Chapter 9
I hadn’t packed as much as I wanted last night.
All the nights without decent sleep had caught up to me.
I fell asleep at nine o’clock and slept until eight this morning.
I was amazed Fenrir lasted that long without going out to pee.
I was still groggy.
I hated it when I slept for a long time and woke up like that.
I was drinking coffee to shed that feeling.
Then, I’d get to work on my packing. I’d have almost everything ready if I worked most of today and tomorrow.
My cell phone ringing startled me so much that I jerked and spilled some coffee on the table.
Scrambling to find and answer my phone was first, then to wipe up the mess.
I found my cell in the living room on the television.
I didn’t recall even walking over by the TV this morning. Seeing a number with a local area code that I didn’t recognize, I hit the answer button. I sent out a couple of inquiries to moving companies last night so they’d have them on Monday. Maybe one of them was working after all.
“Hello, I’m here.
Sorry, I had to find my phone,” I explained as I answered.
“That’s alright, Dragon Lady.
I’d just keep calling until you answered,” Santiago Luna’s amused voice came over the line.
I blinked.
“Santiago?” I asked to be sure I wasn’t imagining it, although he was the only one to call me Dragon Lady.
He chuckled.
“Yeah, it’s Santiago.
Damn, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me that fast.
That’s cruel and cuts my poor male ego down to nothing, Dragon.
Have you already replaced me, and is another guy calling you his dragon lady? If so, I want to know his name and where I can find him,” he grumbled.
I chuckled.
You couldn’t help it with him.
“No, I haven’t forgotten you, and your ego would survive if I had.
I heard how you liked to flirt with all the nurses behind my back.
I should lie and tell you I did find someone new.”
“Hey, that’s not fair.
It was all pretend with them.
You’re the only one I adore.
They didn’t get a special name. You did,” he teased.
I pretended to consider what he was saying, not replying for several moments.
Finally, I gave in.
“You’re incorrigible.
It’s good to hear you sound so good.
How did you get my number? What can I do for you?”
“I’m incorrigibly handsome, that’s true.
As for how I got your number, I have connections.
However, I must confess I’m calling to throw myself on your mercy and to beg.”
“Beg for what?”
“I’m in a bind, Paige.
And you’re the only one who can help me, and honestly, that I want.”
“Go on,” I prompted.
“I’ve been discharged home.
And while I’m happy about it, I’m afraid I’ll end up right back in there.” He sounded despondent.
“Why? What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I can’t get anyone competent and not a complete waste to do my wound care and help me reposition as I should.
I tried to have someone here twenty-four-seven, but there were no takers, so I asked for twelve hours daily.
The ones I got wouldn’t do anything.
They kept messing up the wound care. And I spend most of the day in my chair because they won’t do their job. All they want to do is sit on their asses, mess with their phones, and get paid.
“I’m desperate.
I don’t want to go back to the hospital.
I can’t tell if the infection is returning or the wound is getting deeper.
And I know this is beneath your qualifications, but I’ve got to ask. Would you do it? I’ll pay you whatever you were making hourly at the hospital,” he rushed to add.
While the nurse in me wanted to say yes, it wasn’t a good idea, not with our history and what had happened lately.
“Santiago, I’d like to help.
I really would, but that’s not possible.
For one thing, I’m preparing to get a new job and move.
For another, even if I wasn’t, my taking care of you isn’t a good idea.”
“You mean because of all the bullshit that Scorpion caused at the hospital.”
“There is that and our past,” I reminded him.
“Paige, the past is just that.
As for what Scorpion did, he told me he would speak to you and that he’s working to get your job back.
Did he not do that?” Santiago sounded upset.
“He did.
He stopped by yesterday.
I appreciate the effort, but I decided it’s best if I leave St.
Augustine. Even if you and the Horsemen let me live peacefully, others might not. I should’ve thought of that before I came back here.”
“Fuck them! If they give you a hard time, let me know.
I’m the only person who has any right to be upset, and I’m not.
Everything happens for a reason.
