September was halfway through and her birthday was coming closer. I still hadn't bought her anything. I wanted to buy her a necklace, but I couldn't find one to fit her gentle but strong personality. Then I had an idea. What if the necklace has an animal on it? I was excited, thinking of all the possibilities. I didn't even hear her calling me until what must have been the third time. 

"Ehh, Paul?" She waved her hand in front of my face, grinning. "You there?"

"Yes, yes, sorry," I laughed. "Just thinking about something. What is it, Love?"

"It's..uh it's noon," She told me hesitantly. She hated telling me to do things. It was time to clean up her shoulder.

"Oh, I lost track of time," I stood up and walked to the cabinet, removing two washcloths once again. I helped her onto the couch and sat beside her. I tried to be gentle with her shoulder, but pain seemed to be inevitable. She tried to hide it, but I knew it hurt. She'd hold her breath or sometimes chew on her knuckles, which I'd never seen someone do before. I suppose it would be distracting...with..more pain? Regardless, it seemed to work. And her shoulder did look a bit better.

I kind of liked her. She was very polite, though that might have been because of the difference between living with that... that abusive monster... and staying with me. I tried to make her feel safe.

~~~

I was going to the jeweller's shop down the street, but I couldn't bring Linda with me, or else she might see.

"I'm going out, will you be okay here by yourself?" No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop worrying about her.

"Of course, and I'm not alone, Martha's here," She patted Martha's fluffy head and smiled.

"Okay, just remember to close the blinds and lock the doors and all the windows and--"

"Paul," she smiled reassuringly. "I'll be alright,"

"Okay," I closed the blinds anyway, then hastily made my way down the street. It was windy, but I didn't care. I hoped I found something she might like.