare so hard." A teasing smile on her face
"You know you right!"
Quickly he grabbed his phone and took a picture of her before she could move to cover herself.
"Oh, hell no delete that right now! I am not kidding give me that phone."
She moved quick jumping on the bed and trying to wrestle the phone from his hands
Laughing as he played keep away with the phone, he begged her to let him keep it.
"I can stare at this next time I am in the dessert so I can remember what I have to come home too."
"You can use your memory not a photo so you can show your entire unit." Anger and a little amusement in her voice
Knowing he about had her right where he wanted her, he added
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"If I was to show this to my unit your stunning body would render them useless, they wouldn't get anything done and probably get themselves killed thinking about how sexy you were."
"That is just an awful thing to say" a small smile spread across her face "But probably true I mean how can anyone not want this?" she lay on the bed legs and arms spread wide.
They both laughed
An hour later they were walking down the street it was good getting outside in the air as fun as being in the room was it was something they both needed. They walked to the Washington Monument then to the Lincoln laughing and joking the whole time.
Then they walked to a small restaurant had dinner more laughter
He was falling in love, and he knew it he could not help it being with her was as easy if not easier then breathing he knew their time together would soon be over she would have to go back to George Town for her senior year and he was due back at Fort Carson in two weeks not sure how they were going to make it work
"You got quiet suddenly! Something wrong soldier?"
"No!" he lied
"You're lying I can tell"
"Oh, my lady how?"
"You looked me in the eyes usually you talk to my titties" no smile no laugh she stared intently at Charles
A laugh burst from his mouth "You are so right"
This sent Nela into a gale of laughter several of the restaurants' patrons turned and looked their way which caused them to laugh even harder only attempting to control it when the restaurant manager asked them if they could tone it down.
40
After paying the couple left the restaurant still laughing holding hands they walked until they found a small park along the river avoiding the area with the benches, they found a clear area under a large cherry tree and laid in the grass
They laid in the grass for hours talking and staring into sky at the stars Nela rolled t6o her side and kissed him soft and deep
"Tell me what you were thinking about at the restaurant."
"Not yet my lady but soon for now let's just keep what we have the way it is."
"As you wish" a touch of concern in her voice but she was happy happier than she had been in years, and she would take that for as long as she could get it hoping when the time came for his talk it would not be the end, she silently thought do not let this just be a summer fling
For the next several days it was the same sightseeing by day at the Smithsonian, Arlington, All the monuments on the day they were to take a tour of the White House while standing in line Nela's cell phone rang she answered and quickly excused herself from the line to talk
Charles watched as she walked in circles sometimes, he could tell her voice pattern changed almost as if in excitement which was verified when she started jumping up and down before hanging up and returning to Charles in line.
"Good news?"
"What? Oh yeah I'll explain after dinner" a reference to their nightly visit to the park and what they now referred to as their Cherry tree.
After dinner they walked to the park and laid under their tree in silence just holding each other and staring at the sky clouds had moved in and looked like they were threatening rain.
Turning his head, he looks at Nela "So the good news you got on the phone?"
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Closing her eyes, she hoped what she was about to tell him did not anger him she hopped that for him this was not a fling and for her it would not prove to be the biggest mistake of her life.
Before she could start speaking the rain began to fall not hard, but more than a shower people were running holding anything they could over their heads trying to keep dry this caused Nela to laugh as a soccer player rain without lightning meant you play so this did not faze her and honestly the tree provided some cover.
Soon the park was empty and Nela explained her laughter to Charles who in turn had to laugh the military did not take rain days either and being stationed in Colorado there was a lot of them.
Laying under the tree in the rain Nela mustered her courage and looked at Charles.
"So last week I informed George Town of my intent to transfer. I was excepted at the school I wanted to transfer to, but the call today was to tell me I was approved to play soccer without having to sit out a year because I had transferred."
"That's great baby" sadness silently filled him now, what was he going to do? If she moved farther away, how could he keep her? His anxiety over the situation was growing.
"So where are you attending now"
"Promise to not get mad?"
"Why would I?"
"Just promise me please!" her tone almost seemed to be begging
"Of course,"
"The University of Colorado Its only about a two-hour drive from your base and we can spend the weekends together." Closing her eyes, she waited for his reply
42
The words hit Charles like a tank his concerns his anxiety all his what ifs were just answered this woman he was madly in love with and could not bear to be away from had just put every concern to bed including now he did not have to do what he had intended on talking to her about.
