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Patrick gave me asee what you didlook and pried him from my arms. It wasn’t long before my son’s cries turned into sniffles. Oh for goodness sake.
“Now you’re an expert at parenting?” I asked, not bothering to hide my bitterness.
“He feels your tension.” His tone softened, and I dropped my chin to my chest.
My nose tingled. Not now. Not now. Not now. I hadn’t cried since the funeral.
He touched my thigh. I squeezed my eyes shut and turned away, that tingling in my nose more pronounced.
“Is all this lashing out about him?”
My chest ached. I couldn’t think about Jack. I couldn’tnotthink about him.
“Stay out of it.” The tight confines of the cab suffocated me. “I need out.” I pulled on the door handle, but it was locked. I yanked, but the driver didn’t stop.
“We’re almost there,” Patrick said.
“I need out,” I yelled as bile rose up my esophagus.
“Pull over,” he commanded.
We were still rolling when I got the door open. Vomit spattered the curb and part of the car.
“Jesus, Marlow.” He rubbed my back as I heaved again.
“Get out.” The driver held up his palm for money.
“She’s sick, damn it.” His touch was tender. “You okay?”
I nodded even though I wasn’t.
“It’s three more blocks. You’ll take us.”
The driver grunted as I closed the door.
I clutchedboth sides of the doorframe as I stumbled out of the car. My legs nearly gave way when I landed on my feet.
I held out my arms for Blake. “I’ll take him.”
Patrick ignored me, paid the driver, and collected all my things. He jogged up the steps to his townhouse, juggling everything to unlock the door.
“Are you coming?” He flipped on a light in the foyer.
“I need to go home,” I croaked, the taste in my mouth vile.
“You need to take it easy.” He motioned upstairs with his head. “And brush your teeth. I’ve got extra strength mouthwash.”
I laughed, the sound foreign coming from me. Of all the inappropriate times, and Patrick was the one to elicit it.
“Can he sleep in the bed?” He glanced over his shoulder, already halfway up the stairs.
“We’re not staying. Just let me rinse my mouth out.” I remained rooted at the base of the staircase.
“Whatever you want.” He continued until he’d disappeared.
My stomach churned again for a completely different reason. The last time I’d been there—up there—it hadn’t exactly gone well.
“Do you have any crackers?” I called, more as a means of distraction.
