Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Padding across the hospital room in her fuzzy socks, Sherilyn took small, cautious steps to the side of the bed. She placed her pillow beside Gilbert's and then, carefully, climbed onto the bed to lie down next

to him.

She glanced up at him. "I didn't bump into you, did I?"

"...No!" Gilbert snapped back to reality, his response firm and clear.

"Good."

Reaching for the remote on the nightstand, Sherilyn turned on the TV mounted across from the bed. There wasn't much else to do, and staring into each other's eyes would just be awkward.

"What do you feel like watching?" she asked, wanting to pick something they could both enjoy.

"Anything's fine."

Gilbert was always easygoing with Sherilyn, especially now when he was over the moon just to be near her.

"Pick whatever you like. I'm here with you."

"Alright."

Flipping through channels, Sherilyn settled on a lively variety show. Serious programs or news just couldn't hold her attention with her mind in such a mess.

"Let's watch this."

until he

tensed up instantly. "Watch your wounds. They

just want to hold you." He sounded almost pitiful.

happen when

he boldly pressed his

snapped, slightly annoyed, "If you keep it up, I'm getting off

Gilbert tightened his grip, his voice filled with a plaintive tone. "I'm not doing

gave him a meaningful

for now. If you end up uncomfortable later, that's on you.

Gilbert was left speechless.

He felt rejected!

reassured her, "Just wait for me. My wounds will heal soon. I won't

he decided

to his

Gilbert's recovery was swift. After a calm four or five days, his wounds were healing nicely, though

Sherilyn muttered something about the

mind at all,

paused, then

on his back. To

where did they come from? Could they be

deepened, Francis was driving to the hospital to visit

alone tonight, as Sylvia wasn't feeling well and Caroline stayed home with the

an intersection, suddenly, a figure dashed