Come on. Please. At least say you’ll do it until I can find someone else, or you find a new job and have to leave,” he cajoled.
I tried to convince him it wasn’t a good idea, but after ten minutes of back and forth, I gave in.
I wanted to see how his wounds were doing.
If they’d let him get worse, I’d rip someone’s head off.
“Okay, you’ve worn me down.
I’ll see you and check out your wounds.
Do you want me to come today?”
“If you could, that would be wonderful.
Thank you.
You’re a godsend.”
“I’m warning you, if they messed up your wounds, the dragon is going to be breathing fire up some asses.”
“And I’ll enjoy watching you do it.
What time should I expect you?”
“Give me two hours.
What’s your address?”
“I’ll send it to you.
See you in two hours.
Drive safe,” he said.
“I will.”
After I hung up, I got into gear.
I needed to shower, dress, and take Fenrir for a potty break.
I’d ask Alvin if he would drop in and take him out later.
If he were home, he often did it for me. While doing that, I got Santiago’s text with his address. He lived on the outskirts of St. Augustine. I was in luck. Alvin was home and agreed. He asked if I had straightened things out with work. I told him I was in the process.
The drive to Santiago’s house didn’t take as long as I expected.
It was a lovely place with what appeared to be a decent amount of property surrounding it.
His nearest neighbors were a quarter of a mile away.
I parked in his driveway. Grabbing my nursing bag, which had my assessment equipment and wound care supplies in case he needed any, I hopped out and went to the door. I knocked loudly and then waited for him to answer. It might take him a bit to get there.
In less time than I imagined, the door swung open.
Santiago was there in his wheelchair.
He smiled up at me.
“Come on in.
It’s great to see you, Dragon,” he said, winking.
As he moved his chair back, I came inside and shut the door.
He was ahead of me, already pushing his way to another room.
I followed and tried to see what his house was like, as I did.
He had a lovely home from the outside. What I saw so far was the same inside. We ended up in his kitchen.
I was pleased to note that it was adapted to make it functional for him.
The counter heights were lowered, and there had been a ramp up to the porch.
I’d have to assess whether his bedroom and bathroom had the same modifications.
It would make things much easier if they did.
“Have a seat.
Let’s chat first.
I feel like we haven’t talked in forever.
Help yourself.” He indicated a pitcher of strawberry lemonade in the middle of the counter. There were three glasses of ice next to it. I was delighted he remembered. I’d confessed one day when we were talking that strawberry lemonade was a favorite.
I poured both of us a glass.
Sliding his glass over to him, I sat on a stool.
Taking a sip, I had to moan.
It was incredibly delicious.
“God, that’s the best strawberry lemonade I’ve ever tasted.
Did you make it or buy it? Because if you bought it, I need to know where.
If you made it, I need the recipe.”
“Glad you like it.
No, I didn’t buy it, nor did I make it.
Someone else did.
Oh, there he is,” Santiago said, pointing over my shoulder.
Twisting to see who it was, I gulped.
Scorpion filled the doorway from a hallway that I assumed led to Santiago’s bedroom.
A wave of panic mixed with excitement hit me.
I wanted to run and stay at the same time. Scorpion’s smile made my stomach feel like there were butterflies in it. I coughed on the sip of lemonade I’d just taken.
“Oops, did a strawberry go down the wrong way?” Santiago asked.
A hand landed on my back and patted it.
The heat off Scorpion’s palm felt like enough to scorch my top.
Get a hold of yourself.
I told myself. Another couple of coughs, and I was able to speak.
“Thanks, but I’m good now.
I wasn’t expecting you to have company, Santiago.
I should come back later.” I went to rise, but Scorpion’s hand moved and ended up on my shoulder, gently pushing down.
“There’s no need to do that.
I swear I’ll stay out of your way.
The reason I’m here is curiosity,” Scorpion said.
He moved and sat on the stool next to me.
“Curiosity about what?” I asked.
My thoughts were racing.
His cologne was teasing my nose.
