//------------------------------// // Chapter Three: Unexpected Results of Admittance // Story: Redheart Rehabilitation // by Emerald Omen //------------------------------// Someone was poking my nose. I scrunched my face, and tried to bat whatever was poking my nose away, muttering nonsense in my sleep. “Wake up sleepyhead.” I heard someone say. I cracked open one eye, and found Redheart’s face inches from mine. “Geez!” I said, startling myself awake. Redheart just put a hand to her mouth, giggling to herself. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. “God, what time is it?” I mumbled. Red snickered. “Let me guess, you’re not used to getting up at six thirty in the morning.” she said. I straightened up. “S-Six thirty?! Are you trying to kill me?” I asked, bewildered. She laughed again. “Look at it this way, by getting up earlier, we can do more stuff today, instead of only getting half a day by sleeping in! Doesn’t that make sense?” she asked, sitting next to me. I shrugged. “I guess it does. Let me shower and get changed, and then I’ll make breakfast.” I said, stretching. “Okay. I’ve already done my morning routine, so I’ll just wait for you in the kitchen.” Redheart said, leaving me to wake up. I wandered into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I shrugged off my dirty clothes, and turned on the shower, letting it run for a moment to let the water heat up. I stepped in, letting the hot water run over my body. There are few things more relaxing than a nice, hot shower. After a ten minute rinse, I stepped out and wrapped myself in a towel, waist down. Of course, it was then I realized that I had forgotten to get fresh clothes before hand. I quietly opened the bathroom door, peeking out to make sure Redheart wasn’t around, then meandered to my bedroom. Of course, I had also forgotten that was Redheart’s room for now. I stepped in, and froze. Redheart was currently only in her bra and panties, staring at me with a shocked expression. “J-Jack?! D-Don’t look!” she squeaked, quickly turned away from me. I quickly stumbled backwards, away from the doorway, clutching my waistline towel with one hand. “Sorry! I’m so sorry! I forgot to get fresh clothes, and thought you would still be in the kitchen.” I babbled. I tripped over a stool behind me, and fell backwards onto the ground, cracking my head on the hardwood floor in the process, knocking me out cold. “Jack, are you okay? Please be okay!” I heard someone say. I opened my eyes, and found I was staring at the ceiling. “Uhh, where am I?” I asked aloud. I heard a faint gasp, and suddenly Redheart appeared at my side. “Oh god Jack! You tripped over something, and knocked yourself out! You’ve been out for an hour.” she said, looking relieved. I was going to move my head, but it hurt to much. It was then I remembered what had happened prior. “Sorry for… um...” I paused, searching for the right words. Redheart put a hand on her chest. “Don’t worry about it Jack. It was an accident, and we’re both adults after all. I know you wouldn't peep on a girl on purpose. You’re not like that.” she said, smiling. I noticed I was wearing clothes. “Umm… did you dress me?” I asked, realizing that if she had done so, she would have seen… everything. To my horror, she nodded, confirming my fears. “Yes. You were shivering, so I dried you off, and put some fresh clothes on you.” she said innocently. I glared at her. “And… did you...” I whispered. She giggled. “Yes Jack, I saw you. I was a Nurse for a few years, so don’t worry. I’m used to it.” she said, patting my chest gently. I leaned my head back against the pillow. A question flew into my head. “Wait, you were a Nurse? Then, why aren’t you now? Didn’t you like it?” I asked quizzically. She nodded. “I liked it for the most part, but the part I really hated was having to see patients I got close to… pass on. It’s unbelievably difficult to get close to someone, just to have them leave you unexpectedly, so I quit, and started my own business that still allowed me to help people.” she said. I was hit with sudden realization. “Redheart Rehabilitation… Miss Redheart. Wait, are you the owner of Redheart Rehabilitation?!” I exclaimed. She nodded. “Yep. The business is only a few months old, and I rarely participate personally as a rehab person, mainly because I get so busy with paperwork and other duties, but I was open when you came in yesterday. When Melissa, the girl you spoke to, came back and told me there was a gentleman in need of a rehab worker for a week that was such a perfect match for me, I honestly looked forward to meeting you.” Redheart admitted. Once again, I felt guilty. It was time to tell her, even if the conditions weren’t perfect. “Um, Red? I need to tell you something.” I said, forcing myself to look at her. She looked at me, waiting for me to continue. “I’m not a smoker.” I confessed. She gave me a confused look, so I decided to continue. “I was just walking through the mall when I spotted your business. I just got a really strong urge to go in, and when I did, the atmosphere was just so… friendly. I haven’t been in a place that felt like that in a long time, and I didn’t really want it to end, so I applied. I thought it would be nice to have a nice person to be with for a week, even if they were getting payed to do so.” I finished, feeling worse and worse as I heard myself admit that. Redheart was silent, just looking at me. I decided to speak a little more. “I now realize that I took you away from your business, and potentially took you away from helping someone who might have actually needed help, and I feel rotten about it now. I originally told myself it would be fine, because I’m paying you, and in the business business, money is what matters. But I know that was wrong now. Please don’t hate me.” I said, closing my eyes, waiting for her answer. I eventually heard her sigh, and braced myself for her to lash out at me. "I'm going back to work. I don't have time for people who take advantage of me." she said, quickly sitting up. She walked over to her suitcase and began to pack up her things. I suddenly felt scared. "W-Wait Red! Is there anything, absolutely ANYTHING I can do to make you stay? I really enjoy your company!" I pleaded. Red stopped just as she was about to walk out the door, and turned to me. "Anything?" she asked. I nodded. "Anything. I feel really bad for lying to you, and I still hope we can be friends." I said quietly. Redheart crossed her arms. "Fine. There is one thing you can do." she said. I looked up hopefully. "You can take me out on a dinner date." she finished. Wait... what?