Brian sat Sway down on the toilet lid, having to practically prop him against his hip to keep him upright. Sway’s forehead was hot and damp but not burning. Brian helped him lean towards the sink and brush his teeth then swish around a capful of the old-school, brown Listerine. He let Sway catch his breath before he helped him into the full tub. The water rose to his neck and the sigh of bliss Sway let out made Brian smile. He got down on his knees, retrieved the clean rag and soap Tweetie had placed on the sink for him and got on his job. He raised Sway’s weak limbs and cleaned them with the vanilla-scented body wash, taking his time so Sway could enjoy the relaxing bath. He took another cloth and began to wash Sway’s face.
He gripped his bristly chin between his fingers and turned Sway’s head to face him. His boyfriend was practically asleep, the virus working its way through his body, zapping his energy. Every few moments Sway’s lids would crack, and Brian would get glimpses of tired brown eyes. He cupped Sway’s cheek gently and got all the dead skin off his lips. When he was good and clean, Brian stood, got the towel from the hook and draped it over his arm. It took some careful maneuvering, handling a slippery, wet Sway but Brian managed to get him mostly dry and into his clean bathrobe. Tweetie should be done in his room by now. Brian bent and scooped him up again. Sway clung to his neck even in his sleep. Brian’s pride soared. He was finally able to care for Sway.
As soon as Brian stepped out of the bathroom, he could already tell Sway’s room had been cleaned. Maybe his nurse didn’t know it, but he had the whole apartment ripe, not just his bedroom. No wonder Tweetie and Stephanie were so stressed. Brian laid Sway on fresh linen and pulled the covers up. He was fast asleep again in seconds. Brian looked around, noting how fast Tweetie could work. They’d only been in the bathroom an hour. Sway’s room smelled disinfected and Pine Sol fresh. Brian inched Sway’s little humidifier closer to his bed and turned off the lamp on the nightstand. It plunged Sway’s room into darkness, but Brian could see well enough with the small light filtering under the door from the hall. He removed his .45, checked the safety, then tucked it into the top drawer of Sway’s desk. Next, he bent down to unstrap his blade, when he heard a knock on the front door. Brian checked his watch. Who the fuck?
He was out of Sway’s room in seconds, but Tweetie was already at the door and yelling ‘who is it’ while turning the knob, before he could stop her. Who’s coming to this house this late? The ladies appeared too shocked to be expecting anyone. When Brian turned the corner, and looked over Tweetie’s head he saw who the fuck it was.
“Good evening. I’m Dr. James Dominick. I’m the head of Sw—Nurse Hamilton’s, department. I’m so sorry about the hour, but I’m just getting off and wanted to see if he was getting better. I didn’t know he lived with anyone. I brought him some Chinese soup.” The man’s rich voice carried into the apartment.
Tweetie gave him the side eye but opened the door regardless, her Southern upbringing not allowing her to leave a visitor on the doorstep, certainly not one with a gift. Brian narrowed his eyes. Goddamn snake. I bet you wished he lived alone.
Dr. Dominick had a charming, smug smile on his face as he walked towards the living room. Sway’s mom was in her usual spot on the couch, and she lifted her hand when the doctor reached out to introduce himself, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Stephanie. Sway’s mom,” she murmured then cut her eyes to Brian who’d been standing at the entrance to the kitchen. His arms were folded over his chest and he made sure he stood with his feet braced apart so the conniving doctor could see the hardware strapped to his leg.
Dr. Dominick stopped in his tracks and his smile fell from his lips like dead weight. He tilted his head and slowly made his way towards Brian. “Evening. Forgive the intrusion. I’m James Dominick.” The man held his hand out, but Brian didn’t move his arms, instead he stared down the asshole who’d been inappropriate with his boyfriend.
“Dr. Dominick. This is Brian King. He’s my son’s partner,” Sway’s mom introduced him, her angelic voice taking on an edge of satisfaction when she said that last sentence.
“Oh.” Dr. Dominick jerked as if he’d been chopped in the throat. His mouth opened and closed, he smiled awkwardly then opened his mouth again. “I. No. Um, it’s nice to meet you. I didn’t know Sway had a partner. He’s been so committed to work.”
No one said anything else to encourage conversation or offered him a seat, a drink. Nothing. Because the doctor wasn’t welcome. The way Sway’s mom watched Brian, he easily read her transparent thoughts. Competition. But Brian wasn’t worried.
“Sway is an amazing nurse.” Tweetie finally broke the awkward silence.
“Yes, he is. And, I want to ensure he’s okay. I’m just going to give him a very brief exam. I have my bag in the car.” The doctor turned to go to the door, but Sway’s mom stopped him, translating Brian’s order.
“That won’t be necessary.”
Dr. Dominick stared at her quizzically, but she shrugged one bony shoulder and pointed at Brian. He stepped forward, making the doctor shrink back, even though he wasn’t close to him. He signed in jolting movements, his anger showing. Stephanie even added a little gusto in her voice to help him out.
“He’s not having any visitors. His doctor… Cayson Chauncey… has already examined him.” Brian stepped forward again. He extracted the small, brown paper bag from Tweetie’s hands and thrust it at the doctor’s chest. Take your fuckin’ bullshit soup. The doctor clutched the bag, surprised at being treated in such a manner. His pompous ass not sure what to do about not getting his way.
Brian walked behind the doctor until he was out the door. He closed it behind him and stood guard. He wasn’t going back inside until he saw taillights.
“I think you misunderstood my intentions here tonight. I’m Sway’s superior, I’m also a physician. He’s sick. I just want to check—”
“Your serpentine ways insult me,” Brian finally spoke, baring his teeth as he came down off the porch. Dr. Dominick stumbled before he caught himself. Brian took in the doctor’s overly-polished appearance, his boring loafers and expensive college class ring, and sneered. He leaned in and spoke from a place of fierceness. Where he kept the people he protected, those he cared about. Brian’s voice was terrifying, “Make this your last house call.”
The doctor swallowed loud enough for him to hear and turned to hurry to his Mercedes S-Class.
This just got interesting. He had the fear of God to put into someone. Brian smirked. He and his Delta team used to say that before they wrecked shop. Brian rubbed his hand over his chest and looked towards the dark sky. He inhaled and accepted the peace. It was the first time he’d thought of his team and didn’t feel pain, remorse… or devastating guilt.