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“She volunteered, and trust me, her soup is so good, it could change lives.”
She laughs, which sends her into a coughing fit, making me feel bad for trying to cheer her up.
“You need me to come home?”
She sighs. “Legend, I’m okay. I’ll see you when you get home tonight.”
“Do you need me to stop and pick anything up?”
“I don’t think so. You’ve been stockpiling things you think I might need for the past two weeks.”
She’s not wrong. “Well, if you think of something, call or text, and I’ll bring it home.”
“Thanks, babe.”
“Love you, Mo.”
“I love you too.”
Damn, this day can’t be over fast enough.
My last client of the day isn’t even finished paying, and I’m out the door. I’m anxious to get home to check on Monroe. It’s just before five when I’m pulling into the garage. The house is quiet as I head toward our room. I can hear the shower running. That’s a good sign that she felt strong enough to get out of bed and shower. Stepping into our room, I debate on stripping down to shower with her, but I know she’s not feeling well. I’ll just keep her company until she’s done. Then I’ll help her dry off and put her back in bed or carry her out to the couch until Mom gets here with dinner.
When I push open the bathroom door, my heart stalls in my chest. “Monroe!” I call out to her as I drop to my knees. She’s lying on the floor, naked. The shower is running, the steam from the hot spray filling the room. That’s a good sign the water is still hot, so she couldn’t have been lying here long.
“Baby?” I touch her forehead, and she’s clammy and burning up. I don’t know if that’s from the steam in the room or if she’s running a fever. Bending my ear to her mouth, I can hear that she’s breathing, but it’s a very shallow breath.
“Fuck.” I scramble to pull my phone from my pocket and dial 911. “My wife,” I say as soon as they pick up, not letting them start their spiel. “I just got home, and she’s collapsed on the bathroom floor.” Tears prick my eyes, but I fight them, not letting them fall. I need to be strong for her.
“Sir, can you tell me your address?”
I rattle off our address.
“Can you tell me if it looks like she’s taken anything?”
My eyes scan the room, even though I know she didn’t. “No. No, she’s been sick. I should have stayed home with her today.” I reach down with my free hand and grab hers, and it’s ice-cold. “H-Her hands are cold, and her fingertips are blue.”
“What about her lips?”
I glance at her lips. “Blue too.” I don’t know how I missed that. “I don’t know how her hand is cold. She was burning up when I touched her forehead. I mean, the shower is on, and the room is steamy, but I don’t think that’s why. Hurry! Please hurry. You have to help her.”
“Sir, we have an ambulance en route. Please stay on the line.”
“Monroe, baby, please wake up. Please.” I lean down and kiss her cold lips. I don’t give a fuck if I get sick. “Her color is off too. She looks almost ash-like.” I try to give the woman on the line as much information as I can.
“Sir, the ambulance is one minute out. Is your front door unlocked?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Can you go unlock it?”
“No. I can’t leave her.”
“Sir, we need to be able to get into your home to help your wife. Can you run and unlock the door for me?”
“Fuck.” I bend down and kiss Monroe’s cold lips. “I’ll be right back, baby. I promise. I’ll be right back.” This time, I can’t stop the tears as they start to fall. I scramble to my feet and race out of our bedroom and down the hall to the front door. I unlock it and swing it open, letting them know to come on in. I turn and race back to the bathroom as fast as I can, dropping to my knees. “I’m here,” I tell her, stroking her hair out of her eyes. “Wake up for me, baby.” I reach up, yanking on the end of her robe to pull it off the hook, and I lay it over her. I don’t want anyone seeing her like this, but I’m too afraid to move her to dress her.
“Sir, did you get the door unlocked? The paramedics are there.”
