Learning To Trust Again

Rebecca and Jake were silent for a while as the sun sank lower. Then as lights started to come on all around them she looked down at his injured hand she straightened as she said ‘come into the kitchen and I’ll redress that wound.’

Turning it over to look at the grey looking bandage for a minute he said ‘don’t worry about it.’

‘Come on’ Rebecca said moving back towards the door ‘you don’t want to risk getting an infection. It’ll take much longer to heal if you do.’

Shrugging he replied ‘okay’ and followed her inside.

‘Take a seat’ she said indicating a stool at the island counter as she gathered the things she had laid out ready.

Placing a disposable protective sheet she’d brought home from work for the purpose on the bench she removed the bandage she’d applied the night before. Her heart was pounding being this close to him again, not to mention touching him, but if he felt anything similar, it didn’t show. She noticed his breathing was slow and regular. However he was watching her.  She could feel his eyes following her every move. Taking a deep breath and willing herself to concentrate on the job, she bent down and peaked under the dressing. She saw that the wound itself looked good. So wrapping his hand in a clean bandage she said ‘you did well, the wound is healing nicely.’

‘It wasn’t easy’ he said ‘showering and keeping this dry was a pain in the arse.’

She smiled, ‘I know, but I’m afraid you’ll have to do it a few more times, the stitches can’t come out for a week so you’ll have to keep it dry until then.’

Watching him frown she said ‘I can redress it whenever you need it though.’

Looking at her he said with a crooked smile ‘you may regret that.’

All at once Rebecca was having trouble breathing. She looked away and said ‘I’m sure I’ll cope.’ But she wasn’t sure she would at all. Being this close to him and not being able to touch him, other than in a professional manner, was killing her. Needing some distance before she made a fool of herself she said ‘why don’t you go take a seat and I’ll bring dinner out now.’

‘Can I give you a hand?’ he asked.

‘It’s all done really’ she said as she moved away to check the oven ‘I just have to serve it’

‘I can at least carry the plates then.’

Smiling Rebecca teased ‘well you can carry one.’

‘So I’ll make two trips’ Jake said with half a smile.

 ‘This was supposed to be a thank you dinner, I didn’t invite you here to put you to work’ she said.

Smiling properly now Jake teased ‘I’m sure carrying a couple of plates won’t tax me too much.’

And with a nervous laugh Rebecca conceded ‘okay fair enough’ and turning away she removed the lasagna from the oven and served up their dinner.