I fought not to inhale deeply, giving away the fact that I was smelling him.
“I want to see what his wounds look like.
How bad they are.
I’ve seen some in the past.
I’m trying to judge how bad they are in comparison. I’ve tried to help him with them, but I’m all thumbs, and I can’t seem to do the care right. If I could, we wouldn’t need your help. However, from the sounds of it, I’m better than any of the caregivers sent, which is scary,” Scorpion said, chuckling.
“God, ain’t that the truth,” Santiago muttered.
An idea began to form.
If I could figure out how to teach Scorpion so he could do the wound care correctly, he could take over, and I’d be off the hook in a couple of days.
That idea was dashed with his following statement.
“And there’s the fact that I’m not always around or in town.
It would be hit and miss, which he says is bad,” Scorpion continued.
“Santiago is correct.
That is bad.
To go without it even one day can set back his healing or allow infection to take hold.
He needs wound care at least daily, depending on how much drainage there is, possibly twice daily. His nutrition and supplements should add to the healing process. I bet they didn’t order the supplements you were on at the hospital.” I paused, and Santiago shook his head.
“We need to restart those.
And your meals need to have extra protein in them.
Was a sample diet given to you, Santiago?” I asked.
I slipped right into nurse mode.
“Before I answer that, I’d like you to call me Tiago.
That’s what my friends call me, and I believe we’re that, Dragon,” Santiago said.
“If you’d like.
Thank you.
Now, answer the questions,” I mockingly scolded.
“There she is, my dragon lady.
Scorpion, her secret is that she scares her patients into doing what she says.
If they don’t, she breathes fire, and we fall into line,” Tiago teased.
I bared my teeth at him and growled.
Tiago cracked up, and Scorpion smiled.
“Alright, enough messing around.
I need to assess some things, review your meds, and see what they gave you for wound care.
Did they keep it the same?” I asked Tiago.
“It didn’t seem like it was.
My meds are in my bedroom.
I can get them.”
“No need.
I need to see your bedroom and bathroom anyway.”
“Why do you need to do that?” Scorpion asked.
He rose after I did.
“I want to know what modifications he has in case I need to get some safety devices added.
Grab bars and things of that nature will help him be independent and safe.
The same goes for his bed.
Do you have a trapeze bar to assist you in moving and turning? I assume you do, but I need to be sure.”
Tiago nodded.
“Go right ahead and look at the whole house.
Scorpion will show you around.
I would, but I need to get out of this chair and into a softer one.
I’ll be in the living room when you’re done.”
I wanted to protest his leaving me with his friend, but it would be childish.
I could handle Scorpion for as long as it took to complete my assessment, perform Tiago’s wound care, and determine his nutrition.
I slipped a pen and notebook out of my bag, which I’d placed on the counter next to me when I sat.
I gestured to Scorpion.
“I’m ready if you are.
It shouldn’t take long,” I told Tiago.
“Take your time,” he responded as he wheeled into the living room.
“This way,” Scorpion said, waving me ahead of him.
As we walked down the hall, it felt like his gaze was burning through me.
I had to shake these silly notions.
He pointed out the various rooms as we passed them.
At the end of the hall was a door.
“That last door is his bedroom and bathroom.
I think you’ll find it pretty decked out.
After the accident, we had this house remodeled to accommodate him.
Even though Moondog was still alive and lived here, he insisted everything be changed to make it work for Tiago.”
“Moondog?” I asked as we entered the bedroom.
“Yeah, that was his dad.
This place is the family home.”
Glancing around, I saw a spacious room.
The bed was a king-sized one.
There was a trapeze bar hanging over one side.
Leaning against his nightstand was a reacher. There was plenty of room to maneuver his wheelchair and store it when not in use. Moving further inside, I found the bathroom. It, too, was spacious. The shower was huge, and he could roll his wheelchair into it. However, inside was a transfer bench. All his showering items were on a low shelf that was easy to reach. Grab bars were in the shower and beside the sink, which was lowered. A shower hose shower head was mounted low on the wall, so it was easy for him to use, in addition to the one higher up. In the toilet area, there were grab bars and, again, room to get around. A lot of thought and cost went into this.
