The Trophy Husband A Mark Sampson Story Chapter 1: Scars

TRIGGER WARNING — This chapter describes violence, suicidal ideation, and self-harm/mutilation. The section will begin and end with an all capitals warning, for your convenience.

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I was breathless. “Do you think I’m gonna be a good Dad?”

Kiya held her hand over her mouth as sweet tears of joy ran down her face. She nodded.

“C’mere.” I said, and outstretched my arms.

Kiya ran to the hospital bed, dove into me, and hugged me with surprising strength. I winced in pain.

“Oh, baby, I’m still shot, remember?” I said.

She recoiled. “Mark, fuck, I’m so sorry!”

I caressed her cheek, and stared into her dark emerald eyes. I wiped away her tears with my thumb.

“You wanted this since the first time, didn’t you?” I asked her, softly.

She nodded. “I love you, Mark. I’ve always loved you. I wanted you . . To always be a part of me.”

I cupped her face and pulled her to me. My lips grazed hers as her breath caught. “I love you too, Kiya.”

Our lips met in a glorious embrace, and our tongues danced and played. She was greedy, eager, and so was I.

“Okay- I- I want to- but- work-“ She said, breathless, after our kiss.

I nodded, so very glad I still had that effect on her.

Kiya turned abruptly to look at Amanda. “WAIT. Did you open the box?!”

Amanda had recovered, and turned the box to show Kiya. Inside was the bespoke ring I had sold my Corvette for, five weeks before, the day I had been shot. It was a large, black metal piece, intricately formed to resemble a Queen’s crown, adorned with five massive rubies. It was as close to a real crown as I could muster, to show my devotion to Amanda.

Kiya screeched so loudly I had to cover my ears. She rushed over to Amanda and fawned over the ring. She was ecstatic, and gushed over it, and her.

“Hold on.” She paused after a few minutes. “Did you say yes?” She looked to Amanda with innocent apprehension.

Amanda met my eyes. She began to well with tears once more, and her light mascara ran down her face.

“Yes, but . . I didn’t need a ring-“ She burst into tears.

Kiya ran to give her a hug. “You deserve it, Amanda. It’s even better than I imagined.” She squeezed and Amanda hugged her back.

“Now I-“ Kiya picked up the papers and briefcase she had dropped on the floor. “Am going to figure this out myself, so you-“ She looked at Amanda and I, and raised her eyebrows up and down suggestively. “Can have some alone time.”

She hopped up and down excitedly, then quickly left the room.

Kiya closed the door to Mark’s room, and Alexis was waiting outside.

“How’s Amanda doing?” Alexis asked somberly.

She jumped up and down with excitement. “Mark is awake! He finally got to propose!”

Alexis clapped her hand over her mouth. “Are you serious?”

Kiya nodded. “Now I have to get to work, but if you wanna help them out-“ She nodded towards the door. “Guard the door so they can make up for lost time.”

Kiya left Alexis with her ear at the door, straining to hear the two inside.

When Kiya left the room, Amanda hurriedly shoved the ring on her finger.

I got the right size!

She wiped her face with her other hand, then peeled down her leggings and underwear, and nearly leapt onto the hospital bed. She threw the blanket back, and lifted up my gown to see my already rock hard cock. She straddled my hips and aggressively grinded against my cock, her pussy getting wetter with every second. She took my head in her hands as I placed mine on her hips, helping her move back and forth on me.

“I need you again Mark. I need to feel it.” Her face was crazed, her red-tinted black hair disheveled, and her bangs framed desperate makeup-smeared eyes. She was my universe. “I need you inside me.”

“Fuck me Mommy. Please.” I whispered, then craned my head towards her. She kissed me hard, her tongue plunged down my throat as the tip of my head found her entrance.

She slammed herself down onto me in one motion, and I truly felt alive again. I gasped in her mouth, and she gyrated her hips back and forth on my lap. My cock had been deprived for five weeks and was leaking precum like a faucet. She lifted her ass up and down on me, fucking my cock like a wild animal. After several minutes of intense pleasure, her moans grew louder, and more desperate.

She grabbed my hair, and shoved my head up so her t-shirt covered breasts fell in my face. Under them, I watched as she used her other hand to rapidly rub her clit.

“Uhhh- uhhhh- Marrrkkk-“ She whimpered as her walls squeezed around me.

