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I stretched and let out a small sound to let them know I was waking up. When I opened my eyes, I nearly screamed because my mother was right in my face.
“Weston, how are you feeling?”
Looking past my mother, I saw Clare. She mouthed, “Weston?” at me before covering her smile with her hand.
“I’m feeling fine,” I said as I sat up.
Cupping my face, Mom studied me before putting her cheek to my forehead. “Clare’s right. Your fever is broken. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you. You texted me you were feeling better. Rory was the one who told me Clare was here taking care of you.”
My gaze moved back to Clare who was folding a blanket she had been using earlier when she was reading a book.
“Clare kept me fed.”
“She is my new favorite person for taking care of my boy.”
I laughed. “I’m not a boy.”
“You will always be my boy, young man.” Clare just smiled over at me. While mom went on and on about Thanksgiving and everything I missed, I watched Clare straightening everything up. She made her way into the guest bathroom and came out with a small bag and put it in the overnight bag she had brought back with her when she went to her place.
Knowing she was going to be leaving left me with a weird emptiness in my chest.
“I’m going to go ahead and head on out. There is a chicken spaghetti casserole in the refrigerator. All you need to do is heat it up, Wes.”
Standing, I walked toward Clare who was standing near the front door. “You don’t have to leave.”
She smiled and I nearly stumbled. Mom thought it was from being sick, but that had nothing to do with it. It was from the woman standing in front of me. Her light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, no makeup on, and a smile that made my heart feel like it was tripping over itself. She was the reason I had lost my balance. Everything about Clare seemed to make me off balance.
“Your fever broke, and you don’t need me here watching over you.”
But I want you here.
“Um, thank you, Clare. For everything.”
“You’re welcome. Now I expect you to be there for me if I get sick.”
I nodded. “I will be.”
Something moved across her face, but it was gone before I could read it. She turned to my mother. “It was so good seeing you again, Jennifer. I’ll leave you to take careof our patient.”
My mother pulled Clare in for a hug and whispered something into her ear. Clare drew back and grinned before turning her attention on me.
“If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Do you need a ride home?” I asked.
“No, I called an Uber.”
Turning to open the door, I found myself calling out her name. “Clare?”
She glanced back. “Yeah?”
“Thanks again.”
With a wave, she replied, “Sure thing. Bye!”
“Bye, sweetheart,” Mom said as she walked out into the hallway. “Thank you again, Clare!”
I turned and walked back over to the couch and sat down. I stared at the chair across from me and realized that the last two days had been miserable and wonderful all at the same time.
