Chapter 5: A New Morning

“Mom?”

Dolores opened one eye. Her vision was blurry, and the bright sunlight caused her to squint. Her ears told her it was her son. Then she realized the sheet was down at her waist, and Ron was getting an eyeful.

Quickly, she snatched the sheet up to her shoulders.

“I’m sorry, Ron. Is it time for breakfast?”

“I had cereal, but it’s 8:30 on Tuesday. Aren’t we going to La Crosse?”

“Oh, shit. You’re right. Close the door and go back into the kitchen so I can get dressed.”

After he left, she threw the sheet toward the foot of the bed and stood up. Brandon was awake and leering at her.

“You are magnificent. The most beautiful curvy woman I’ve ever seen. I wish you could stay.”

“My goodness! Look at that huge boner. I can’t wait until tonight.”

“It’s for you, but also, I need to pee, and that causes ‘morning wood,’ Dee.”

“Here, put that huge rod into the urinal while I get dressed. Oh, I need to do laundry.”

She put on her panties and bra as she listened to the splashing as he pissed. She pulled on her scrub pants and sat on the mattress to put on her socks and shoes. And then his warm hands were on her bra, gently squeezing.

“Babe, let me go. I promise, tonight you can fondle me. I’m going to bring a crutch from the clinic so you can get around a little easier.”

“Dee, do they have condoms?”

“They do, but we don’t need them. I’ll explain tonight. It’s late; I’ll see you at dinner!”

Hurriedly, she dumped the urinal and gave it back to him, then pulled on her scrubs, kissed him, and rushed out with her son. He heard her pickup leave, and he was alone.

Driving down the road, Dee suddenly realized she’d put her shirt on inside out.

“Mom?”

“Yeah?”

“Is Brandon staying? Like, in your bed?”

“Oh, wow. I guess it’s obvious. Let me ask you. How do you feel about him?”

“Mom, I’m only 12. I don’t understand much about men and women living together. But, since he’s been here, I see you smiling all the time. And before he was here, I think you were lonely and unhappy. You were missing Daddy. I wasn’t enough.”

“Oh, no! Don’t say that.”

Alarming Ron, she abruptly pulled the truck over onto the shoulder and quickly shifted into “Park.” She pressed the button, releasing his safety belt, and pulled him across the seat cushion into her arms.

“I love you so much, Ron; I can’t imagine being without you. Sure, I miss your dad. That doesn’t mean anything about me and you.”

In a weak voice, “Mom, you’re squishing me!”

“Sorry!”

She released him but placed her hands on each side of his head and kissed him. He pulled away and refastened his belt.

“We’re going to be late, Mom.”

“What are they going to do? Fire me? You’re right, though. Let’s go.”

Brandon woke up again just before noon. After taking another piss, he realized he had a problem. For the first time in the cabin, he was on his own. And he was hungry! What to do?

Problem number one: no crutch. Problem two: his fractured kneecap prevented him from crawling on his hands and knees. Therefore, he’d have to scoot around crab-like, scraping his butt across the floor.

Slowly, carefully, he slipped off the bed with his good leg taking his weight until his ass rested on the wooden floor. Problem three: his badly sprained left wrist wouldn’t support him. Slowly, he rotated around so his shoulders were toward the (thankfully) open bedroom door.

Now, he needed to rest his weight on his right hand and left elbow and use his right leg to push, leaving his left leg to drag. That placed his shoulders at an angle, with the right shoulder high and the left shoulder low. But at least he could move, even though it was awkward!

Creeping, he worked his way out toward the kitchen. He had to stop twice to rest because he was both weak and sweaty. Finally, he was close to the cabinets and drawers and stopped once more to rest.

Now what? To the right of the sink were four wide drawers. He pulled them out, with the bottom one the furthest out. Now, the four drawers looked like stairs.

With great effort, he carefully levered himself up drawer by drawer until his right hand rested firmly on the quartz countertop, and his weight was entirely on his right leg. That allowed him to hop along the counter’s length within reach of a chair, and he used the last of his strength to sit down.

Dolores had left him naked when she rushed out that morning. So, he was careful not to sit on top of his genitalia. They dangled over the edge of the chair between his spread legs.

That’s when Mae walked in with her weekly package of meat. Narrowing her eyes, she dropped the package on the counter, pulled around the rifle slung over her shoulder, and aimed it at his face.