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"Remember our rules?" I ask. She nods her head in response.
"Don't open doors for strangers or mess with any appliances. Don't go outsideJ" I start to list them to jog her memory, but she interrupts.
"I got it, Mommy!" she smiles.
I kiss her forehead again before walking to the fridge for orange juice. I take aspirin from the medicine cabinet and swallow. I rub my babyLs back before returning to my room to sleep.
:::
"Mommy. Wake up. Mommy?" Octavia whispers to me, shaking me back and forth. I open my eyes to see my body covered in sweat. I guess I got a break from the fever, and my eyes no longer feel like theyLre on ’re.
"Hey, Octavia. 2eed anything?" I ask. My throat is sore, and my voice is hoarse.
"There's a man at the door. I didn't open it because I'm not supposed to open it for anyone," she says proudly.
"That's good, baby girl."
Man? Who could it be?
I look at the clock and see it is a little after six in the evening. I have been asleep for over six hours.
Wow!
Octavia didn't have lunch.
"You must be hungry, my gummy bear." I pull her in an embrace. "I'm so sorry, baby."
"It's ’ne, Mommy. I made my lunch," she says proudly. "I didn't want to wake you."
I look at her, surprised.
7G HEUE2 BUqME
"What did you make?" I ask.
"Coco pops!"
"You made the cereal yourself? I'm proud of you, gummy bear." "I'm a big girl," she expresses with a broad smile.
"Yes, darling. You are a big girl."
I give her arm a little rub to let her know ILm proud of her, and then
I stand on my feet, running my hands through my hair in an eNort to look a little less cra5y. I need to see if whoever came to the door is still there.
Octavia and I make it to the living room. I look through the peephole to see a majestic 2ick standing at my entrance with Powers in his hand.
My face goes red immediately. Memories from the archives room ’ll my head6 our long embrace, our near kiss. I was so ready for him to kiss me that day. I could feel his breath on my lips. It was intoxicating. My heart raced, and the blood pulsed in my veins. Ueave it to the chief to come and ruin the moment. 8od knows I wanted him to kiss me so badly.
He apologi5ed that day but never spoke about it again. I'm guessing it was indeed a mistake for him. A thing of the moment, as he has said. But now here he is at my doorstep with Powers.
Does he like me?
I run my hand through my hair again and palm across my face like it would reduce my swollen face. I gently open the door and let him in.
"Hi," he smiles.
"Hi," I reciprocate, feeling mildly self-conscious.
