The phone rang twice before she picked up. “Not dead in a ditch,” I said when it connected.
“I don’t like it when you’re away from home this long and don’t keep in touch.”
“I know. What are you going to do when I move out?”
“Don’t talk like that.”
“Mom. I’m twenty-four. It’s going to happen.” It should have happened already. “I can’t live at home forever.”
“You’ll catch your death being out in all that weather.”
I sighed. She would not entertain that line of conversation. “Colds and flus are caused by bacteria, not standing in the rain.”
“Standing in the rain for long periods of time lowers your body temperature, which can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to viruses.”
“Touché.”
“I bet you aren’t sleeping properly either.”
I considered the minimal hours I’d managed to grab the previous night, cringed, and lied. “Full eight hours.”
“Even after talking to your mother on the phone half the night?”
“Oops. I forgot about that. Well, I’m staying warm and dry. I brought a raincoat.”
“You didn’t bring your vitamins.”
“I bought some at the pharmacy when I got here.” Another lie.
“Have you been checking your temperature regularly?”
“No, Mom, I’m fine. Fit as a fiddle.”
“Are you coughing or sniffling?”
“Nope. Strong lungs.”
“How’s your throat? A sore throat is the first sign of a cold.”
“I’m feeling great. Drinking plenty of fluids, too. Lemon tea with honey to be safe.”
“Good.” She seemed to have let the leukemia drama go. It wasn’t serving her purpose. Ignoring or getting angry didn’t always work. It usually left me feeling guilty, but Stella could be suffocating when she spiraled.
“I should be back in a couple of days.”
“I’ll make soup.”
I tipped my head back against the concrete wall and closed my eyes on a sigh. “I won’t eat it.”
“Yes, you will.”
“Hey, Mom?”
“Yeah, sweetie.”
“Why don’t you call Dr. Jacob and see if he can fit you in?”
Silence, then, “Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary.”
