Copperback

by Hamilton, Tarah R.

  “Did it work? Are you okay now?”

  He pulled his arm from around me and held out the hand that had been damaged by the broken glass. I unwound the bandage to find that there was nothing left but the small amount of blood that had collected, like it had never happened. The jagged edges had faded away, and not even the hint of a scar was left. As happy as I was to see him healed, he didn’t seem to share my joy.

  “And your leg?”

  “I’m – I’m not sure,” he said breathlessly. “It still hurts. Not as bad, though.”

  I hadn’t even looked to see if there was any difference. I was too stunned by the healing of his hand to look at anything else. Glancing down, there was very little change. The bruising had diminished, but there was no way to tell if there was any other improvement. I could feel him lean his head down to look, as well. I could see the disappointment on his face when I turned to him.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t – I don’t like seeing you hurt, but I’ll do it again – if you need me to?”

  “It’s okay. I don’t think I can do that again for a while. At least it wasn’t a waste of time.”

  He turned back to his leg. I had to look again to see what he was referring to. Beyond his leg, he was moving his foot around and curling his toes, like there had never been an issue. It was amazing to see that, even after everything he had suffered, he would be able to get up and walk one day. It just wasn’t going to be today.

  “Does it hurt to do that?” I asked, remembering back to all his failed attempts that nearly made him pass out.

  “A little – I think I want to try something. You have to move out of the way, though.”

  He didn’t have to tell me what he was planning on doing. He was bound and determined to stand, and I didn’t want to get in the way of that. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that laying down and standing were going to be two different things. I moved out of the way to let him slide his legs off the side of the bed. He moved quickly, considering what he had just been through. I wasn’t sure if it was the excitement of being able to get out of bed, or the burst of energy he had referred to, from the excess of carbon dioxide. I had never seen him so enthusiastic before.

  “Just take it easy. Try standing on your good leg first, before putting any weight on the other one – as a precaution.”

  He nodded, and I held out my hands just in case he lost his balance. Job pulled himself up on one leg; he didn’t need my help. His steadiness was perfect, just like everything else about him. He didn’t teeter, the way most of us would have. He looked like he could do it all day. Seeing him standing there, I hadn’t realized he was so tall. It wasn’t giant tall, but he had to have been at least six three or six four. I had guessed he was about that height when I got the jeans, I just didn’t know what it looked like in person.

  He stepped down lightly at first, shifting more weight to his bad leg, but before he could stop, I could see it was too much. He lost his balance and nearly collapsed into my arms, holding on for support. I could hear him grunting and gasping. Watching him push himself so hard was ripping my heart out. He leaned into me, nearly knocking me over in the process. Any more, and we both would have ended up in a pile on the floor. I had to use all my strength to keep him from falling over. I gave him a minute, until he was finally able to steady himself again.

  “I guess I’m stuck here for now. I wanted this to be special.”

  I could hear the disappointment in his voice, and see it in his eyes. As far as he had come, he was still looking at this as a failure. I wasn’t sure if there was anything I could do to help. The idea struck me suddenly. Without saying a word, I let go of him and ran to the back of the basement, near the laundry, in hopes of finding something that would assist him.

  Behind the boxes shoved in the back, I found them– just as ugly as the day Chase painted them in the high school colors of red and white. Dragging out the crutches, I couldn’t be sure if they would work for him, due to the height difference. I studied them closer and saw they could be extended up to three more notches. After some effort, I was able to slide them out – chipping off a copious amount of dried paint in the process – and brought them back to Job, still poised on one leg.

  “What are those?” He was looking at them as though I had brought him some crazy contraption.

  “They are crutches, and they are going to help you stay out of bed. I just need to show you how to use them.”

  Getting him to understand how to hold them was easy. Getting him to move forward took a little effort on both our parts. I had never used crutches in my life, and wasn’t sure what to do. He learned how to put them in front of him pretty quickly, but was getting confused about the proper way to keep one leg up and swing forward with the other one. The space was small, and there was only enough room to try twice before having to turn around again. However, after a few near accidents – and some pain – he had figured them out, and already looked like a pro. I was waiting for him to start walking around with them like stilts – a trick Chase had learned after a few weeks.

  “Is that better?” I asked

  “Yeah – it’ll work for now. I think you’ve been waiting for something.” He leaned down close, so he was at my height.

  Job tugged at my shirt with his fingers, getting me to come in closer. I didn’t hesitate at first. I had been waiting, and had done everything he asked. Wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders, ready to lean in, I could still feel the sweat on his shirt and the back of his neck. This time he was going to do what I asked; our lips just inches apart, I backed away, smiling a devilish grin. He looked at me, amazed I had stopped him.

  “I have a surprise for you, first, but you have to come with me.”

  He stood there, astonished, lips moving without making any sound, as though he was trying to ask questions. I shushed him with my finger and walked away to the stairs. He seemed to be hesitant about leaving the room, but followed. I seized one of the crutches from under him, knowing the dangers of using them on a staircase – another thing Chase had learned after his first week.

  “Just hold onto the rail on your way up.”