There was what felt like an eternity where Charles did not speak and Nela got scared had she pissed him off had she scared him away she needed to know "Say something please you're scaring me"
Charles spoke not a word he just scooped her into his arms pulled her farther under the tree and they made love right there under their tree in the rain.
The ringing of the phone pulled Charles from his memory looking at the caller Id it was the cleaning company at last he answered the call listened agreed to the day and time and hung up
That's when the sounds reached him or the lack there of with all the house windows open he could hear everything out side and suddenly there was nothing the birds had stop singing quietly he got up and moved to the table by the door and grabbed his gun still moving silent he returned to his desk preparing to look out the window when the tick…tick…tick reached his ears something was on the patio by the hot tub which was below the office window.
Soon the quiet of the house was shattered by the sound of breaking glass and a lot of it Moving quick his side arm at the ready he rushed to the family room the large picture windows that framed the patios French doors were gone glass littered the floor of the family room soon he heard scraping on wood and hurried out the door turning to the fence
No one there the fence however looked like it had been clawed and chewed on tired of the bullshit someone was putting him through he pulled out his cell phone and called the police then headed out front to the driveway where it was open, and he had 360-degree field of view to
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await their arrival and to stop Susan from arriving at an unknown situation
The police response was quick and large five units arrived and were quickly out of their vehicles moving in every direction two officers went inside one to the back yard the other two went to the outside of the fence.
Susan arrived shortly after the police and at the site of all the vehicles her heart dropped was Charles ok her answer came quick as she turned into the drive and saw him speaking with an officer.
Running up she ask "Are you alright? What happened?"
"I am fine there has been some weird things about, so I called to have it checked this officer was just out back and was about to tell me what he found."
Before the officer could speak his radio static at first "Units 35charlie 37Charlie report to the property outside the fence 39 Charlie stay with the homeowner"
Into his radios mike on his shoulder "39 Charlie Rodger 40 alpha advise when situation changes"
"Rodger 39 Charlie 40 Alpha to base please contact animal control advise of a possible need at our current location."
"40 alpha that's a Rodger animal control will be standing by advise when situation changes"
"Rodger base 40 alpha out"
Soon the two officers that were in the house ran out the front door "Tape it off no one I repeat no one goes in the house!"
"Okay what the hell is going on?" Charles demanded
"Unknown at this time Mr. Hargam all I know is what I saw in your yard."
"And what the hell was that?" he again demanded
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"Sir please when the scene commander returns, he will talk to you now please let's move to the front of the garage so I can tape of the property."
Charles and Susan move to the front of the garage Charles pushes a button on his phone and the garage doors open he retrieves a couple lawn chairs from the garage and offers Susan a water from the fridge inside the door she refuses when he comes back, he has beer, and a bottle Susan nods, and Charles grabs a couple glasses pours her a drink and hands her the beer also she gladly takes both then sits down.
The wait is excruciating and dragged on for an hour they drank their beers watching the police officer cordon off the house then stand near the gate
Several more minutes passed and finally the four officers returned all five had a brief conversation and the scene commander approached Charles and Susan they could hear the conversation over the radios
"37 Charlie to base advise animal control 10-91d"
"Rodger 37 Charlie dispatching animal control to your location for a 10-91d"
"I am done being patient what the fuck is going on?"
"Mr. Hargam have you been having problems with wild animals?"
Susan's heart dropped when she heard the officer's question, she knew without further information what had happened or at least what had caused what had happened
"NO! well honestly I don't know I've been at the hospital for three months today is actually my first time here."
She could keep the information to herself no longer "Actually yes he has." Susan's voice was weak and quiet as she recounted what had happened when she had last been here
"Damnit why didn't you tell me"
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"Because it sounds insane would you have believed me in the emotional state you were in? No, you would have dismissed it. God damn I was scared That is why today I left. Something about that wolf and all the howling it was damn scary."
"Folks if I may. Inside your home in the broken glass had large amounts of blood. Your back yard was a mess holes dug in the ground several areas of compacted grass like the ones you reported in the front of the house."
