Page 47 of Healer’s Betrayal

“You just happened to have a bottle of apple juice in your purse?” Raechel asks incredulously.

“I carry a lot of crazy things in this bag now that I’m growing another human,” Ava says. Raechel says something else, but I miss it. “Here, Kayla, try drinking some of this. I promise it will help.” Ava’s voice is more gentle now, and I crack an eye and see her holding out a bottle of apple juice.

If drinking some of her juice will make them all go away; then I’ll do it. I tip the bottle back and take a few sips. “Drink a little more if you can,” she encourages. I do as she says and then drop my head back down. I hear Jackson’s voice rumble from next to me, but I don’t focus on what anybody is saying. Then somebody touches my back. “Feel better, Kayla. Sleep helps; I promise.” I think it’s Ava speaking, but I can’t be sure. All I know is it’s finally, blissfully silent. I keep my head on my arms, hoping to just sleep right here. The juice must have been just what I need because I can no longer keep my eyes open and succumb to sweet sleep...finally.

A buzzing sound reaches my subconscious, followed by an alarm. I groan and roll over to turn off the alarm on my phone. I fumble around and finally manage to silence it. I sit up, not trusting myself not to fall back asleep. What day is it even? I glance at my alarm. 5 am. It’s my early morning; I nearly groan but don’t want to wake Noah. I throw my covers off and get a glimpse of myself in the light of the small nightlight. I frown at seeing I’m still wearing my clothes. I think back to last night, and it all suddenly comes flooding back. The guy I healed, passing out, waking to a bunch of strangers in my home. I frown down at my bed. I don’t remember even getting in my bed. Wearily, I stand to my feet to start getting ready for the day. I feel like it takes all my energy just to get to the bathroom. After a hot shower, I feel marginally better; but I’m still tanked. I remember this, though. The few times I’ve healed; it takes a toll. I open the door and do a double-take. Noah’s sitting at the table eating breakfast out of a white container. I walk towards him as the scent of bacon and pancakes hit me, and my stomach growls fiercly. “Where did this all come from?”

Noah grins. “Mr. Jackson brought breakfast for us.”

I turn towards the door. “When?”

“While you were in the shower.” He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, but I’m too dazed to call him out on it. “It’s good.”

I take the other chair and open the boxes and find biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, home fries, pancakes, a waffle, and two more boxes of bacon. “Good grief.”

Noah grins. “And there’s orange juice in the fridge.”

“Really?” I ask in surprise. I love orange juice and haven’t had any for a long time. I grab a piece of bacon and take a huge bite as I walk over to the fridge and open it. “I could go for some—” the words die on my tongue when I take in the contents of the fridge. It’s full, and by full, I mean stuffed to the brim. “Noah,” that’s all I get out.

“Mr. Jackson brought all that this morning too, and there’s more stuff in the cupboards.”

I walk over to the cupboard, feeling lightheaded. I open the door to the cupboard, and my jaw drops open. I take in the cereal boxes, granola, mac and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, pasta boxes, red sauce, rice bags, pancake mix, syrup, salad dressing, and so much more. “This is insane,” I breathe out.

“Isn’t it awesome?” Noah asks in delight.

I put a pot of coffee on, needing some desperately. After my coffee is made, I sit at the table with Noah and consume the food that Jackson brought. When I finally sit back, I don’t think I’ve ever been fuller in my entire life. By the time I open the door for Renee, I feel mostly human again. “Morning.”

She takes in the table in surprise. “Wow.”

“I know. There’s still plenty; help yourself,” I tell her as I grab my wallet and phone. “All right you two; don’t have too much fun without me.”

“Can I go with you to the meeting later?” Noah asks quickly before I can leave.

“What meeting?” I ask.

He meets my eyes. “They said they were going to meet when you get off work tonight.”

I remember now. “Oh yeah.”

A hundred questions regarding last night flood my mind, but I try not to dwell on them now. I think about his question. I don’t want him to come because I have no idea what Jackson’s friends want, but I also don’t want Renee to have to stay longer. “All right.” His eyes light up, and I wonder why he wants to go. Then I remember, he’s a seven-year-old boy who is always either at home or at the café. Of course, he wants to do something, anything. I give him a hug. “Love you; be good. Do your school.”

He rolls his eyes. “I know.”

The drive to work passes in the blink of an eye; my mind is too full of questions. But I force myself to focus on the day ahead of me. Just before I clock in, I text Jackson.

Me- thank you for breakfast this morning. It was way too much but delicious! And thank you for the groceries. Seriously- too much!

Jackson- you're welcome

I clock in and get to work preparing for opening. We’re off to a busy start right away, and I don’t get a break until nearly the end of my shift. I find Mama May. “Hey, I’m off in about forty minutes anyway. Do you mind if I clock out now?”

“Sure thing. Have a good night.”

“Thanks you too.” But she’s already hustling back out front. I laugh to myself and pledge to myself to have that much energy when I’m her age. Actually, even half her energy would be good. After clocking out, I pull out my phone and text Jackson.

Me- are we still meeting with your friends?

He texts back pretty quickly.