  I turned around and walked up, hoping he would follow. I was taking a risk bringing him, but I wanted him to be able to have the freedom I took for granted. I raced upstairs in front of him, checking that all the blinds had been shut in the living room and kitchen. I ran back just as he made it to the top, and handed his other crutch back to him.

  He looked curious, since he had never seen anything of my house other than the basement. His eyes searched everywhere, memorizing the kitchen. I walked with him through to the living room, where he saw the makeshift bed I had created. He looked confused.

  “It was just till I could have my pillows back. Besides, I couldn’t hear you from my room if you needed anything.”

  He smiled at my thoughtfulness and went back to searching the house, learning everything about it. I walked him down the hall. Eyes questing, he saw my room near the end. He stopped short – eyes wide – afraid to go any further.

  “I – I don’t think I’m – I’m ready for – that.” His nerves were apparent, and he backed up, trying to escape the hallway.

  “I’m not taking you there – here.” I swung the bathroom door open and turned on the light, showing him inside. He studied it, wondering why I wanted him to see it.

  “I figured you could use a shower. I’m not saying you stink, because you don’t. You’ve been in the same shorts for almost two weeks, and I bought you some new clothes while I was out. I’m not sure what will fit, but we can try. Clean towels are hanging up, and soap and shampoo is in the shower.”

  He cautiously made his way into the bathroom, looking around. He blinked hard at the brightness of the room. The white-on-white décor was a bit too much for his eyes to take. I reached in to turn on the vanity light before turning off the main light, dimming the room.

  “I hate to ask this, but – which one is the shower?” He was smilin
g, but behind the smile, he was confused. He had never seen a real bathroom before. Whatever they used where he came from must have looked different from what we had. I pointed out the items in the bathroom, describing each one, and finished with the tub. Opening the curtain, I showed him how to turn on the hot and cold water and get the shower head to spray.

  “Just make sure you take off your clothes before you get in, and don’t forget to close the curtain, or water will get on the floor. Do you think you need any help?”

  I was hoping he would say no. I didn’t want to have to deal with the awkwardness.

  “I think I’ll be ok.” He didn’t sound too sure.

  “If you need me, just yell. I’m going to run out to get you something to wear real quick. I’ll be right back.”

  I left him alone, closing the door behind him. I stood in the hall, listening close to make sure he was doing okay. I could hear the water turn on and the curtain rings clicking across the rod as he closed it. He would be fine for a little while, and it gave me a chance to get him the new clothes.

  I ran outside. The rain had turned into a downpour, soaking me before I could even reach the trunk and unlock it. I used the trunk lid as cover, scrambling to find an outfit for him, taking out whatever I saw first. Balling the clothes up, I held them close, making an effort to keep them dry as I raced back into the house.

  I was drenched by the cold rain. As refreshing as it felt to rinse off the salty sweat, though, I would still need a change of clothes. I walked by the bathroom, and heard the water still running – I had time to change. Pulling out a different button down blouse – identical to the one I was wearing, but in baby blue – and a new tank in the same hue, I stripped out of my wet clothes and into the fresh ones.

  I pulled out the balled-up clothes so I could fold them and remove the tags. Just as I finished, the water stopped. I could hear the curtain being opened. I wasn’t going to be able to sneak the outfit in before he had gotten out. Taking the clothes with me, I knocked on the door, hoping to catch his attention.

  “Are you decent? I have the clothes for you. I’m going to come in, but I’ll keep my eyes closed if you’re not.”

  There was no reply. I wasn’t sure if he heard me or was still trying to get himself together. Closing my eyes, I opened the door, the steam hitting me as I came in. I wasn’t sure where he was, or if he was still in the tub, drying off. Putting my hand out in front of me, I moved slowly forward, making sure not to run into him and knock him – or myself – over. I had only made it halfway across the room before I could feel his chest, still dripping with water.

  “I’m sorry. I have these for you.” I said, handing them out in front of me, keeping my eyes shut tight, turning my head away.

  “You can open your eyes, Emily. I’m covered up.” His voice was so light and inviting.

  I opened them slowly, hoping his idea of covered up was the same as mine. He was naked, except for the towel wrapped around his waist and tucked in at the hip. Droplets of water clung to him, running down his smooth skin. Each bead glistened off his toned body, making him look even more tempting than before. He was balanced on one foot again; the crutches leaned up against the wall.

  “I – I can leave this – here for – you. I can – wait till – you’re done.” I was so nervous being around him. I could feel my pulse speeding up again; my breathing was so quick, I thought I could hyperventilate at any time.

  “I don’t want to wait anymore.” He was smiling, beckoning me to come closer. His chocolate eyes were hypnotic, and I did as he said.

  Running my hands up his smooth chest, I looped them around the back of his neck, feeling the bristles of hair across my hands. I could feel him pulling me closer to him, pressing me against his body, wrapping his arms around my waist. I didn’t care about getting wet again. The water running off his body was warm as it seeped through my shirt, making me feel more drawn to him. He leaned in, our lips inches away from each other. He paused, letting me breathe in, making me feel more at ease. I knew a brief moment wouldn’t send him into a fever right away. Just as I was basking in the moment before the kiss, I could hear my phone blaring the chorus to “MMMBop” from the living room, stunning me for a second, ripping me away from my thoughts. Words could not describe how much I hated the pint-sized trio at that moment. I wanted to ignore it, but Job had pulled away, wondering what the sound was coming from the other room.