I watched intently, my own orgasm boiling as I knew she was about to blow. I thrusted my hips upward, trying to get deeper inside her.

“Mommy, cum for me Mommy, please cum for me oh my god.” I said.

“Fuck! Oh fuck! Baby I’m- Uuughhhhhh-“ She moaned as she reached climax. I felt her juices flow into my lap and watched as she squirted on my cock.

“Mommy I love your fucking squirt- oh- FUCK-“ I groaned as I came inside her, forcing all of my pent up cum inside my Mommy’s pussy. I watched as translucent liquid that pooled on me became a bright white, my cum overburderding her pussy and exploding back out on to me and spilling over onto the bed.

The hospital room door opened. I jerked my head to the side to see who had entered. Alexis quietly slipped inside the room holding an arm full of towels, wearing baby blue scrubs.

“Hi.” She whispered, her face red. “I’m so glad you’re awake, Mark.”

“Hey-“ I said, surprised to see her.

Amanda raised her head to look at her. “Did you want to clean me up, sweetie?”

Alexis nodded shyly. “Yes, Ma’am.”

Whoa. I guess they’ve been getting along since I’ve been gone.

Amanda lovingly stroked my chest. “God I’ve missed you.” She kissed me, then lifted herself off, covering her pussy with her hand.

Alexis walked over to the bed, handed a towel to Amanda, and put the rest at the foot of the bed. Amanda draped the towel over my stomach, and spun perpendicular to me, laying on my stomach as Alexis dropped the rail of the bed. Amanda let her legs hang off the side, and Alexis dropped to her knees before her.

Alexis positioned her head between Amanda’s legs, and Amanda pulled her hand away. Alexis devoured her, greedily lapping my cum from her pussy as she moaned.

“Good girl. Eat Mark’s cum. You missed his cum, didn’t you baby?” She cooed. “It’s so much, isn’t it? You can eat all of it, sweetie.”

Alexis nodded between her thighs. After a minute, Amanda squeezed her thighs around the her head as she came, moaning softly. She released her after, and Alexis came up for air, her face flushed with lust.

“Can I clean Mark, too?” She asked shyly.

Amanda nodded, and gingerly hopped off the bed.

Alexis leaned over the bed at my waist and eagerly licked my cock, loudly slurping the remainder of my cum, and sucking up Amanda’s squirt. I closed my eyes and moaned as her mouth traveled over me.

“You are such a slut.” I exclaimed in disbelief.

She expertly cleaned me up, and after she was done, Amanda wiped me with a towel. She had put her leggings back on, then climbed back into bed with me. Alexis, now finished, made for the door.

“Thank you, Ma’am. Mark, I’ll come back after my shift is over.” She whispered, winked, then left the room.

“What was that about?” I asked, bewildered.

“Just giving her what she needs.” Amanda slyly replied.

“She needed . . My cum?”

Amanda looked down to her lap, where she held my hand with both of hers. “Have you ever wondered why it seems like every woman you talk to is attracted to you?”

“Um, well, I never really questioned it.” I admitted. “It is kinda weird, though.”

“Do you remember my ownership ritual?” She asked, looking into my eyes.

“Of course. How could I forget?”

“That ritual has a consequence.” She explained. “The side effect is that you exude your pheromones at a much higher capacity, making you nearly irresistible to women.”

“Seriously?” I questioned.

“Yes. It’s so powerful, in fact, that while I was here with you, I had to stop not only Miranda, but also Kiya’s friends from raping you.”

“What?” My cock stirred.

That’s really hot, actually.

Amanda nodded. “Miranda tried once, and the girls tried a few times. Mindy, in particular, tried once a week. You’ll need to pay her special attention when you get out of here.” She advised.

I nodded in amazement.

“Alexis was the only one who didn’t try. She’s been extremely helpful through all of this. She and Kiya are friends now.”

“Oh.” I took in the knowledge. “I’m gonna have to take the supplements full time, huh?”

“If you want to survive, yes.” She smiled.

I’ll survive. I’ll live.

“You’re okay with all this? All these women?”

“Being bisexual, I thought it to be of my benefit as well.” She paused. “I’ll admit, when you started seeing Kiya, I became insecure.” She paused. “But I love you, you love me, and I know-“ She curled into my side, and laid her head on my shoulder. I rested mine on top of hers, breathing in her scent.

