Free Magic in Our Hearts by Jeanne Mccann

hot soup for an early dinner. Then you and I are going to discuss our schedule.” 
    Brett’s eyes were at half-mast, her face pasty white, and she was ready to fall flat on her face. “I, I don’t think I can eat anything. Please could you just leave me alone today? We can discuss the schedule tomorrow.” Brett knew she would feel better tomorrow when she got some more Scotch into her system. A steady dose of alcohol made life manageable. She’d been drinking every day for almost a year.
    Taylor didn’t miss the sweat that beaded up on Brett’s face or the swaying of her body. “Honey, come on and let’s get you into bed for now. Helen, could you bring a bowl of soup in here?”
    Brett was too tired and too drunk to do anything but let Taylor lead her to the fresh bed. Clean sheets. Brett couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken a shower and climbed into a clean bed. She meekly allowed Taylor to cover her up and plump up her pillow so she was sitting up. She hadn’t even noticed that Fran and Helen left the room. Taylor’s voice was the only thing that Brett was listening to. She had gone to sleep many a night with the memories of Taylor’s sexy voice in her head.
    “Taylor, here you go. Its chicken noodle with vegetables, Brett’s favorite.” Helen placed a tray on top of the table next to Brett’s bed. Taylor pulled a chair over next to the bed and placed a towel over Brett’s lap.
    Brett turned, and her eyes were clouded with pain as she watched Taylor’s every move. She didn’t say a word, as Helen left the two women alone, closing the door behind her. Taylor slowly began to feed Brett while they stared at one another but remained silent. Taylor wanted so badly to slip her arms around Brett and tell her everything would be okay, but it wouldn’t be. Brett wanted more than anything to quench the small ember of hope that was igniting in her heart. She couldn’t stop her feelings for Taylor anymore than she could stop breathing. It had always been that way with Taylor. She had loved her from the very first moment she had looked into her blue eyes. Brett had been committed to her from that first evening, but fate and her own actions had been her downfall. Lack of trust had destroyed the only relationship Brett had ever wanted.
    Now, Taylor was sitting within inches of her, and Brett felt she was no longer worth being with for so many reasons.
    Taylor tried to keep her heart from pounding as she slowly fed Brett, her hand trembling around the spoon. She had never stopped loving the woman who looked up at her with such vulnerable eyes. It would take all of her skills as a therapist to help Brett regain her physical strength, but it would take a miracle to heal her badly wounded heart. 
    It took Brett almost thirty minutes to finish her soup and by that time Brett’s eyes were again at half-mast, as she struggled to stay awake.
    “Honey, I want you to close your eyes and get some sleep. You look exhausted. We’ll talk tomorrow after you get up.”
    “You’re going to stay?”
    “Yes, and I’m going to stay for as long as it takes.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you need me, and I need to be here.” Brett didn’t say another word as she slid into sleep. Her last view was of Taylor sitting next to her bed. Taylor stayed until she knew Brett was out and then bent over and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
    “You’re going to be okay, honey. I’m not going to let you be anything but okay.” Taylor picked up the tray of empty dishes, turned out the light and quietly left Brett’s room.
    “Is she asleep?” Helen inquired as Taylor placed the tray on the kitchen counter.
    “Yes, she’s exhausted and has a lot of alcohol in her system. She needs to sleep it off.”
    “I’m so glad you’re here for Brett.”
    “So am I Helen. She needs us to help her heal.”
    “Just tell me what to do.”
    “I’ll keep you advised every step of the way. Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’m going to