New Kid

I didn't sleep long, because Carter still wasn't back when I woke up. I looked down at the bulky cast that encased my leg, sighing when I realized that I could barely move it.

Mama was in the recliner reading, and Daddy was asleep on the sofa.

You guys are good company, I thought.

Then the door opened and Carter stepped into the room. His shoulders sagged and his hands were stuffed into his pockets.

"I thought you were never coming back," I said lightly, attempting to smile.

He gave me a small smile before sinking into the chair next to me. I could still see the pain in his eyes.

It hurt me more than ever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Days passed, and the Carter I knew still hadn't returned.

My ribs had healed and most of the bruises had faded, but my leg was the same. On the bright side, I got a lighter cast. But I still couldn't get my mind off Carter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was sitting in the recliner one day watching tv, when Carter sat dwon beside me.

"You look so much better," he muttered.

"Thanks. The doctor told me that I can go home in a day or two," I said. I was beginning to get frustrated with Carter.

"Maybe I can keep you safe from now on," he said.

At that point, the anger and frustration reached a boiling point. I got so angry that I cried.

"Matt? What's wrong?" Carter asked worriedly, climbing in the chair with me and settling me in his lap.

I didn't answer. All I could do was cry and pound his hard chest with my fists.

"It's not your fault! It's not your fault!" I repeated, my fists kepping time with my words.

He let me rant for a few minutes, then he gently grabbed my hands and kissed them. I looked up at him in confusion.

"I know it's not my fault. Your mom talked some sense into me a few days ago. Seeing you like this has just been hurting me so badly. That's why I've been acting like this," he said as he gently wiped the tears from my face.

I was too relieved to say anything. My Carter, the Carter that I've always known, had come back to me.

"I love you," he whispered in my ear.

"I love you too," I whispered back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was released the next day. Carter pushed me to the car in my wheelchair, and helped me in. never in my life I have been so reliebed to get in a car. Carter climbed into the backseat with me and held me close to him.

"Ready to go home?" he asked me.

"Fuck yes," I replied.

To be continued.....