Page 65 of Romantic

“You should go to the doctor.”

“No,” he says stubbornly. “I just need to sleep.”

“Okay, just take your medicine, and I’ll leave you alone.

He sits up partway, his shirt damp from sweat.

He struggles to swallow and then looks at me with his fevered eyes. “Stay . . . please!” I can’t possibly refuse him.

“Of course—I’ll be back in a minute with a glass of water.”

***

And that’s how I end up spending most of the day in the guest room reading to a sick Brandon.

When I ask him what I should read, he answers, “I don’t care, as long as I can hear the sound of your voice.” It’s such a sweet thing to say, but has me worried. Healthy Brandon would pretend he was fine. He wouldn’t ask for a thing. He must be really unwell.

“Read him Anne of Green Gables,” suggests Pepper, who followed me back to her dad’s room. “I’ve been trying to get him to read it.”

“Are you okay with Anne of Green Gables?” I ask.

“Sounds good,” he says sleepily. There’s a sheen on his forehead. I place the back of my palm on it and confirm that he’s still burning up.

“I’m worried about you getting enough to drink.” I give him his morning Tylenol and hold the glass of water to his mouth, one of my hands brushing against his cheek. He slowly sips, his eyes steady on me.

I begin reading while sitting in the desk chair, but after the first chapter, my ankle is hurting.

“You still with me?” I ask Brandon.

“Yes, it’s good. She reminds me a little of you. And it’s not just the red hair.”

“Wow! Thank you—that’s the ultimate compliment! Would you be okay with me sitting on your bed? I’ll give you plenty of space.”

“I’d love that! Just—please, don’t go.”

“I won’t.” I clump across the room and open the window, and the white lace curtains billow in the wind. The breeze freshens the room as I make my way to the far side of the bed and prop myself up with pillows. Before I finish the next chapter, Pepper squeezes her way in between us, happy as can be. I hope whatever Brandon has is not contagious—Pepper is right up against him, but I don’t have the heart to make her leave. She looks so happy.

Brandon drifts in and out of sleep. After several chapters, I stop reading to readjust my ankle, and he starts awake. “Annie? Are you there?”

“I’m here.”

“Good,” he says and closes his eyes with a sleepy smile as I return to the book.

I’m not sure about Brandon, but Pepper and I have the best day. My mom and Elinor bring us meals and snacks. At some point, all three of us fall asleep, leaning on each other like kittens. I wake up around sunset with Pepper’s head in my lap. I stroke her hair and watch Brandon sleep.

I hate seeing him sick like this, especially because it’s all owing to my foolish self-pity hike. I took my wallowing too far, and Brandon’s paying for it. I scooch over a couple inches, just close enough to stroke his soft, dark hair. Somehow, a snoozing Pepper’s head remains undisturbed in my lap. This is what I want. Brandon and Pepper. I have no doubts or concerns or questions.

I place my hand on his forehead and pull back in surprise. His fever is back, and it’s hotter. I pull out my cell phone and call his mom.

***

Not surprisingly, Brandon doesn’t like my plan.

“Can’t I just stay here?”

I can honestly say this is the first time I’ve heard Brandon whine. It’s so out of character, I’m tempted to cave in. But Wendy James and I agree he needs to see a doctor.

“I told you. You have two options. Either I drive both of you home so Pepper can make the first day of school, or I take you to the emergency room in Monterey tonight.”