“That you’ll always come back to me.”

We sat on the bed holding each other. “I guess I’ll have to go back to work soon.” I sighed.

“Not necessarily.” Amanda quipped.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You’re going to be my husband. I make more than enough money, Kiya will make plenty of money soon. We can live in the house together, and you won’t have to work, if you don’t want to.”

“You mean . . I could be . . A trophy husband?” I asked slowly.

Amanda grinned and nodded. “That’s the perfect term for it.”

“I just gotta . .” I flexed my bicep in front of her. “Keep it tight, huh?”

Her laugh was golden, and her touch magic as she put her hand on my muscle. “I don’t mind either way, darling.”

I shook my head. “No, I’m gonna keep it tight.” I looked down and paused. “I’m gonna be . . Like, a sex athlete.”

Amanda burst out laughing and I grinned at her stupidly.

“You’ll need a new car, baby.”

I thought for a moment. “I think I’ll just get an older truck. So I can get stuff done around the house, y’know?”

“You don’t want a brand new one?” She asked, and grabbed my hand.

“No. I mean, I’ll use it, so it’ll get beat up. Anyways, I don’t have anything to compensate for.” I replied.

She trailed her hand down my chest, to my lap, and palmed my cock gently. “You are right about that. Although, I thought you would want another sports car.”

“I do want a Viper someday.” I said, my eyes at the ceiling imagining it. “But that’s too much right now.”

Amanda smiled and nodded. “One day, baby. One day.”

“How did you stay so calm?” Amanda suddenly asked. “During the attack?”

I shrugged. “I’ve always been able to shut out the adrenaline and react. It’s not dissimilar to what happened with my father . . .”

—TRIGGER WARNING—

I was walking home from work. It was dark, around ten-o-clock at night. It was my winter break from high school, but I didn’t get to hang out or party. At sixteen years old, I didn’t have fun, I had to work in a fast food kitchen. I had bought a joint from my coworker, and taken a few sips of beer from the guy who hangs out at night in the neighborhood park. I lit up as I walked the mile through the neighborhood back to my house, and the weed kept me warm.

I finished the joint as I got to the house, snuffed it out, and went inside. I had a pretty good buzz going. As soon as I opened the door, I heard yelling. Screaming, really.

They’re at it again.

I walked in to the kitchen and saw my mother and father arguing. It was bad this time. I saw a half empty bottle of Crown on the counter, the plastic on the neck showing it was new.

Mom hates Crown. Dad must be shitfaced.

The shouting was steadily growing louder. Unbearable. Deafening.

I watched in slow motion as my father grabbed my mother by the throat, squeezed, and lifted her off the ground. Her feet kicked helplessly in the air as she struggled to breath.

He’s- it’s- you’re the man, now. Defend the house. Defend your mom. He’s the enemy, now.

How? How do I fight that?

Distract him. Just buy her time.

MOVE. ACT.

I had already kicked off my shoes, and my socks slipped along the tile as I ran towards them. I jumped onto his back, wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed. If I could make him pass out with a headlock, it would be over. He dropped my mother to the floor, then leapt backwards, shoving me into the fridge. The refrigerator skirted along the floor several inches from the force of the impact, and my lungs emptied from the blow. My arms weakened, and he grabbed one, pulled me over his shoulder and slammed me into the tile floor.

My head had hit the ground, but I was still awake. I struggled to breath, gasping, willing my lungs to open. Air would not bless me.

My eyes refocused, and I saw the hate in his. He was about to come upon me once more.

Move. Defensive position.

I rolled onto my stomach, and forced myself to my hands and knees: the wrestling defensive position I had become so accustomed to, because of Kanye. He landed on my back, and wrought his right fist down onto my head. Hit.

My shoulder. Hit.

My temple. Hit.

I saw his left hand supporting himself on the floor. I pulled it to my mouth and bit down with all my force. It came away with a large purple oval dripping with blood. He had screamed in pain. I hadn’t even realized.

The next blow connected with my jaw, and I was nearly knocked unconscious. A black vignette clouded my vision, and I saw red spatters on the tile. It dripped from my mouth.

My jaw hurts so much.

Hit.

I’m still in my uniform.

Hit.

This is the first real fight you’ve ever had.

The only one you’ll ever have.

Hit.

If he kills you, you’ll get to die, and he’ll go away for murder. He won’t touch Mom ever again.