“Do you see anything we should add?” Scorpion asked.
“No, not in here.
It’s been done very well.
Could I see his office? I just want to see if he might need something there.
I know it doesn’t exactly pertain to his wound care, but while I’m here,” I shrugged.
“Absolutely.
We’ll take all the expert advice we can get.”
“I’m hardly an expert, but I’ve worked a lot with people who adapt homes for patients before and after discharge, so I’ve picked up things.”
Scorpion led me back up the hallway to Tiago’s office.
Opening the door, I saw he had an excellent setup, and his desk and everything there were similarly adapted to fit his needs. I smiled.
“I can’t suggest a thing.
A lot of thought and care went into this.”
“We tried, and after Moondog died, we added a bit more.
It was worth the money, for sure.
It’s allowed T to live independently, which we all want.
He’s a very successful networking engineer. Did he tell you that?” Scorpion asked. We were headed back to the living room.
“He did.
He talked over my head, which isn’t hard when it comes to computers.
He was showing off,” I said louder so Tiago could hear me.
When we got to him, he was smirking.
“I wasn’t showing off.
I can’t help it if I'm a genius and you mere mortals can’t keep up.”
“And he’s so humble, too,” Scorpion said sarcastically.
“Look who’s talking.
You can fix anything with an engine, not just bikes and vehicles.
And he runs the club’s garage for them, which is very successful.
Don’t let him fool you, Paige. Scorpion is intelligent,” Tiago assured me.
While we were bantering, Scorpion topped off our lemonades and brought them to the living room.
He gestured to the couch, so I sat there.
The next thing I knew, he was next to me.
I had to fight to pay attention to what Tiago was saying.
“How was it? Anything you think I need?” Tiago asked.
“Honestly, no, you have a great setup.
Oh crap, I forgot to look at your meds.
I got distracted.” I started to rise, but Scorpion’s hand on my thigh halted me.
“Stay.
I know where they are.
I’ll bring them to you.” He was up and gone before I could protest.
I told Tiago how much I liked his house and how wonderfully it had been adapted.
“That’s all the club’s doing.
They found the people and paid them to have it done.
I tried to stop them, but they said I was family.
Even if I didn’t get to patch in as intended, Dad was still a member. They were amazing,” he explained.
Hearing that they did that made me warm inside.
However, finding out he was denied membership made me want to cry.
Before I could apologize, Scorpion was back.
I focused on the bottles he handed me. As I jotted the names down, I sighed. They hadn’t prescribed him any of the supplements I’d ordered. A couple were pricey but worth the money, in my opinion. When I was done, I shook my head.
“They didn’t give you any of them.
I can give you a list.
You’re able to get them without a prescription.
I know a place that carries them all. Two are a bit pricey, but they should be taken if you can afford them.” I was scribbling the names and dosages down.
“Give me the list, and we’ll get them.
Money isn’t an object,” Scorpion said, holding out his hand.
I gave him the list.
“The name of the place where you can get them is on there, too.
If we can get them right away, that would be best.
You were doing so well in the hospital.
I hate to think you’ve stalled or gotten worse. Could I check your wounds and take care of them now? I’ll see if wound supplies need to be added to that list.”
“Sure, we might as well get it over with.
I can lie on the couch or my bed,” Tiago offered.
“Whichever is the most comfortable for you,” I told him.
“Let’s do my room.
The supplies are in there,” Tiago said.
Another trip down the hall and into his room.
This one took longer since he had to transfer back to his wheelchair, but he was still efficient in doing it.
I snagged my bag and took it with me as I passed the counter.
I stood back and allowed him to say whether he wanted help or not. He didn’t. I watched him expertly transfer himself to the bed and, with just a little help from Scorpion, onto his stomach. He had on a pair of sweats with an elastic waist.
“Scorpion, get the stuff, will you? You know where it is,” Tiago’s muffled voice asked.
