The further away the better

Stubborness has saved me from more

I worked my Monday as usual, my face had a large gravel rash on one side and my knee swelled each day. Cherrie forced me to go to the local GP, who strapped my knee and told me to stay off it for a month. Cherrie drove me to my villa, I grab the novel I’d been reading on my way through and hope up onto bed, “ I hate to ask, you’ve already done to much, but I can’t contact the other businesses about my situation”. “ already taken care off”. “ thank you Cherrie”. After a few minutes she leaves me to myself, I start to read when a light tap sounded at the door. “Come in” I yell, not game to stand, Cherrie will have my head I can tell she didn’t want to go, assuming it’s her, I yell “ did you forget something”. Patrick is standing at the kitchen “ I feel terrible, I am so sorry Kaly, A month without work is a killer, you can stay here for free, no need to pay”. “ I need to check out anyway, the rodeo is this weekend, I just got caught up with working I haven’t really looked. Is there an newspaper I can have delivered?”. “ please don’t worry, I feel horrible, the place is fully booked out, I wish I knew you’d be staying in town longer”. “Sorry, I kind of don’t have a plan, well I do but it’s not really a plan”. stop blubbering you i***t “ well I do have somewhere else for you to stay, it also can be just for the week or longer if need be, just give me the word and I’ll have it all made up for you”. Patrick is standing awkwardly, it’s as if he has more to say or he is waiting for a response “ well I guess, it’s my only option” if it’s not putting anyone out that I’m off this knee for a month and I’m in there house”. “ it’s perfectly ok”. I can ask Beatrice to help you as you will be alone majority of the time”. “ No please don’t do that, I will be fine”. I’ve been walking around on it I guess it’s all a precaution, I’ll manage”. I have had worse than this believe me. “Can I pack your things for you?”. “ Now, as in, Im leaving now?”. “ no you don’t have to, I just thought you may like to be settled before everyone starts checking in!”. “Oh, um yeah ok I guess you know that all better than me, maybe you can just bring my thing to the bed and I can pack them”. “ of course”. Carefully and delicately Patrick brings my things to me and I pack them as best I could, I’ve clearly got no core muscle, my abs where shaking whilst I sat in the awkward position, not wanting to show my weakness, I hid my feelings, went to stand as I do I stood to quickly, became light headed and sat back down, Patrick ran to my side with absolute worry written over his face. “ I’m so sorry, please let me help you”. I nod “ just let me gather my bearings”. With Patrick’s Support, I slowly rise, awkwardly I walk with a very noticeably strong but gentle arm around my waist. As I’m placed into the seat and Patrick goes to buckle me in I not only feel how close his breath is to my neck but also that my arms work perfectly fine, I stop him, grab the seat belt and say thank you. After my belongings are placed in the Ute, Patrick gets into the driver seat, “ if anything is left are the cleaners able to just store it and I grab it when I can”. Patrick nods. He doesn’t look at me, I have only now realised this whole time, he hasn’t been able to look at me. God I hope I’m not putting him out. “ sorry again for all this “. Patrick shakes his head, your far from it. Expecting us to turn to the main road, we follow the trail to his house, the feeling of back when I was 14 years old comes back, I sit frozen in the seat, I feel the colour drain and my heart pounding. Oh god, what have I gotten myself into, I always seem to do this. Before I know it, we’ve pulled up to his house, he’s walked around, still frozen and trying to get out of it Patrick unbuckles my seat picks me up and walks me up the steps, he walks me to the lounge places me on an oversized couch, places a blanket over my knees and walks out. I sitting and wait for what’s next, I hear my bags brought in a door lightly close, next I hear cupboard closing, plates and cups being put on something, this time allows my senses to come alive, my smell is first, I smell wood fire, fresh linen and Patrick’s unique smell, My sight is next I see, warm under tones of decor and furniture , I look to my right and see the most magnificent view on mountains, cows large vines coating an alfresco area with beautiful sandstone pavers. The left is the dam and jetty with a bath. I smile at how calm this makes me. A sound brings me out of daydreaming. Patrick places a plate of pasta, a water and a bottle of red with two glasses down. I say my thanks but can’t seem to look at him. We eat in silence. Although he pokes me a glass of wine I don’t drink it. Unsure what to do after we eat the delicious pasta, Patrick puts the Television on, Batman Begins is playing, I politely excuse myself, Patrick turns it off, shows me to the room and places a towel and face washer onto the vanity. Tells me goodnight and closes the door.