Read Online Never Let You Go by Desmond Haas - Free Book Online Page A

set the brakes on the wheelchair, moved his legs off the stirrups, and swiveled them out of the way.
    “Are you ready?” He nodded and I put my arms around his chest, under his arms, then using my legs, I lifted him onto the bed.
    “Would you like me to sleep with you tonight?” I asked.
    “No,” he said. “I’d like to be alone tonight.”
    That hurt me, but I wasn't going to show any emotion he could latch on to. “Okay, if you need something, the bell is on your nightstand. Sleep well,” I said as calmly as I could.
    I turned out the main light, closed his door, and went out to the living room to meet up with Judith and Linda. “How did it go?” Linda asked.
    I sighed. “I offered to sleep with him, but he said he wanted to be alone. Judith, I apologize for assuming I could sleep with him under your roof, but it just seemed like I needed to offer it to him.”
    “Don’t worry about it. Of course, you can sleep with him if it’s okay with the both of you. My God, you’re both adults and madly in love—even if he doesn’t know it.”
    That one night repeated again and again until I no longer asked him. Each day, I was a robot, tending to him, taking care of his physical needs and doing my best to remain aloof from his rotten demeanor.
    There was, however, some happiness in the house as Linda and Trent started dating. Each time Linda came back, Judith and I peppered her with questions to get all the juicy bits. She said Trent had been a perfect gentleman every time they went out.
    After three weeks, we were eating breakfast before getting Sam up and ready for the day. “How was your date with Trent?” Judith asked.
    “We walked around Lake Eola, then sat on one of the benches and talked late into the night.”
    “What do you think of him?” Judith asked.
    “I do fancy him. I find him comfortable to be with. I’m used to chaps that good looking to be full of themselves. All mouth and no drawers, if you know what I mean. I did tell him I had broken up with my boyfriend before I came here, and I believe he’s being extra careful not to get in the way of my healing. I find it so sweet.”
    “Do you have plans to see him this week?” I asked, sipping Judith’s strong, black coffee.
    “Yes, he asked me out for Friday night,” she offered between bites of toast and jam. “He’s off on Saturday, and we can spend more time together then too.”
    “Are you getting serious with him?” Judith wanted to know.
    “I really don’t know enough about him yet to know that. While I do fancy him and enjoy his company, I’ll eventually have to go back to England. I don’t want to lead him on, thinking we can be an item, but at the same time, yes, I do like him.”
    Changing the subject, Linda asked, “Is Sam any better with you? I don’t like his attitude with us, but I can’t stand it when he treats you the way he does.”
    “No real change.” I folded my napkin and placed it next to the half-eaten meal. “I’m trying to ignore it and not let him know it bothers me.”
    “It does bother you, doesn’t it?” Judith asked.
    “It does. There are times when I’m lying on the couch at night that I’ve cried myself to sleep. But by morning, I’m able to pull myself together again.”
    “How have you put up with it for so long?” Linda asked.
    “One day at a time. One foot in front of the other.”
    “Speaking of feet, have you put yours down and asked him why he treats you the way he does?” Linda asked.
    “I did a few times, but then he withdraws and doesn’t talk at all.”
    “Do you mind if I go wake Sam?” Linda asked. “I want to have a one-on-one with him. We’ve not been able to talk since I got here.”
    “Sure,” I said. “Be my guest. Maybe you can get a rise out of him. Whatever I’m doing isn’t working.”
    I looked at Judith and held my breath. We both leaned toward the door, eager to hear.
     
    “Why didn’t you ring the bell? We would have come in if we’d known