“Give me a minute,” was all his friend said.
While he fetched the supplies, I washed my hands in the bathroom.
Clean hands were a must, even if I wore gloves.
By the time I returned, the items were laid on the nightstand.
Rummaging through them again, I was disappointed. This wasn’t what we were doing in the hospital, nor would it be as effective as that. I shook my head. Why did they do that?
“Let me guess, they changed your orders,” Tiago said.
His head was turned, and he was watching me.
“They did.
I have no idea why.
Wait, yes, I do.
I bet some intern wrote the discharge orders, and knowing nothing about wounds, he or she ordered this basic shit. When will doctors learn to leave this to nurses? We tell them what to order, and they do it,” I snipped.
Tiago chuckled.
“Watch out, Scorpion.
She’s close to breathing fire.
Paige is an expert in wound care.
She’s the one who told the doctor what to order for me, and that includes all the extra pills.”
“I’m not an expert.
I just have a lot of experience,” I denied.
“Bullshit.
The other nurses told me about you and how you were their go-to for wound care.
Tell us what you need, and we’ll get it.
To hell with the doctor’s orders. I want to heal and fast,” Tiago grunted.
Ignoring most items on the nightstand, I removed my supplies from my bag.
They were what he had been getting in the hospital.
After I laid them out, I put on gloves.
With those on, I was ready.
“Alright.
You know the drill.
I’ve got to pull your pants down.”
“Yep,” was all Tiago said.
As I worked them down, which took some wiggling since he couldn’t lift, he chatted with Scorpion.
“She just wants to see my ass.
She’s in love with it,” he joked.
“You keep it up.
I believe in payback,” I teased him.
Tiago chuckled.
“I can lift him if that helps,” Scorpion offered.
“Thanks, but I’ve got it.
Will you bring that trash can closer?”
Nodding, Scorpion fetched it for me and placed it next to me.
With Tiago’s pants down, I saw the two dressings on each buttock.
They were well taped in place, but a lot of drainage had soaked through.
Damn, I wasn’t happy about that. It was less than this at the hospital.
“When was the last time this was changed?” I asked.
“Last night around eleven.
I did it since he didn’t have anyone, but it was with that stuff,” Scorpion admitted.
Roughly twelve hours.
It shouldn’t be this much.
Peeling back the tape, I loosened it on both wounds before removing the bandages.
Crap. It wasn’t infected, but the wound beds were worse than when I last did his care. The drainage was more. The color was serosanguinous rather than purulent. I sniffed to see if there was a foul odor. It seemed okay, but it would need to be watched. It could turn into an infection in a snap.
“How does it look, Dragon?” Tiago asked.
“It’s not as bad as I feared, but it’s not good either.
The wounds have had a setback.
I’ll work on these using the old treatment and closely monitor them.
I don’t think you have an infection. You need to get off these more, Tiago. The more you sit, the worse these will get. I know you work and have things to do, but we’ve got to get you to rest more and work from bed like you did at the hospital. Or is there someone you can get to use as your assistant who can help with things?”
He listened to me but said nothing.
I let him mull it over while I thoroughly cleaned them.
Then, I applied a topical solution to debride the dead tissue.
It had increased and would have to be cleared before the healthy new tissue below could be worked on. I packed in extra gauze to ensure it absorbed more drainage, then covered it with a bordered dressing and added extra tape.
“She does it so slick, and she’s definitely doing a better job than I did,” Scorpion muttered.
“You didn’t do badly, Scorpion.
The treatment they gave him was the issue, not your skills,” I assured him.
“Still, it’s a damn good thing you’ll be doing it.
He can’t go back to the hospital, and he sure won’t go to a rehab center.
He’s had enough of those to last a lifetime,” Scorpion added.
“That’s for damn sure.
Are you done admiring my ass, woman?” Tiago asked.
“I should smack your ass,” I said without thinking.
“Well, if you want to get kinky, we’ll have Scorpion leave,” Tiago’s voice became a drawl.
