The pain relievers started to wear off sometime around lunch. I guessed the time because Gus had curled up against my front from where I slept on the floor.
I made to sit up, but quickly found I couldn't. Bandages had been wrapped from my heels to my neck, and should I strain myself past the bandages I could feel the tear of my skin breaking through the last haze of the drugs. Even the minute movement I'd made to check myself and test my range of motion brought new lines of red blood seeping through the linen.
My wiggling instantly alerted Gus, who shot up.
"Don't move! Just tell me what you need."
I pouted, still feeling a bit...distance. "Gussy."
"Yeah?"
"I want Gussy." I tried to hold out my arm, but only succeeded in lifting it off my side like a sad penguin impression. "Hug me!"
His face scrunched up, as though he weren't sure he should laugh, scold me, or be disgusted.