At this time animal control arrived and the officer excused himself to address them Charles got up and poured him and Susan another drink this time a double and ignored the beer
When the Officer returned, he continued
"When we went to the outer perimeter, we discovered the entire fence line had compressed area the wood was clawed and chewed. We found several carcasses and two dead timber wolves they appear to have bled out both animals were covered in broken glass."
"Now hold on you expect me to believe that two wolves jumped through my windows then ran off?" Complete disbelief filled his voice obviously someone who had read his books was fucking with him and he told this officer that
"I wish there had been a single speck of evidence to support that, however, there is not as you know this area is a protected reintroduction area for the timber wolves it is not out of the question."
"Right…ok jokes over you were in the house you have read or heard of my books you could say I am infatuated with the animals so now you want me to believe that these animals have the level of intelligence to be what my celebrity stalkers?"
"I am not joking far from it if you still don't believe follow me."
The officer walked Charles over to where the two officers were placing black bags in their trucks
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"Give us a minute, would you?"
As the officers stepped back the lead stepped forward and unzipped one of the bags inside was a good size black and white wolf the once beautiful animal severally cut in the face and head area its fur matted with blood the blood holding the glass shards in its fur it was hard to not agree with the polices conclusion seeing this it just was not however possible.
"I've seen enough." Charles was glad he could walk away his stomach rolled he turned and vomited "I have seen battlefield dismemberment and death while eating my lunch and a Mangled dog makes me vomit."
"The officer shrugs" what could he really say
Susan walks over and offers Charles a water and a towel she found in the garage
"Would you be willing to help me clear the home? all you have to do is be here whenever someone comes for whatever it is they do. You do not even have to leave your car.
"Willing yes happily no. No offense but this house gives me bad mojo."
"I understand trust me."
He turns away and pulls out his cell phone calling his Agent
"Jason Find me a realtor for my house…Yes the one I live in fully furnished everything stays except vehicles all 50 acres and have your secretary set me up with a suite near the hospital…. Hold on a second Jason there is more I need to call you back. Charles ran to the garage and grabbed the Hilton head box placed it on the ground and turned to the officer at the door
"I need inside, NOW!"
"Sir forensics hasn't completed processing the house"
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"Then get me some booties, gloves and a tech to walk me through I need in there."
"Wait while I clear it" The officer walked away
Susan approached him and looked concerned he shrugged her off and said he would explain everything when he could
The officer reappeared with a forensic tech who gave him gloves and clothe booties
Charles told the tech he needs to go to the kitchen living room and his office luckily all three rooms had already been cleared and he was able to grab the magnet from the kitchen and headed to the bedroom it had not registered earlier when he saw the bed was a mess, but Nela's night shirt was on the bed "Yes" he grabbed the shirt and headed to the den.
He moved around to his desk on the computer screen was a picture of the Blue Ridge mountains in South Carolina the same place Nela's night shirt on the bed was from Thanking the officer he exited the house and found Susan he gave her the shirt magnet and box and asked her to place them in her car then called his agent again got the name of the hotel put him on hold and gave the address to Susan and asked her to meet him there in two hours.
She looked scared and confused but agreed
Charles turned his attention back to his phone and asked his agent to find him real estate in the blue ridge region of South Carolina and the best Gastroenterologist in that region then excused himself to make additional calls.
One glance to his right and up the mountain side Charles would have got a glimpse of his stalker the large grey timber wolf Susan had told them about stood on ridge not two hundred yards from where he stood with a snarl it turned and ran as Charles got in his car
47
As he got in his car the nurses picked up, He answered their challenge questions and listened as they told him she woke briefly drank some water and munched on ice chips then went back to sleep. He informed them he would not be back till much later and asked them to let her know he was deeply sorry and would explain all when he saw her.
Next, he opened Nela's phone and scrolled through her contacts until he found her uncle Neho and punched call then drove his car from the garage.
His call was answered on the third ring "Nela?"
"No Neho its Charles!"
"Charles is everything alright?
"Well actually no! however, I will get to that in a minute when I started writing you helped me understand a lot of native American cultures and beliefs not just those of the Chicora Kingdom but others as well"
"Yes, we talked of the Skinwalkers and of the Great wolf."
"Yes, let us talk of the wolf again."
"Ah Charles the wolf is a great loyal and majestic animal many cultures have a belief that the Wolf holds a medicinal purpose in one way or another."
"Have you ever heard of a wolf for lack of a better word stalk a person or their property?"
"The presence of a wolf can mean many things some cultures believe it could be an omen of sorts."
