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“I’m contagious.”
“I already had the flu in spring. Knocked me out, but I should be good.” She stares at me, eyes blank and watery, a bit dazed, probably from that fuckin’ fever. “I told you about my friend Vic’s girl, Gabi? Her mom is a trip and invited me to family dinner. Her nephews are germ magnets.” She nods as if that makes sense. “So what do you need? Soup? Crackers? Gatorade?” She shakes her head then winces like it hurts to do so.
“I’m fine, seriously. You can go.”
“I’m not leaving here. You look like shit, and you’re burning up.”
“Seriously, I’m fine. I’ve been through worse.” Anger bubbles inside of me. “You have work.”
“I’m here right now, Lola. I’m not leaving.”
“I’m sure you have clients later today.” I stare at her, the same argumentative look she always has in her eyes, but it’s dimmed.
The fight won’t stay.
She’s exhausted and sick.
And some part of me is screaming to do this: take care of her.
I don’t think that’s happened often.
I make my decision and dig in my pocket for my phone. I keep my eyes locked on Lola, looking down only for a moment to find the name I need before hitting send and putting the phone to my ear.
“She good?” Hattie asks on the other end.
“Can you reschedule my appointments? For today and tomorrow morning. I’ll call in the morning and let you know about the afternoon.”
“Is Lola okay?” Her voice is concerned, and I realize Lola has another person to worry about her and care for her. I wonder if Lola knows that.
When Hattie decides you’re one of her people, you can’t shake her. I would know. I’ve tried many, many times.
“Yeah. Flu.”
“Oh, shit. That blows.”
“Yeah. She’s running a fever and looks like shit.” Lola scrunches her face in irritation. “Cute shit, babe,” I say with a smile, and Hattie laughs.
“Fuck, you’re whipped.” I roll my eyes.
“Yeah, yeah. You got clients today?”
“Just one.”
“Man or woman?”
“Man.” She says the word with slight hesitation, knowing what’s coming.
“Can you reschedule? Or I can call Luke, ask him to sit in.”
I will never put Hattie in a position to feel uncomfortable or to put herself in danger.
“No, I can reschedule. He’s a regular.”
“Okay. Reschedule. Close up. You need help locking up?”
“I got it, boss man. You need anything?”
“Not sure. I can probably get it delivered. Vic is next on my list to call.” There’s a pause. Strange for Hattie. “You good?”
