"It's more complicated than we thought.." Zak says down the phone, disappointment in his voice. I knew he loved his job, it was his purpose in life, but at the moment, he was desperate to come home. All because of me.
"Well that's okay. Its important that you stay, help the family." I tell him, meaning it.
He sighs "I know, but I should be looking after you too. You're the most important thing to me, Gracie too."
I smile, looking down to the end of the couch where Gracie had taken up residence. She loved a good snooze in the afternoon sun, we both did. "We are fine. You can see that."
"I can see you running to the bathroom and sleeping a shit ton. I would hardly call that fine..."
Shooting a glare up the camera I ask "Are you constantly watching me?"
"Every opportunity that I get. Yes." He is truthful and I don't know whether to berate him or love him even more. He's a difficult one to manage at the moment.
"Few more days." I tell him. It's what I've been telling myself, knowing soon I'll pass the band of resistance and my body will adjust to this medication, admittedly it's taking a lot longer than I thought, but I read online that it can take up to two weeks.. I hoped that wouldn't be my case too.
"We still clinging to that idea, huh?"
I nod "Yep."
"Well if you are still like it when I come home, we are going back to the doctor. No questions asked."
I want to argue my case, but it's pointless and quiet frankly, I don't have an ounce of energy to do it. "Okay.."
"Now you're compliant, so I know it's bad, you fight me on everything.."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No, we both enjoy angry sex."
I laugh softly, not admitting it, however the thought of anything physical right now makes my stomach hurt and I curl up a little tighter. "You love a little tension, the primal need to correct me is very strong in you. You're very dominant."
His laugh is low and utterly filthy and despite feeling like trash, I still get that funny feeling in the lower part of my belly.
"You wouldn't have me any other way.."
"I wouldn't.."
Zak is the perfect blend of dominant and submissive when it comes to the bedroom. He naturally takes the dominant role, but every so often, I can make him hand over the reins. It's not as much as I would like, but it's there, it's do-able.
"Maybe it's a good thing I'm away?"
"I have been telling you that. You don't want to deal with this mess all the time."
"I mean it based on the fact that I'd constantly be trying to make you feel better, in the only way I know how."
My skin flushed with warmth and I want to put it down to the sun, but it's a much warmer heat, one only he brings out in me. "We're not doing this over the phone."
"Why?"
"Because I'm in the lounge and your mom is going to be popping in soon."
"Then let's be quick, the risk of getting is a turn on... What you wearing?"
"The answer is still no and I'm wearing a trash bag."
"Lucky trash bag.."
I laugh then, because he genuinely sounds jealous. "I'd rather wait until you're home and wear you." I wait and use enough there's a groan of frustration.
"You're not playing fair."
"As you weren't either. Now let's stop. Before I win this game."
"Bet you don't."
"Zak I heard your belt unbuckle as you answered the phone, I can guarantee one hand is down south and you've been trying to make me laugh. How's my friend doing? Missing me yet?"
"You're evil. I should have known the moment you ran into me. It wasn't fate, it was you, casting a spell..."
"Call me a wench. I dare you." I challenge.
"No because you'll win."
I grin "That's what I thought."
"I've got a suggestion, instead of riding that broomstick, how about riding my stick?"
"I'd rather ride your face." I throw back making him groan.
"That's it, I'm no playing."
I laugh again. "God, I miss teasing you."
We talk a little more before Zak has to go, with the promise of ringing me later, so long as I have a little fun over the phone with him. He's insatiable.
An hour later, I'm walking out the door to his home, feeling every bone in my body protest as I try to walk Gracie. The little angel must sense that I'm not up to par and walks beside me, slowly, whilst looking up at me to check if I was okay, before sniffing some more.
Getting to the outskirts of the community, I let her off her leash letting her explore the desert grounds of Red Rock, whilst also keeping an eye on her and where she goes. This morning I had woke with a headache which had yet to leave, with the sun beating down, I was thankful I had picked up my sunshades. Light seemed to hurt my eyes and my head. Maybe it was a migraine?
We walk a little further, until I hear the yelp.
I instantly go on tender hooks and find Gracie limping back to me.
"Oh no. No no no." I worry, crouching down to look at her foot. A needle from a cactus was standing proud from her paw, whilst she looked up at me with her deep brown eyes. "Oh baby girl."
Looking around, I try to work out how far we are from home, before stepping around her and picking her up. It's an effort, but pulling out a needle and not having anything to clean her paw after is not an option.
"Okay pup, let's go."
***
Can carrying a dog kill you?
It's probably a yes, especially if it's the size of an elephant, but Gracie isn't and I'm still struggling.
My body is giving up on me, my mind is screaming to put her down and stop, but one look and a lick on the end of my nose tells me to keep going. Sweat is falling off my forehead and stinging my eyes, but I know we are not far.
So when I spot the house, I let out a sigh of relief and push myself a little more.
I'm trying to open the damn door, when it moves and Nancy is on the other side, eyes wide. "What happened?!"
"Cactus needle." I tell her, heading straight for the kitchen, with Nancy following behind.
"And you?" She asks, when I put Gracie down on the work surface, hygiene can take a fucking jump, Gracie is hurt. She is more important!
"Me? I'm fine." I tell her, grabbing the first aid box in the cupboard above Gracie.
"Let me." Nancy says, as my hands flail about trying to get all the things I need out and set up. I step back letting her shift into my spot and go to Gracie's face.
"Granny is gonna do it. You just gotta be real good." I tell her, patting her fur and fishing out a dog treat from the jar. Placing a handful down to distract her, I watch as Nancy carefully removes the needle from Gracies paw. She barely flinches but the spurt of blood makes me gasp, Nancy is quick to put a gauze there.
"You should sit down. How far did you carry her?"
"I'm fine. All the way from Red Rock.."
"The other side of the community?!"
"It really wasn't that far." I lie, still feeling the ache in my arms and lower back.
Nancy gives me the mothering look "You're so suited to Zak with that level of BS coming outta your mouth. Get some water. Now."
I'm about to speak when I notice spots coming into my vision. "Oh shit.." I whisper.
"What? Elle?"
"Sp-." My hand lifts to point at what I can see.
Until I can't see..