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Only I can’t sleep with my stomach in knots, so I research potential causes on my phone. Apart from food poisoning, indigestion, migraines, and gastroenteritis, other causes were from medication, excessive alcohol, motion sickness, or chemotherapy. God, I hope my mother hasn’t poisoned him. No one else is sick, and he said it was more than indigestion.
I research some more and find encephalitis, appendicitis, meningitis, intestinal blockage, and brain tumors as likely causes. He had his appendix out as a child. I know he’ll rule out everything I mention and shrug it off in the morning.
Researching on the internet makes me even more concerned for him.
And doctors can be the worst patients.
* * *
Come morning, I roll over to a space. Samuel is up and gone without disturbing me. I let out a long sigh. I hope he’s okay for work today. Yesterday, he talked a little about his position and how he’s still working his way around a new building.
My day was uneventful, and I sent a text to Samuel every hour, asking for an update. I received one reply at lunch saying he was fine.
We’ve barely seen Dad the last few weeks with business trips and a dinner in the city with clients last night, but tonight he hopes to chat with Samuel. When Faith called in for a quick visit and offered to take Rose for a sleepover, I said yes far too quickly, hoping for some alone time with Samuel.
I’m in the kitchen preparing fish and a leafy green salad for our dinner when Samuel walks in.
“Hey, you’re just in time.”
He comes to me and plants a kiss on my lips. “Sorry I’m late. Where’s Rose?”
“Having a sleepover at Faith’s.”
His brow creases.
“She’s fine,” I murmur.
“Samuel, come and sit, and have a drink with us,” Mum calls from the living room.
“Evening, Grace.” He nods at Dad. “Sir.” He shakes his hand.
“Please sit, son. How was your day?” Dad asks with his feet elevated in a recliner chair.
“Busy. Most of the day is at a computer reading material relative to the residency and reorientating myself, and then I’m on a ward with my supervisor.”
“Dinner is ready,” I call out. “You can have a drink after dinner.”
I place Samuel’s meal in front of him.
“Thank you. It looks delicious.” He turns to my father. “How was Sydney?”
“Too busy for me.” He chuckles. “Beach-side real estate is five to ten times more than what you pay here. We’re blessed with one of the best sunset views in the world.”
“This is true,” Mum adds. “It’s why our guests keep coming back.”
The simple conversation continues until we finish cleaning the dishes. I’m distracted and hurrying to clear the table so I can get some quality time with Samuel.
“Samuel has some studying to finish, so I’ll see you both tomorrow,” I say to my parents.
“Eden,” he says to me as we head to our bedroom. “I wanted time with your father.”
“Not tonight.” I take his hand. “You need to rest, and we need to talk.”
After showering, I climb into bed, and before I say anything to Samuel, his face changes color. “Are you okay?”
He closes his eyes and winces. “No, not again.” He races out the door toward the bathroom. I’m right behind him, sitting on the white tiles, stroking his back.
“It’s not food related. The fish was grilled, and the salad contained nothing to upset your stomach. What’s going on, honey?”