  “It’s my phone. Chase is calling. It can wait,” I told him, hoping to bring him back to the task at hand.

  “It might be important.” He had already lost all focus on what was going on. He was concerned with the phone call, and wouldn’t pay attention to anything else.

  “I’ll get it, but I’m telling you, this used to be a daily thing. He’s just calling to see if I will make him dinner, I bet.”

  I walked away to answer the phone, ticked at how Chase had managed to interrupt us. The song had stopped playing before I got there – I missed the call. Pressing end to clear my screen, I went to set it down, noticing that there was also a text message flashing on the phone in red. Yellow was the usual message color, but red only meant that someone had left it as urgent. I opened it up and gasped. My hands shook as Chase explained everything I needed to know in just one simple word:

  RUN!

  16.

  My whole world had fallen apart with three letters. There was no more time to enjoy laughing and joking around. There would be no new books to read. The time I dreaded had come too soon, cutting off any chance of making other arrangements.

  I was still staring at the message, as though it would somehow be followed by, “just kidding” or “gotcha!” No message followed, though. I felt dizzy, thinking about what could be coming that would make him – us – run. As little control as I had, I tried to keep some semblance of composure so I could tell Job. He was still standing there, waiting for me to assure him that I had been right about the phone call. I wanted to. I wanted to lie to him and tell him it was fine and go back to our embrace. I didn’t have to say anything, though; he could feel what was in my heart and coursing through my veins – fear.

  “We have to go. You need to get dressed as quick as possible. I’ll get everything else.”

  Even though my voice was steady, I could feel a lump in my throat, waiting for me to break down. Shock prevented me from asking if he needed help. I walked away in a hurry, thinking hard about what I would need to bring. I had already forgotten what we had been doing before the text. The phone rang again. I could see the number on the screen, could faintly hear the tune playing, but it was hard to think of why. Chase was not giving up till he knew we were safe.

  “You have to leave! You have to get Job out of the house now! I’m not sure if you can, but Derrick is on his way, and it’s not going to take him long to get there.”

  He was talking, but my mind didn’t comprehend anything he said. Chase was in a tunnel, and the sound had been turned down. I was still trying to clear the fog in my brain so I could remember where my purse had been set.

  “Emily! Emily! Answer me! Are you still there?”

  I could see it sitting on the end table where I had left it the previous night, where I had extracted my phone from just a few minutes earlier.

  “I’m here.”

  I could hear my own voice, but it sounded distant, like it was coming from another room. It was too calm. Looking in the purse, I checked for anything I might need. I had my money and wallet; my ID and credit card. I didn’t need much. Most of the items were already packed in the trunk. Swinging the purse over my head and around my shoulder, my eyes searched the room for anything else.

  “Did you hear what I said? You need to get Job out of the house right now! Derrick knows he’s there. I’m not sure how, but he was asking a lot of questions today. I think I might have said something by accident. Are you listening to me?”

  “I hear you. Derrick – accident – need to leave now. I got it.”

  The sound
was coming back, and my voice was my own. Shoving the phone in my pocket without saying goodbye, I felt the shock wearing off and panic taking over. I was looked around for the keys to the car. It was going to be the only way to get out of here quickly. They weren’t in the purse, where they should be. I had set them on the kitchen counter when I came back inside after getting a set of clothes for Job. From where I stood, I could see them by the door. All I needed to do was pick them up and check on Job.

  I was only a foot away from them before I felt him rush past me. Job was moving faster than I thought possible. Clothed and barefoot, he managed to maneuver around me before I could react. He grabbed the keys from the counter as I reached for them and was off to the door, flashes of red and white streaking by. He stopped for a second to look back, giving me just enough time to catch up to him.

  “Give me the keys, Job.”

  I knew he was planning on taking off without me, and I wasn’t going to let him. I reached out to take them, but he wouldn’t let go; he held them tight in his grip. His face had hardened, and a serious look burned in his eyes.

  “You have to stay. It’s too dangerous to come. You can tell him I forced you to keep me here. It’s just better this way.”

  “You can’t – I won’t let you. I have everything we need. Just give me the keys and I’ll drive you as far as you want to go.”

  I could hear the pleading in my own voice, as I grabbed for the keys in his hand. I could feel his other hand pushing me away gently, keeping me from going any further. I pushed back harder, to make him understand I wasn’t backing down. It was like trying to push a wall out of my way.

  “NO!”

  I felt the pain before I knew what had happened. The sharp sting that ran across my back and shoulder seemed to bloom from nowhere. I could see the pieces of wood that had been part of the kitchen chair scatter around me as I fell through it, hitting my shoulder on the edge of the table. I looked up, stunned, wondering how I had ended up on the floor. I couldn’t fathom that Job, with one hand, had pushed me so hard. I must have tripped on something. That had to be the answer.