"How about all of them the wolves I mean dozens from all over the area?"
"Wolves are Pack animals rarely would you get two or more packs together without the Alphas fighting."
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"What about one wolf that is a sizeable amount larger than the others that would lead and dominate all others? Is that possible?"
"Charles, you sound as if you are driving is this so?"
"Yes"
"I need to speak with some of the elders when you get where you're going call me back give me thirty Minutes."
They hung up and Charles drove on to the hotel his agent had set up he checked in went to the room ordered his dinner with a bottle of Johnny walker and several beers.
While he waited, he picked up his phone and called Neho again
"Charles start at the beginning I need to know everything."
For several minutes he recounted the story to Neho Nela's illness what had happened to Susan and what had happened today Neho listened without interruption
When he finished, he was short of breath and waited for Neho to speak
A long pause the quiet filling his ears
"Ah…. Charles I am so sorry for many reasons let us start first with Nela I am afraid the doctors will be able to do nothing for her neither Chicora medicine nor white medicine will be able to save her life."
This was a crushing statement if anyone other than Neho (who himself was a doctor) had told him he had to just accept the fact that his wife was going to die he would have hung up and never spoken to them again
"It's called among other names as the rot now one knows where it comes from or how treat it, it's an ancient illness last case I know of was a hundred years ago when distant travelers first came to America there was several cases among the travelers soon the natives to this land also started getting sick with it."
49
A long pause and several deep breathes later
"You have to be prepared to hear this next part it isn't as you say pretty."
"What happens is this; the stomach or intestines to be more exact start to rot causing severe pain vomiting and death. Now with modern medicine she will undergo probably several surgeries each time the rot gets bad however, eventually they will not be able to remove anymore, and she will either starve to death from loss of appetite or die from the infection." A deep breathe "I am sorry Charles it is inevitable."
Silent tears ran down his face he did not bother wiping them away he knew too well they would just come right Back so he pressed on
"And the other thing Neho?"
"Ah Yes the great wolf it is said that there is a great spirit that walks this earth it is a protector I believe there have even been several movies made about it Ha..Ha..Ha none of them could come close to the truth though it is said this Great wolf can command all other wolves causing several packs to be able to work together from everyone I've talked to it sounds like you've been marked."
"Wow what marked by a giant spectral Wolf what the hell did I do?"
"Calm Charles not marked like that you are now destined for great things the wolf wants you gone from your home if you stay you will continue to have days like today until you move away from that house."
"Is this real or are you just pulling my leg?"
"Charles It is very real Nela's illness is tied right in with the spirit of the wolf you must try to figure out your roll the spirit will only point you in a direction usually it is just getting you moving on the journey the destination is in your hands how you reach it depends on you."
A knock at the door.
"You have a visitor."
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"Probably room service."
"Go Charles start your journey look for the direction, the spirit of the wolf will point your way." And he hung up.
Getting up to get the door a breeze picks up blowing the curtain in the room he walks to the balcony and looks down
Five stories down and standing in the middle of the street was the largest wolf He had ever seen and it was looking right at him with a snarl it threw back its head and howled Charles heard glass shatter on floors below him and even this high up he had to cover his ears to the sound when the howling stopped he looked down the wolf turned and ran to the east when it reached the wall of a building it just disappeared.
"The spirit will point your way I hope you are right? or do I pray your wrong? Neho."
He opened the door for room service tipped him and shut the door pouring himself an exceptionally large drink.
With his drink finished Charles looks at his food he was once hungry now he chose to leave the food and opted for a beer instead sitting down he waits for Susan to arrive.
Susan arrived minutes later knocking on the door Charles was quick to let her in as she entered the room with the items Charles had asked her to bring. She placed the items on a chair and turned to Charles
"What the hell happened downstairs there is police everywhere?"
"I'll get to that in a few minutes first have a drink you are probably going to need it"
Pouring her drink, he asks "What do you think of the polices' conclusion of what happened?"
"Honestly after what I saw firsthand, I can believe it."
"Well hang on because I have a lot to tell you!"
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He hands her drink and picks up the double he has poured for himself and sits in the chair opposite her and begins telling her everything
He starts with what he found and saw walking the house explaining the box, the magnet, and the shirt he also tells her of the image on the computer screen adding that when he had to leave the office when Nela lost her balance he was researching vacation destinations and he was on a Bahamas website and that he had never gone back to the office before she fell seriously ill He skipped the part where they made love.
