She needed a shower and sweats. The warmest sweats she had. Gretchen went through her dresser drawers, which were also completely mixed up. Her patience started to wane, but she eventually found sweatpants, a worn T-shirt, and a plush sweatshirt. Her underwear and socks were in the same place. She stepped into the connected bathroom and flicked on the light. Nothing about the small bathroom had changed.

She placed her clothes on the vanity and started undressing. This was the first time she’d really be able to see her body. She stripped away her sweater and undershirt slowly. She gasped at the fading bruises on her skin. Both of her sides were marked, and her shoulder still held a hint of purple. She examined the scrapes along her face, now just patches of lighter skin. She pulled off her jeans and looked at the faint bruising on her hips and healing cuts on her knees. It was a wonder her injuries weren’t more serious.

She jumped when Jax knocked at the door. “Yeah?”

“Are you okay in there?”

“I’m fine. Just checking out my battle wounds.”

“I’ve started lunch. It’ll be ready by the time you get out.”

“What are we having?”

Jax didn’t answer for a beat. “Lipton noodle soup. I know it seems boring, but I couldn’t imagine eating anything else after being in the hospital.”

“It sounds perfect. I’ll be out in fifteen minutes.”

“Take your time.”

Gretchen turned on the water and searched the narrow linen closet for a towel and shower cap, in no mood to aggravate the painful bump on her head. She stepped under the hot water and felt more relaxed than she had since waking up that dreadful night.

Gretchen welcomed the comfort of her cocoa butter body wash and exfoliating loofah. After scrubbing her face, taking a pumice stone to her feet, and shaving the important areas, Gretchen started to feel brand new. She dried off quickly and wrapped herself in her thick terry robe. She pulled off her shower cap and pulled on her slippers before leaving the bathroom. She nearly ran into Jax right outside the door.

“I’m sorry.” Jax held up her hands. “I was about to check on you.”

Gretchen gripped her chest. Her heart was racing. “I’m okay. I promise. You don’t have to check on me constantly.”

“It’s going to take me a while to believe that.” Jax looked down at Gretchen’s chest. She went back to the kitchen.

Gretchen wondered if they’d ever be normal around each other again.

After getting dressed, she joined Caleb and Jax in the kitchen. Caleb was already halfway through his bowl of soup. He chewed at a piece of buttered roll as he colored.

“He seems to really like coloring.”

Jax spun around at her voice. “Yeah. He has about a hundred different books. It’s good for us because it keeps him in one place.” Jax checked on Caleb before turning back to Gretchen and mouthing and quiet.