Hit.

“Kill me. JUST FUCKING KILL ME!” I screamed.

No hit. He hesitated. I heard his panting breath, felt his weight on me. Then he stood up. He shuffled across the floor, and I heard his footsteps thud as he walked up the stairs.

“Get out.” I croaked to my mother.

She was paralyzed, curled into the kitchen corner cabinets.

I scrambled to my feet, ran to her side and yanked her up. I pushed her out the front door and into the yard. I collapsed onto my knees as the police arrived.

The neighbors must’ve heard.

I don’t have my shoes.

I’m still in my uniform.

I entered the bathroom, shut the door, then locked it. I had already downed four energy drinks, but I was still numb. I fumbled into my uniform pants and grabbed two caffeine pills. I put them on the sink, pulled out my knife, and crushed them into powder with the hilt. I pulled out the half straw in my pocket, formed two lines, and snorted the caffeine.

It sent fire through my nose. I stared at myself in the mirror. I switched to a different fast food place after I turned seventeen.

“You can’t even afford real drugs you fucking loser.” I whispered to myself, tears welled in my eyes.

Still numb. Do it. You’ve been waiting all day for it.

I flicked open the knife, and cleaned it using soap and water. I set it on the sink gingerly, then pulled down my work pants. On my left thigh was a large bandage. It was soaked with dried blood. I peeled it away and threw it in the trash next to the toilet, where I sat down. Three large, parallel cuts. One was fresh, two were healing. I picked up the knife, and used the tip to pick at and pull away the scab that was healed over the most. The pain was sharp as it ripped away.

I took a deep breath, grit my teeth, and set the knife into the wound. I pressed downward, hard. My knife was dull, so I needed to use considerable force. I slid outward and felt my flesh tearing. I lashed my tongue behind my teeth as the pain surged through me. It was exquisite. My heart raced as it sunk deeper and deeper. Blood pooled along the edge of the blade and collected in the gash. Tears fell on my leg, and the salt stung sweetly.

I was startled by a heavy knocking on the door.

“Hurry up Mark, we just got a ton of orders.” My coworker shouted.

“Yeah!” I replied. “Okay!”

I set the knife back on the sink. I grabbed a handful of toilet paper and folded it neatly, placing the thick square on top of my cuts. I pulled a wad of duct tape out of my pocket, and placed it over the paper, securing it to my thigh. I pulled up my pants, then flushed the toilet. It was empty, but my coworkers expected me to have used it. I cleaned the blade of my knife and put everything back in my pocket, before washing my hands and cleaning the sink.

I felt better. The ache in my thigh felt amazing every time I moved it. I didn’t feel as numb. I felt better. For now.

Alexis and I had split up shortly after graduation. I had started dating immediately, and was on a double date with a beautiful girl, and her friend and boyfriend. We were at a nice coffee shop getting non-alcoholic drinks after a night out, and I rushed into the bathroom, to the toilet stall.

The bathroom was clear of people, and I dropped to my knees in front of the toilet. I shoved my fingers down my throat. I had taken far too many pills, my stomach was cramping, and I was not doing well. I felt like I was going to pass out. I needed to expunge the drugs. I dug into my throat, doing what I knew to do when I had swallowed too much.

Nothing came up. Nothing. I hurled and gagged as I forced my fingers down for several minutes, but I hadn’t eaten anything in nearly two days. Nothing.

I was going to have to ride it out. I was going to put on my straight face, act emotionless, and power through. I would have to come up with a good excuse as to why I couldn’t get hard later.

I got up from the stall, went to the sink, and washed my hands. I cupped my hands under the running water and greedily drank, slurping it down.

Just dilute it. Chugging water is all you can do.

I drank and drank for several minutes, thankful no one had come into the bathroom to find me. After I shut the water off, I looked at myself in the mirror.

Pathetic.

We sat in my bed. I was completely flaccid while I stared at her naked body.

“It’s okay, really. I know you had a rough day.” She said, sweetly.

You’re eighteen and can’t get an erection with a literal dimepiece woman. Fucking pathetic.

I stood before the office building in my Goodwill special suit. Through sheer willpower alone, I have pulled myself out of my tailspin.

You’re clean. This is a fresh start. No pills, no weed, no cuts. You even tattooed stitches over your leg scars. You’re clean. Everything is easier to do sober, I promise.