He paused letting the information sink in.
"Can I have another drink?"
He gets to his feet and pours her a second drink this time he hands her, her glass and the bottle certain she will be needing it.
Sitting back down he biggins again this time telling Susan everything Neho told him about the wolf and his belief that the wolf she saw was a spirit wolf the Great Wolf. He continued explaining everything how Neho said he was marked, Nela's illness being linked to the wolf, and how he believed the wolf wanted them out of the house.
"So, you see those items I asked you to bring, and the computer screen image all point to South Carolina when that wolf you saw was outside the hotel it ran off to the east So naturally, I am moving to South Carolina my agent is finding Nela the best doctor in the region and property."
Susan sat silent for a long period of time before getting up and grabbing a beer and returning to her seat
"Do you think that is wise? I mean that thing could be trying to lure you out so it can attack or kill you."
"At this time, I am not sure what I believe or think there is more to this I haven't told you yet."
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Sitting in his chair he looks down at his feet not sure how to tell Susan the final part of the story he feared that if he told her, it would cement the fact that his wife was going to die, if he told her he would have to admit to himself that he believed Neho was correct in fact he would have to accept the notion as fact.
Taking a deep breathe he looks up "Nela Is going to die! And there is not a god damn thing I can do about it."
He then dives into the story Neho told him about the history of the illness.
When he finishes tears are steadily falling down his cheeks, he looks at Susan and she too is crying
They sit like this in silence neither one trusting themselves to speak the gravity of the situation is heavy like an unseen weight pressing down on the entire room
"My God Charles I am…. No saying sorry isn't enough."
"I am scared since the day I met her I knew I would marry her that she was the one I would spend the rest of my life with.
"I have spent the last seven years of my life never imagining a time when I wouldn't have her, and I am damn sure going to make the best of whatever time I have left with her."
He gets up from his seat and walks to the balcony the police activity below is gone and the night is quiet he looks up at the stars and spots the big dipper which brings a smile to his face, it was for reasons he still does not know Nela's favorite constellation
Susan gets up also and walks over to where he stands placing her hand on his shoulder, she can feel the hitches as he cries silently, she does not say a word she does not trust herself to speak they just stand there in silence
*
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The next morning Charles awakes early Showers and makes coffee he is not sure when Susan left or when he went to bed They did not talk much after he explained everything, they mostly sat on the balcony looking at the stars.
Two cups of coffee later Charles calls the hospital answers the questions and speaks with a nurse who tells him she had a restful night and awoke this morning and asked to see him, she was again able to drink some water, and eat ice chips the doctors have lifted the protective wear and time limits as long as he aware of her limitations.
Thanking the nurses, he asked them to tell her he was on his way hanging up he grabbed his shirt off the bed and hurried to the door.
Once back at the hospital he stopped at the gift shop purchased some lilies then went straight to Nela's room she was awake sitting up a little and her face lit up when he walked in the room with the flowers.
"Those better not be from my garden!" her voice was weak, but he could hear a tint of teasing
Smiling "No my lady I would never I bought these" and placed the vase on the table next to her bed.
Pulling the chair closer to the bed he grabs her hand leans over and kisses her lips for the first time in months he was gentle at first, however, Nela had other ideas she moves her hand to his head and pulls him tightly to her lips and kisses him deep.
With a smile "ah… that's better soldier boy doesn't go getting soft on me."
"No Ma'am wouldn't dream of it." A tear slipped from his eye, and she brushed it away
"Non, of that now I'll be fine."
Unable to trust himself to speak he lays his head in her hand until he can recompose himself then looks up at her
"How are you feeling?"
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"Sore the Doctors told me what they did and that I would basically be drinking my food for a while."
"Also, sometime today they want Therapy to start getting me out of bed and start trying to walk." A pause….
It was obvious to Charles that all the talking was taking a toll on her "Shhh…. relax, take your time"
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and fell asleep.
Charles held her hand and watched his wife sleep she did not sleep long maybe an hour when she opened her eyes, she looked horrified.
"Oh, baby I am so sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep." Her voice still weak, however, Charles thought or hopped the words seemed to come with less effort.
"It is fine my love you need your rest." Kissing her hand softly
"Tell, me what happened! And don't sugar coat it!"
