THE NEXT MORNING
Elizabeth opened her eyes to the sound of a loud thud. Without thinking twice, she jumped up and dashed into Clinton's room to see him sprawled on the floor.
She needed not to be told that he had fallen off the bed while he tried to get out of it. Did he forgot he is incapacitated at the moment and can't use his legs or was he just being silly, Elizabeth wondered.
"Sorry sir, let me help you," she offered, using her whole strength to lift him back into the bed.
'God, he is so heavy and doesn't even care how much energy I'm using to lift him up' Elizabeth frowned at the manner with which Clinton relaxed as she lifted him up without even putting an effort to reduce her work.
She finally managed to place him on the bed.
"Should I get your breakfast ready?" Elizabeth asked.
Clinton was calm and he looked distant. His eyes were fixed at the door but there wasn't any blinking or movement while he stared.
"Sir, should I get your breakfast ready?" Elizabeth asked again, tapping him lightly on his shoulder.
She wondered if he was even hearing her at all or if she was speaking to herself without realizing it.
"No, thank you," Clinton replied curtly and relaxed back in the bed without as much as another word to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth thought to ask him again to be really sure he didn't want breakfast but waved it off. She didn't want him acting like the old Clinton although it looked like he was about to behave like his old self.
To avoid aiding him behaving like the old Clinton, Elizabeth quietly left the room.
As she was heading out, she bumped into the doctor who looked all dressed up.
"Doctor Ken,are you leaving?"
"Yes, Elizabeth. I have to get to work as I have left plenty of work hanging and can't afford to miss another hour. I trust you can take care of Clinton. I have prepared his medicine in the right dosage so you can administer it to him when due."
After giving Elizabeth the necessary instructions for Clinton, he further pleaded with Elizabeth to begin the exercise with Clinton.
"I am not sure he would agree to that. He doesn't look like he wants to engage in any activities and especially not with me," Elizabeth told Doctor Ken.
"No, he has to agree because that is his only chance of ever walking and he can't afford to throw it away. Don't worry, I will speak to him now before I leave."
"Hello strong man," doctor Ken greeted as he walked into Clinton's room.
Clinton didn't answer him. His eyes now fixed to the ceiling. If someone entered the room or even said something, Clinton showed no interest in it.
Doctor Ken, who is used to situations like that and completely understands his pain, just smiled and took a seat by his side on the bed.
"I am about to leave and I have given instructions to the maid. You have to listen to her and take your medication when due," he paused and observed his face, not sure if he was listening to him or not.
But either way, he still went on. "Like I told you, you have a chance of walking with your legs again but it's not just with only medication. You need to work your bones and the maid will help you do that, that is if you let her. Please don't joke with the things I'm saying as you need them to get well. "
The doctor concluded, took another short look at Clinton before he made his way out of the room not sure if there is something he should do to get Clinton at least a bit happy and willing to fight for his full recovery.
As a doctor, he is aware that part of the necessary steps needed for one to recover is the willingness to survive, the willingness to recover and Clinton clearly lacked it. Drugs will do their work but a healthy positive and willing mindset does magic to one's recovery.
"You have spoken to him. Did he agree to it?" Elizabeth asked when he got out of Clinton's room.
"Well, he didn't say anything but still remind him when the time reaches."
With that, the doctor left the Smith's mansion leaving Elizabeth and Clinton in the house.
"What is my first step now, hummm," Elizabeth thought out loud. Clinton said he didn't want breakfast but he would still need to take his medication and he can't do that without eating so she still needs to make him food.
She headed to the kitchen to prepare food for both Clinton and herself.
After making the food, she carried it into Clinton's room and placed it on a side table far away from Clinton. She didn't want to come back to see the food wasted by the angry bed.
She then hurried to the doctor's room where she took out the drugs he prepared for Clinton.
She made sure to set all she needed for his meal and drugs including water so she won't have to keep going out to take things.
Shifting the things close to Clinton's bed, she called him to get up and have his meal and medication.
"Sir, you have to eat so you can take your drugs."
"I need to have my bath,it's how many days now that I haven't had a bath, I stink and I don't like it," Clinton said almost with a lamentation tone.
Elizabeth nearly choked even without having water in her mouth.
Have his bath? How is that even possible when he can't move his lower region and cannot see clearly. Phew! No one reminded Elizabeth giving Clinton his bath was part of taking care of him. No! She can't possibly bathe him.
'Eww! No!' Elizabeth thought within her as her thoughts pictured her giving Clinton his bath and having to see his nakedness. Her cheeks burned as she looked from the food to the bed that Clinton was lying in, acting like what he just said didn't sound heavy in his mouth.
Well, if he felt it is so casual for her to wash him, then he better knows now that it is disgusting to her.
She couldn't help but rack her head for a better alternative. Maybe she could just lead him into the bathroom and leave him there. But he can't see clearly. Or she could just prepare everything for him, show him their position and leave him to it.
"Please I need to have my bath," Clinton said again, noticing Elizabeth's sudden quietness.