I walked inside to meet the director, who I had spoken with on the phone. I was intimidated from her voice alone.

I saw the man. The gun. I felt the punch. The shot.

I saw myself. My hands around my throat. “Kill me.” He says.

—END OF TRIGGER WARNING—

I was hyperventilating. “Oh fuck. No- I-“ I could barely speak. I was sitting on the hospital bed with Amanda. “My chest- I’m drowning- I can’t breathe-“ My breaths were heavy and rapid, back to back.

“Please- No- Please- I don’t- want to die- not anymore-“

I clung to Amanda’s arm. My hands and face were numb. I was gulping down air, but I couldn’t breathe.

Amanda clutched my head to her chest. I heard her heartbeat, and her voice. “Listen to my voice. It’s okay. You’re okay. We’re okay.” She whispered.

“You’re alive. I’m alive. You’re here with me. You’re here with Mommy.”

My shuddering breaths slowed as I listened to her. Slowly in, slowly out.

In. Out.

“Fuck.” Tears streamed down my face.

Alexis opened the door and walked in wearing sport shorts and a t-shirt. “My shift is over.” She said softly.

Amanda nodded, then got up from the hospital bed. “She’s gonna watch you, baby. I’m gonna see what the damage is at work, then grab some real food for us.” She eyed me up and down. “I seem to have regained my appetite.”

I smiled at her. “Okay. I love you.”

“I love you too.” She picked up one of the towels and cleaned her face, then went to pick up her purse as Alexis moved towards the bed. Behind her back, Amanda turned and looked at me.

‘You need to fuck her.’ She mouthed, pointing at Alexis.

I cracked a thin smile.

If that’s not an order, I don’t know what is.

Amanda put on her shoes, then left the room with a wink. Alexis hovered at the side of the bed.

“You gonna sit down?” I asked, patting the area Amanda was just in.

She nodded, then climbed into the bed with me. She looked at me, and I realized her eyes were brimming with tears.

“I’m sorry, Mark.” She burst into tears.

I was surprised, then wrapped my arm around her and pulled her into me. “What? What are you sorry for?”

“For how I treated you!” She wailed through sobs.

I rubbed her shoulder. “It’s okay. It’s in the past. It’s okay.” I hushed her.

She cried for a moment, then sniffled as she calmed down. “It’s- everything that happened to you . .”

I nodded as she looked at me.

“You were so young. I was so young. I couldn’t- I couldn’t carry it with you.”

She took a deep breath. “I wasn’t strong enough to help you. So I was mean, and I pushed you away because I couldn’t handle it. I’m so sorry, Mark.” Her eyes welled with tears again.

I pulled her close, and hugged her tight. “No. Don’t feel guilty about that. I had unreasonable expectations thinking you could burden that with me.”

She cried into my chest. “But you almost died! And I wouldn’t have-“

I lifted her chin with my hand. “But I didn’t die. I’m right here.”

She looked deep into my eyes. I pulled her face close to mine. I could feel her breath through her parted lips. Her eyes shut halfway with desire.

Our lips met, softly, gently, as her tears wet my face. She moaned into my mouth as the tip of our tongues touched. She grabbed my gown at the chest and pulled me into her, as I wrapped my hand around her neck and pulled her into me.

She shimmied further down the bed, opened her legs and pulled me on top of her. She wrapped her legs around my hips and locked me in place.

“Please, Mark.” She whispered as our foreheads touched. “I know you’re hurt, but please.”

In response I reached down to her shorts and slid them over her ass. She unlocked her legs as I awkwardly leaned back. She lifted her legs straight up to the ceiling and pushed her shorts and and panties past her ankles, then threw them over the bed.

Still flexible.

She dropped her legs, and sat up panting with lust. She grabbed my gown and tore it over my head. She took my cock in her hands and stared at it.

“I missed you.” She said in a silly voice.

She let go, reached between her legs and pulled her hand back, showing me her stringy wetness. She moved her hand back to me and gently lubricated my cock with her cum.

“Oh fuuuuck.” I whispered.

She pumped back and forth slowly and gazed at me.

“You’re kind of sexy with your scar.” She said.

“Oh yeah?”

I fell into her as my arms hooked her legs upward. She rubbed my cock up her slit, then down into her entrance.

