Me
He won’t stop crying.
I watched the screen, hoping Rissa would call back. When she didn’t respond, I texted Bliss:
Me
Help!
Bliss was currently on a flight back to LA for an event, and I prayed she had signed up for the free internet on the flight so she could give me some pointers.
Nothing from Bliss, so I dialed Ma. No answer. Tyn didn’t pick up either. Then, Rissa sent a text back stating she was in a meeting. Sighing, I called Dallas. Straight to voicemail. Demi? Ondo not disturb. Finally, I scrolled to the person who took pleasure in making me feel like shit for asking stupid-ass questions.
My thumb hovered over the name.
Maybe I should just take him to the hospital.
Another moment passed while I considered my options.
Fuckit.
Finally, I pressed the button. It didn’t take long for Blake to answer.
“Hey,” she said, her voice distant, like she was not standing near the phone. “Hold on.” Seconds later, she sighed. “Okay, what’s up?”
I paced the floor, checking on Ezra every few seconds while I explained what was going on to my sister. “He won’t stop crying,” I said as panic welled up inside. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Asa, it’s okay,” she assured me.
Frowning, I pulled back and checked the name. Usually, Blake led with sarcasm, but she was calm. Nice, not nasty.
“Tell me what to do,” I begged.
Blake switched to a video call, and I breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of her. I might talk my shit about her, and she absolutely got on my last nerve, but seeing her face made everything better.
Smiling, she asked, “Does he have a fever?”
Rushing over to him, I pressed the back of my hand against his forehead, then his neck. He felt warm but didn’t feel hot. “He might.”
“Do you have a thermometer?”
“Gemma had one of those old school joints. A glass one.”
“Good. You’re going to need to take his temperature rectally.”
I froze, staring at the contraption. “I have to stick this in his ass?”
Giggling, she nodded. “Don’t worry, it’s easy.”
“Do I need lubricant?”
“Yes. Just a little Vaseline on the tip.”
I gulped as dread replaced fear. My eyes drifted from my sister to the baby. “What if I hurt him?”
“You won’t. Don’t push it all the way in there. Just a half an inch should be fine.”
“I don’t have a tape measure, B.” I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath. “I just know I don’t want no shit in my ass.”
