Page 37 of Finding Hope

Hunter: Sure, what’s up?

Jonathon: Nothing. I just wanted to talk.

He put his phone back in his pocket after he and Hunter set up a time and place to meet. He just needed his friend to listen, maybe offer advice.

***

Jonathon hugged Shannon’s naked body close to him. He had been worried that after his answer to Josie’s question, she might try pulling away from him, but instead she was totally fine, affectionate toward him and Josie both. When they had gone to bed, they made love until they were both spent.

He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling the peachy scent of her shampoo. His lips rested against her forehead. With his eyes closed, he snuggled her closer and then wrapped his arm around her body. Did she expect him to propose? Would that be a deciding factor for her to stay or go? He hated how insecure he felt about their relationship.

Jonathon felt he was out of his depth with this whole situation. With Alex, they had been young and determined. He was an adult now, so it was different; he didn’t know how to date or be a boyfriend, but he was trying, and he would keep trying. For once in his life, could he do something in the right order? He liked to do things backward, but he guessed it could be worse.

Did Shannon realize how vital she was becoming to him? She was quickly becoming his other half, the air he breathed. He loved the moments when he was the only one awake and he could just hold her, touch her, and kiss her, stare at her beauty. For someone who grew up without hearing, she didn’t let it define her, and from what he could see, her family was a big part of that. He could close his eyes and imagine what she was like as a little girl. He’d bet that she’d been a sassy little thing. Images of a little redhead with curls like her mom assailed him.

Smiling in the dark, he let those images ease him into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

***

Jonathon bounced up and down lightly as Henry screamed his head off and he tried to comfort him. He’d fed him and changed his diaper, but he wouldn’t stop crying. He looked at the clock and knew Shannon would be home from work soon. Maybe Henry just wanted his momma. With his hand to Henry’s forehead, he realized he felt extra warm to the touch.

“Josie, can you get the thermometer from Henry’s room?”

Her eyes widened and she looked frightened. “Daddy, what’s wrong with him? Is he sick? Is he going to die?”

“No, baby.” Jonathon’s heart ached at her words. “He’s not going to die. He might just be sick, okay? Just go get it for me.” He watched her put on a brave face and disappear down the hall. She returned quickly and handed him the temporal thermometer. He turned it on and then pressed it against Henry’s temple. When it beeped, he pulled it away and looked at the little screen. “Fuck,” he muttered. It read 100.6 degrees.

He took him into his room and he continued to scream while Jonathon grabbed a bottle of Tylenol. He looked up the dosage and then laid Henry in his bouncer. After preparing the dropper, he brought the dropper to his boy’s lips and then pushed it through and squeezed the little rubber end of the dropper until the red liquid disappeared into his mouth. Picking him back up, he rocked him back and forth, and soon heard the front door open.

“Is he okay? I could hear him crying from the driveway.” Shannon grabbed Henry out of his arms and hugged him close to her body, her eyes filled with concern.

“I don’t know. He started getting fussy a little while ago and then he started crying and wouldn’t stop. I took his temperature when I felt that he was warm. He’s running a fever, so I gave him some Tylenol. Should we call his pediatrician since he’s a preemie?”

Josie came over and sat down next to him on the sofa. “We probably should. His office number is in my cellphone.” He grabbed Shannon’s phone out of her purse and swiped through her contacts until he reached Dr. Rice’s number.

It was their answering service, so he left a message with them, giving them Henry’s symptoms. He wrapped his arm around Josie’s shoulders while Shannon tried to calm Henry. “Baby girl, go pack a bag,” he told Josie. “I’m going to call your aunt and see if she can come get you.” He picked up his phone, looking at Shannon. “Just in case we need to take him in.” She gave him a solemn smile.

He held the phone to his ear as his sister answered. “Hey, big brother. Oh my, I can hear Henry crying. What’s wrong?”

“He’s running a fever. Can Josie spend the night with you guys? We may have to take him to the ER and I don’t want her worrying.”

“Of course. We’ll head your way right now.”

They hung up, and then he stood and pulled Shannon and Henry into his arms. He kissed the top of her head and grabbed her phone when it rang, reluctantly letting them go. It wasn’t Henry’s usual doctor who was calling, but the lady was very nice. She wanted them to alternate Tylenol and Ibuprofen and monitor his eating and his diapers. If the fever didn’t go down after Henry took Ibuprofen, she wanted them to take him to the ER. Also, if he stopped drinking or urinating, she said they should go to the hospital.

He sent his sister a quick text message, asking her to pick up Ibuprofen. Josie came back out a few minutes later with her overnight bag and her journal tucked under her arm. The poor kid was clearly worried about her brother. Jonathon saw Tessa pull into the driveway, so he led Josie outside. Cash was sitting in the driver’s seat.

“How’s he doing?” he asked from the open window.

“Right now it’s a waiting game. We’ll give him some Ibuprofen and hopefully his temperature will go down. Thanks again for taking her. I just thought it’d be better she go with you now, rather than in the middle of the night.”

Cash nodded. “Hey, we’re happy to have her. It’s the only time I get junk food. Otherwise, your sister’s shoving carrots in my face.”

Tessa jumped out of the car and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“You go take care of my nephew and we’ll take care of Josie,” she said. “I’m sure they’ll convince me to go get ice cream.”

Jonathon hugged her and then opened his arms as Josie ran toward him.

---