Page 13 of Sweet Heart

She needs to know? Why?

Still, something in the message makes me rise from my seat and saunter off to the bathroom. My monitor is lying there as an accusation. The doctor isn’t wrong, and I know it. I do need sleep.

I sigh and let the needle penetrate my skin. I hiss softly at the contact and watch the crimson drop swell up. Five seconds later, the monitor beeps. I’m low. Well, fuck.

02:30 a.m. – Mary Mary

Need to know, huh? Sounds like you do care, Doctora. It’s a bit low. I’ll fix it.

02:30 a.m. – Katherina

Take a glucose tab with some juice. That should keep you stable until morning. Go to bed, Maria. I am serious. EN SERIO!!!

I bite my lip. Everything in me should be appalled by this commanding behavior. I am my own woman, I make my own choices, so why does it make my stomach swoop instead?

02:31 a.m. – Mary Mary

Yes, ma’am

The dots appear almost instantly. They keep bobbing for a good two minutes and then disappear again. I stare at my screen for another few minutes, but they don’t return. The message is clear. The conversation is over. But at least this time, it doesn’t feel final. I save her number and then reach for my tablets. I did say yes, ma’am, after all.

***

The daylight is almost accusatory when my eyes blink open. My muscles feel relaxed, and my limbs feel heavy. I snuggle deeper into the mattress instead of immediately flinging my legs over the edge of the bed. The usual morning buzz is absent. In an oddly good and satisfying way. I can’t remember the last time I felt so… rested.

I turn onto my side and reach for my phone. The screen lights up instantly, telling me it’s already ten past ten. Huh. Normally, I would have finished my morning walk by this time, ready for another day of work. Is this all because of that stupid tab?

I unlock my screen, and my fingers dart over it. For a moment, I hesitate but then press send anyway.

10:13 a.m. – Mary Mary

What kind of magic is this?

I am about to put my phone away when it buzzes in my hand. My breath stutters. That was fast.

10:13 a.m. – Katherina

I reckon you slept well. Your low blood sugar made your adrenaline spike. When you took the glucose, your body could let those levels drop, and your parasympathetic functions took over again.

I snort. Even over text, she is still in full doctor mode. It’s actually kind of cute. Sexy, even.

10:14 a.m. – Mary Mary

My parawhatta?

10:14 a.m. – Katherina

Parasympathetic functions. The part of you that helps you rest and digest.

10:15 a.m. – Mary Mary

Oh! Like my internal Sandman, I see...

10:15 a.m. – Katherina

Something like that.

The message takes me by surprise, and I huff out a low laugh. That was not the response I expected, but now all I can do is imagine the smile that might go with it. I grin and snuggle even closer, the phone clutched tightly in my hands. I know I should go for my walk, but where’s the fun in that?