Broken Vows

Chapter 12

Erin pulled into Brody’s driveway not long after her shift ended on Thursday evening.  Stan had been discharged that morning and Brody had asked her to check in on them when she got off work.  She was sure the doctor and nurses had carefully explained things before they allowed him to leave the hospital, but she knew Brody felt better having her double check everything.  Her nursing knowledge helped to put him at ease.

She climbed from the car and made her way to the front door where she knocked before letting herself in. 

“Hello!  Stan?  Brody?  It’s Erin!” she called as she stepped inside.

She heard footsteps coming through the kitchen and soon Brody entered the living room to greet her.

He gave her a grin before leaning down to kiss her.  “Hey, Hot Stuff, thanks for coming over.”

Erin rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile on her lips.  “No problem.  Glad to help the needy.”

“According to my father, he isn’t needy.  His discharge papers say otherwise.”

“Obstinate, is he?” Erin asked.  “Gee, I wouldn’t know anyone else like that.”

Brody raised an eyebrow at her.  “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.  Come on back, he’s in his den.”

Erin followed Brody back to the room off the kitchen, which held Stan’s recliner and a TV.  Where the living room had obviously been Marie’s domain, this room was Stan’s “man cave”.  He sat with his feet up in his recliner, a TV tray by his side and the local news droning in the background.

He looked up as Erin and Brody approached.

“Erin!  It’s so nice to see you!  I was beginning to think Brody had scared you off.”

Erin laughed and went to give him a delicate squeeze and kiss on the cheek.

“Nah, I’ve just been busy working and taking care of my daughter.  Believe it or not, Brody has been wonderful.  I just may keep him around.”

Stan looked up at Brody with a wink.  “About time you figured out how to treat the ladies.”

Brody shook his head at his Dad.  “I always knew how to treat them Dad.  My problem was finding a true lady.”

Stan glanced back at Erin and studied her a moment before nodding in agreement.  “You got me there, son.  Erin’s every bit a lady.”

Erin could feel herself blushing and broke eye contact with Stan only to find herself staring into Brody’s serious brown eyes.  He hadn’t been teasing.  He truly meant what he said about her.

“Anyway,” she began, changing the subject, “Do you two have any questions about your discharge instructions or meds?  Do you want me to look over the paperwork?”

Stan waved his hand in the direction of the kitchen.  “It’s all laying out there on the counter.  Seemed pretty simple and straight forward to me, but you can have a look if you want.  Wish they’d let me do more, but the doctor keeps saying my body isn’t ready, even if my spirit is.”

Erin smiled and patted Stan’s hand.  “Your body’s gone through a lot, Stan.  You don’t want to push yourself too hard too fast and end up hurting yourself.  Take the time to heal before you enter the rat race again.”  She glanced back at Brody with a sly grin.  “Besides, when else will you get the chance to have Brody wait on you hand and foot?”

Stan nodded, as if thinking about her last statement.  “Good point, good point.” He conceded.

Erin gave his hand another pat and then rose to follow Brody into the kitchen.  Sure enough, she found Stan’s discharge papers along with his meds all sitting together on the counter.  He had some painkillers along with a hypo-allergenic lotion to apply regularly.  There were no antibiotics anymore as the burns had healed enough to lower the risk for infection.