Charles spent the next several minutes recounting the events of that day he told her everything the coughing, the blood, Susan, the police, the doctors, everything he left nothing out.
When he finished, he sat watching his wife looking at her to see how she reacted.
Slowly she lifted her hand on placed it on his shoulder. "My poor baby I hope it didn't hurt too bad, is it feeling better now?"
In true Nela fashion she seemed more worried about the fact he had dislocated his shoulder then the fact she had almost died from coughing up a portion of her stomach.
His smile was huge, and he let a little laugh escape him "After all that your worried about my shoulder? Dos thy Lady not, comprehend what has happened here?"
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"Ah dear sir I do but if thy gallant knight is injured who will carry thee to bed when we get home?" A smile touched her face and lit it up.
They laughed together it was like the last three months had just melted away like snow on the first warm day of spring.
They spent the next several hours talking occasionally Nela would drift off to sleep usually for an hour or so. Charles never left the room except to get a coffee or grab a snack from the vending machine.
During one of her naps and his sub sequent trips to the vending machines Susan arrived carrying a bouquet of roses and Lilies and silently followed him to her room Charles was sure the gravity of their conversation the previous evening was still weighing on her, so he did not press.
As they entered the room, he saw that the therapist was in the room she was messaging Nela's legs and doing range of motion exercises with her,
The smile on her face at the sight of Charles told him all he needed to know she was finding humor in this probably thinking of all the times she sat and watched physical therapist work on his legs. This caused him to return her smile though his was more of an evil smile.
"Ah…. If you think I am going to strip to help motivate you, you are mistaken."
This caused them both to break out in laughter.
"Sir please! If you continue to distract her, I will have to ask that you leave. This is important and I need her focused." The therapist did not seem as amused as he and Nela were.
"I am sorry Ma'am" he sat down quietly.
They watched as the physical therapist went about her routine she massaged and moved her legs often holding them in bent positions asking if she felt pain. When she finished with that, she placed a gait belt
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around her waist and instructed Nela to help swing her legs over the side of the bed then helped her to a standing position.
"Do not try to walk just let your legs relearn the weight of your body. Good very good Mrs. Hargam I think you will be ready to try walking soon just not today."
The therapist helped her back into bed and stepped back
"Are you tired? How do your legs feel?"
"I am good thank you" Charles could hear in her voice she was lying but said nothing
Looking at her the therapist Charles could tell had picked up on her tone as well. With a frown she told Nela she would be back tomorrow and left the room.
Looking at Charles Nela smiled bright "You are a naughty boy." Again, they both laughed then Nela noticed Susan standing by the door.
Charles nodded his head as if to say yes that is her.
Nela using the buttons on her bed moved the head of the bed up to a sitting position and looked intensely at Susan.
"So, I hear it is you I need to thank for saving my life. Also, for taking care of my husband."
Susan looked uncomfortable she moved her gaze to the floor she did not know what to say. She had never let herself prepare for this moment she did not want to be a hero she just did what needed to be done.
"Please come here Susan" Nela's voice was the strongest Charles had heard
Crossing the room slowly she walked to her bedside
"Sit please" Nela took her hand as she sat on the edge of the bed "My dear you saved my life and for that I am thankful, however, what you did for my husband I will forever be in your debt for."
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"I didn't I swear I just looked out for him." Fear in her voice
Putting up her hand in a shushing gesture "I am aware I was not accusing I know my husband better than he knows himself and you just being there for him even when I am sure he fought you was what he needed thank you." She pulled Susan to her and hugged her Charles could tell she wanted to squeeze her tight, but she could not she was tired.
"Now that's enough! Nela, I think you need to get some rest now"
Letting go she laid back on her bed and closed her eyes "Yes you are right now go get something to eat that isn't from a bag." She grabbed his hand "be here early tomorrow there is something we need to talk about."
"There is nothing that we need to rush my love."
Without moving her head, she moves her eyes to look at him "We have something to discuss I do not want to wait so go get something to eat and get some rest."
A touch a fear comes over Charles he does not know what she could possibly feel is so important that she does not want to wait.
A few minutes later they left the room.
"You ok Susan."
"NO! How the hell can I be she is so grateful for everything I did and all I can think about is what I didn't do I didn't say shit I sat there looking at a woman I know is going to die and couldn't say shit."