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“Babe, it’s fucking early.” That was her fiancé, and at the moment, I am not his biggest fan.
“Thanks, Kenz.”
“Call me once in a while.” She laughs. “And go get some. You need it badly.”
“All right. Bye.” I end the call and stare at the phone for a moment.
I love our friendship and how when we talk, it’s like no time has passed at all. Though we don’t talk or see each other as much as we used to. I sometimes think that she blames me, having invited me to New York to meet her fiancé, but I have responsibilities here to my family and to the business. She could come here, but we all know why she doesn’t.
I open the bedroom door as Van leaves the bathroom. His pale skin has a sheen of sweat and he runs into the wall before straightening up.
“Oh jeez. I thought I heard you. Feeling pretty rough, huh?”
He wipes his mouth. “Sorry I woke you. Some servers got a stomach bug yesterday and I think it just hit me. We all ate at the same dive bar in Greywall one night after work.”
He clearly wasn’t sitting around the apartment missing me while I was away, but what did I expect?
“What can I get you?” I ask.
He shakes his head and walks by me. “I’m good. I’ll just be in bed. I cleaned the toilet and sink, but I’ll probably be in and out of there all day.” Walking into his room, he shuts the door and a whimper echoes into the hallway.
I stand against the wall and chew the inside of my cheek. It’s only a virus and will be out of his system soon. He’s right, he’s an adult and doesn’t need my help. I should go get ready for work. I walk toward my room, shutting the door behind me, but Kenzie’s words repeat in my head. “You’re Brinley Kelly, you take care of everyone.” If I didn’t have this attraction to him, I wouldn’t think twice about calling in and taking care of him.
With a sigh, I pick up my phone and dial the office, then leave a message telling them I won’t be in because of illness. They don’t need to know it’s not my own. Then I dial my mom, who doesn’t answer, and I leave a message.
I throw on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt, toss my hair in a messy ponytail, and head out to the grocery store. I buy chicken soup, Pedialyte, and some ginger ale. I get some ibuprofen, although I think I might have some already. I want to be safe.
I walk in the apartment and find Van on the couch, still looking like death but with a little more color to his cheeks. “Hey.” I drop the bags on the dining room table.
“Hi.” He sits up and goes to stand but sits back down, holding his head.
“You’re dizzy. Sit.” I hurriedly put away the groceries and pour him a glass of Pedialyte with ice, then bring it over to him. “Here, to keep you hydrated.”
He puts up his hand and shakes his head. “I’m not taking anything. I haven’t thrown up in an hour, so I’m not taking any chances.”
“It’s this, or I call my aunt, who is a doctor, and she puts an IV in you.”
He accepts the drink. I didn’t think I was all that scary to be honest.
“How many relatives do you have?” he asks after taking a small sip.
“You don’t want to know. You’ve probably run into most of them.”
He huffs. “Even when I was with my mom, it was just me, her, and my stepdad. Neither she nor my stepdad talked with their extended families.”
“So, your birthday parties were small. Lucky you. I barely had enough room to invite my friends after all my cousins were added to the list.” I pull the blanket over his lap and go back to grab some ibuprofen, then hand him two of the pills.
“Nonexistent parties really. Birthdays weren’t a big deal in our house. Except for my stepdad, but it was his excuse to stay out all night.”
“Oh.” I try my hardest not to sound as though I find that depressing. “Soup. I bought soup to make you too.” I walk over to the kitchen.
My phone rings and it’s the furnace guy telling me that just like he thought it’s going to be at least a few weeks before the part for the furnace comes in. I sigh, knowing I’ll have to drag Calista into this, so as soon as I finish on the phone with him, I text Calista to let her know what’s going on. I’m just shoving my phone in my pocket when Van calls my name.
I peek my head out of the kitchen.
“Don’t you have work today?”
“I took off. You looked really bad this morning and I didn’t want you to be alone.”