I noted the teasing sparkle in his eye.
“You couldn’t handle me.
Now, let’s get you turned onto your side,” I spouted back.
I wasn’t here in an official nurse capacity, so I could say whatever I wanted.
“I think we should wait to turn me.
I might scare you with what I’m sporting in the front right now.
Unless that’s what you want to see,” he smirked.
“Whoa, enough of that shit.
I don’t want to hear it.
And if you want to keep her as your nurse, lay off the sexual innuendos, brother,” Scorpion growled.
He didn’t sound happy. Surely, a biker like him wasn’t a prude. It didn’t fit with his image.
Tiago just laughed, and I rolled my eyes.
His talk didn’t bother me.
I’d heard worse.
“Don’t worry.
It’ll take more than that to scare me off.
I’ve heard a lot worse.
I’m a dragon, remember?”
“She’s issued a challenge,” Tiago chuckled, but Scorpion didn’t respond.
He had a faraway look on his face.
I assisted Tiago in pulling his sweatpants back up and then rolled him to his side with pillows behind his back.
“You should stay in bed for a few hours, Tiago.
It’ll relieve the pressure on those spots and allow blood and nutrients to reach them, helping you heal.”
He sighed.
“Okay, I will.
I know you’re right, but it’s boring just to lie here.
Scorpion has to get to work soon.
Before you run off, I’d like to talk to you about your time here.”
I sat on the edge of the bed.
“What about it? I can come back this evening and change the dressings again.
I think twice a day for a bit is in order.
Start those supplements right away.
I’ll bring you a printout of the foods you should eat.”
“And all of that is wonderful, but the repositioning kicks my ass.
The pillows help, but I can’t get them placed by myself.
I’d like you to consider working at least eight hours a day for me.
If you can do that during the day, I can get someone to help reposition at night. They’ll be fine if they don’t have to handle wound care and other things. I’m not expecting you to entertain me every second or anything. While I work, you can be working on whatever. And Fenrir is more than welcome. Scorpion told me he met him. And I’d pay you the same wage you got at the hospital.”
It was too good of an offer for what little he needed.
I couldn’t take advantage of him.
“Tiago, you don’t need to pay someone that much.
I’ll be glad to help you with the dressings and nutrition.
I can do that with no problem, and I’m not expecting to be paid.
Get someone in to help with the turning during the day, too. Having them here twenty-four-seven will cost less than paying me for eight hours.”
Neither man appeared happy with my suggestion.
After a long silence, Tiago sighed.
“Will you do it until I get someone here to do the other? I have the club working on it.
Give me a week.
And I insist on paying you for your time.”
“He’s not budging on the payment, and I don’t blame him.
We’re trying to get him a caregiver.
A week would be a tremendous help,” Scorpion added.
I knew I couldn’t leave Tiago in a bind, so I surrendered.
“Alright, a week, but remember, you asked for me.
No crying if I become the dragon with you.
I’ll be a taskmaster,” I warned Tiago.
“Deal and thank you, Paige.
And I promise not to force you to become the dragon, though I wouldn’t mind seeing you do it to someone else.
Maybe, Scorpion,” he winked.
“Buddy, my ass is in enough trouble with her.
I don’t need more.
I’m trying to make up for the shit I’ve done.
Thanks, Paige. I’ve got to run, but I’ll have this list of things here by this evening. Will seven o’clock be early enough?” Scorpion asked.
“It’ll do fine.
Since I didn’t plan to be here all day, I’ll need to go home for a bit, and then I’ll come back.
Are you truly okay with Fenrir coming?” I asked Tiago.
“Absolutely.
I love dogs,” was his answer.
With this settled, it didn’t take me long to leave.
Scorpion saw me to the door.
He planned to walk me to my car, but I declined his offer and said goodbye.
As I drove away, I wondered if I’d just dug a bigger hole for myself. Associating with Tiago, Scorpion, and the Horseman opened a whole new can of worms, one that could blow up. I had to stick to a week and then be done.