Page 42 of Second Chances

“Mommy, I don’t feel good,” Simona had said right before projectile vomiting all over her sheets and comforter.

She rushed her daughter into the bathroom just in time for a second round and held onto her while she leaned over the toilet this time. Rubbing Simona’s back slowly, she felt her own insides curl at the sounds and smell. Still, she forced herself to hold on, to bear with it for her daughter’s sake.

When Simona was done, she pulled off her soiled clothes and ran a bath for her.

“You lay in here,” she said, after washing her daughter’s hair and body. “I’m going to go clean up and get the laundry started.”

“I’m sorry I puked all over your bed,” Simona said softly.

“Sweetie, it’s okay, it happens. You rest here, I’ll be back.” She made sure the water was shallow enough that Simona could lay her head down and not drown.

Leaving her in the bathroom, she rushed around and pulled both her and Simona’s sheets and blankets off the bed and started the washing machine before she pulled out her phone and shot Todd a text message.

“Simona woke up sick this morning. I hate to do it, but we need to cancel today’s picnic.”

She went to set her phone down, but then noticed the other text message.

“I won’t be ignored, slut. Do you think you can hide who you’re fucking from me? I know everything that’s going on. I’ll get you for ruining my life.”

With shaky hands she replied. “Brock, leave us alone. You have no legal rights to me. If you continue to message me, I’ll have you put away again.” But before sending it, she deleted it and blocked the number instead. She’d already changed her number once; she wasn’t about to change it again. She understood now that it wouldn’t help.

Her phone went off in her hand before she could set it down, causing her to jump.

“What can I do to help?” It was Todd.

She smiled and forgot all about Brock.

“Nothing, thanks. She’s taking a bath and will most likely sleep or watch TV for the rest of the day. Sorry to miss out on today.”

“I can bring some breakfast over for the caregiver. Coffee? Soup?” he suggested.

“I can’t ask you to spend a full day around a sick kid.”

“You’re not asking. I’m offering. If it means that I can help you out and be around you, then I’m game.”

She smiled and walked in to check on Simona. She sat on the edge of the bathtub before replying.

“I like my coffee with creamer and blueberry muffins from the bakery.”

“Be there in fifteen,” he said, before hanging up.

She leaned back as her daughter relaxed in the tub. Then she realized what he’d said. He was going to be there in fifteen minutes. She was still wearing the shorts and t-shirt she’d pulled on after removing her puked-on pajamas. Glancing at herself in the mirror, she almost cried out as she jumped up and quickly made herself more presentable for Todd’s visit.

Chapter 12

Todd had driven by the little yellow house just on the outside of town plenty of times. It sat directly on the main road and was on a triangle-shaped lot between the road that led out of town and towards his place and the road that led down to the library and the town square.

He hadn’t realized she lived there until she’d sent him her address after she’d agreed to let him come over. He liked the cute cottage home. It was one of the nicest smaller places in downtown Silver Cove.

He parked just outside of the garage. He hadn’t known she lived there because she parked her car in the garage.

A narrow stone pathway led into a yard with a white picket fence and to the front door. He shifted the packages of muffins, coffee, and chicken soup he’d brought along as he opened the gate and then knocked on the front door.

Olivia answered the door a moment later, her dark hair still wet from her morning shower.

“Morning.” She smiled and took the coffee from him.

“Morning.” He stepped in when she motioned for him to enter.