The Country Duet(34)

“Would he sell any of it?”

“No.” I shake my head. “You should hear him tell people to get the fuck out when they stop by.”

She turns to me with worry in her eyes. “What if he tells me that?”

“He won’t.” I cup her face. “For some reason, Dave respects me and lets me in his life. He’ll be nice in his own way, even if he’s crude as hell.”

“Let’s rip the Band-Aid off then.”

I reach into the backseat, grabbing the brand new, shiny pot. The other day in my welding class, the professor gave us a free day to spend on any project we wanted. The piece of paper in my back pocket with all the dimensions on it came in handy. I made it from scratch, double and triple checking the measurements. I even shined it up to make it perfect. A lot of pride went into that pot. Ironic, as it’s going to be used to shit in.

Teale’s grip is tight as hell around my hand. The thought of warning her about the stench that fills Dave’s house comes a few seconds too late as I throw open the door. She masks the horror of smelling it well, only flinching for a beat.

“Dave?” I holler out.

Shit. I didn’t think this through very well. There’s always a surprise when it comes to Dave.

“Babe.” I turn to Teale and whisper, “Why don’t you wait in the truck while I see if everything is in decent shape?”

“I’m in nursing school. I can do this and won’t think any different of the situation.”

We walk further into the house with no sight of Dave. Scenes of the day the paramedics were racing his lifeless body out of the house rush back in.

“Dave,” I shout louder, letting go of Teale’s hand and rushing back to his bedroom. “Jesus.”

Dave rolls his head, staring at me from the bed. He’s covered in his own shit, and he’s pale.

“You okay?” I ask.

“Having a rough day is all.”

On instinct, I go to him, stripping the bed, and lifting him up. My flesh prickles when Dave cries out in pain as I lift him from the bed.

“Need your medicine?”

“Haven’t been able to get up all day and forgot it out by my recliner.”

“You also forget how to use your phone?” I bite out harshly.

“Knew you had class and a shift at the garage today, didn’t want to burden you.”

“Has never stopped you before. This is bullshit.”

Something inside of me snaps with anger, seeing him in this state.

After getting Dave in the shower, I take his clothes out to the hallway to put in the washer, only to find it already going. Teale runs into me as she walks out of Dave’s room with the bedding carefully wrapped up. I remain frozen, watching her toss the soiled material into the top loading machine. She grabs the clothes from me without asking.

Her fingers then dance up my abdomen as she pulls my shirt off. She tosses it in the washer, pours more soap in it, and then snaps the lid closed.

“What?” she asks, shrugging.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“His mattress protector worked well. Going to put that in the next load.” Teale pulls me to her chest, wrapping her arms around me. “You okay?”

I shake my head. “No. It’s just so hard to see him like this. It’s always a step forward then two massive leaps back. What would’ve happened if I didn’t come out here tonight? He’d be…”

“No, don’t do that.” She kisses my jawline. “You are here for him. You can’t do anything else and don’t let those nasty thoughts haunt you.”

The water in the bathroom cuts off then I hear stumbling.

“Go.” Teale pushes on my chest.

I grab a clean pair of black sweatpants then rush into the bathroom. Dave’s color is slowly coming back to him. With one simple glance, I can tell the pain meds are beginning to work because he doesn’t howl with pain when I pick him and help him dry off.

“When’s the last time you ate?” I ask, putting on his clothes.

“Don’t remember. Think last night I had a shake before bed.”

“Have you checked your blood sugar, Dave?”

He drops his head. “Couldn’t get out of bed this morning and everything was out in the living room.”

“You should probably go to the hospital to get checked out.”

“Not happening. I’m just fine.”

He’s not fine, but I know it’s a lost cause to argue with him. It will only lead to him being pissed off and me frustrated beyond belief.

“I’ll get you to your chair then warm up some dinner.” I carry him to his recliner, carefully setting him down in it. The worn cushions swallow his body. “Check your blood sugar, and I’ll grab your insulin.”

“Don’t need a damn nurse,” he grumbles.

“Feeling better already?” I smirk.

He raises a shaky finger in my direction. “Used to have abs like that back in the day. Mine were better.”

“I’m sure they were.” I laugh.

I find Teale in the kitchen with her armor slowly cracking. She’s fighting to be strong, but it’s all too much. She stands frozen, staring at the eight trash cans that are slowly beginning to overflow.