“Goooooodddd-“ She moaned as I penetrated her.

She grabbed my arms, rubbed up to my shoulders, then over to my back. I pushed deeper inside her with difficulty, and she whimpered as I stretched her.

“You are so fucking tight.” I groaned.

“I’m smaller than you remember.” She whispered in my ear. “You’re bigger than I remember.” She grunted as I filled her all the way with a thump.

I slowly pulled out, the forced myself back inside her.

“Mark- oh my god-“ She cried softly as I expanded her walls with my cock.

“Lexi- I-“ I couldn’t speak, so I dropped my face to hers and kissed her fiercely.

Her walls were like a vice on my cock, and she alternated squeezing and pushing as I fucked her deeply, forcing me to do nothing but moan into her embrace. She whimpered back into me as her first orgasm took her over. Feeling her clenching and cumming nearly sent me overboard, and I broke the kiss when she finished.

I grabbed her legs and pulled them together, her calves squeezing my neck.

“Mark- are you sure- you’re still hurt.” She said cautiously.

I nodded. “I’m gonna cum, and I’m gonna cum in you the way you want it.”

She shivered at my words, and I folded her in half. I pressed my forehead to hers, supported my weight with my arms, and braced my toes into the mattress, lifting my knees off the bed. I slammed my cock into her over and over.

“I’m- I’m- Mark- I’m- cum- ming-“ She wailed in the rhythm I created.

“Ugh- ugh- fuck- Lexi- fuck-“ I grunted with exertion, my hips colliding with her ass.

There’s no way they can’t hear us out there.

“Fuck- yes- I’m- “ I moaned, and erupted inside her.

Her small pussy could only take two loads before it overflowed, my cum rushing out of her, and splattering with every thrust I made. With one final push, I slammed all my weight into her, and she squealed as she came a third time, filled with cock and cum.

As we both settled down, she rubbed her feet together behind my neck. “I can’t believe I ever let you go.” She whispered.

“I’m still here.” I said. “We both just . . Had to deal with some things.”

I sat back on my knees, letting her lay back in the bed as she unfolded and dropped her legs to my sides.

“Jesus fucking Christ.” I exhaled. “God I forgot how good we are at that.”

“I haven’t.” Alexis said seductively. “I still think about you.”

“You fingerblast yourself thinking about that tiny emo boy?” I asked jokingly.

“Well.” She looked me up and down. “Not anymore.” She said dreamily.

Alexis and I laid together in the hospital bed, cuddled up, and watched the small wall-mounted television. I grabbed the remote and hit mute.

“Y’know what’s messed up?” I asked her.

“What?” She responded gently.

“When I began cutting, I started on my hand. Three little lines.” I explained. “Do you know why I moved to my leg?”

“Why?” She asked, hesitantly.

I don’t think she ever knew I cut myself.

“Someone noticed. Only one person noticed.” I admitted. “I didn’t want attention, I wanted the pain. The pain was better than being numb.”

“Who noticed?”

“Kanye. He asked where the cuts were from, I told him they were from a machine at work.” I explained. “He asked me . . ‘What kind of machine makes three perfect cuts like that?’ I just said it was an onion slicer, or something.”

Alexis was silent. She picked up the hand I had moved when speaking about it, and looked until she found three faded scars beneath my thumb.

“I’m sorry I didn’t notice.” She whispered.

“It’s okay. No one did. Except my bully. Why is it that the only one who noticed was my bully?”

She didn’t have an answer.

I sighed deeply, and put my arms behind my head. “Either I was really good at hiding it, or no one really gave shit.”

“I noticed you almost dropped out of school.” She said quietly.

I nodded. “Yeah. I didn’t care. Remember, I would leave on lunch break and smoke cigarettes at the railroad tracks.”

She laughed. “Oh my god. Do you . . Do you remember . .”

I looked, her face was cherry red. I grinned.

“When you wore that red plaid skirt and fishnets, and I spanked you on the tracks?”

She nodded, embarrassed. “I still have that outfit.”

My cock got hard hearing what she said. “You were such a whore back then.” I laughed.

“Well look who’s talking now!” She said, jokingly offended.

Amanda returned with Mexican takeout food. I hadn’t realized how starving I was, waking up after five weeks and pleasing two women.

“This sure beats hospital food.” Amanda said, with her mouth full.

I beamed at her.

Simply perfection.

—