Page 19 of Johnathan

“Not at all. I was just wondering how ‘princess hair’ came about. She’s usually okay with how I do it in the morning.”

Abby sighed. “Honey had her hair done in braids today. Katy asked her about them and Honey mentioned how her mommy always braids her hair. Katy got a little upset, thinking only moms could braid. I told her anyone can do it, and she asked me to do her hair.”

John scrubbed his hand across his face. “She’s been asking me when she’s going to get a mom. It breaks my heart.”

“Kids are great at spotting the differences in things. But you are more than enough for her. The love you and your family pour into Katy, it’s beautiful to see. And one day, whether she ever has a mom in her life or not, she will thank you for loving and protecting her.” She swallowed thickly as a wave of nausea washed over her. It was hard to concentrate on John’s voice as it grew more and more distant, while her heartbeat grew louder as it throbbed in her head.

“I used to think having a newborn was the hardest thing ever.” He laughed, and she tried to smile, but the playground was spinning around her and her heart was beating so fast the pain in her head was unbearable. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look a little pale.”

“Fine. I’m fine. I'm just ready for today to be over. You and Katy have a good night.”

“I was hoping to talk about this morning.” John touched her arm, but she pulled back.

“It’s really fine, I promise. I need to get going.” Something in her expression must have let John know that she was about to run, because his hand fell away as he nodded. Abby turned and tried to make her way to her car.

A blinding jolt darkened her vision and rolled her stomach. She was almost there. All she needed to do was unlock the damn door and she could get home. Abby fumbled for her keys inside her purse, gasping as the pain multiplied and her vision went completely dark.

“Abby?” John’s voice called out from across the parking lot, but she could already feel the school fading away.

Her head swam, and a cold numbness rolled through her body. The last thing she remembered was falling towards the ground.

Seven

“Abby?” He yelled out her name as her body swayed when she reached for the handle of her car. Something was wrong. Katy held onto his hand tightly, but he needed to get across the parking lot quickly, so he scooped his daughter up into his arms and took off towards Abby.

They were too far apart, though, and Katy cried as they watched Abby collapse, her head hitting the pavement with a sick thud.

“Abby? Hey, Abby, can you hear me?” He knelt down next to her on the ground. “Abigail, open your eyes for me.”

“Daddy?” Katy’s panicked voice pulled his eyes away from Abby. “Ms. Abby otay?”

“Yeah, sweet pea. She’s going to be okay. Remember how we practiced what to do if there’s ever an emergency?”

His precious daughter, with tears in her eyes, nodded. “You call for help, Dad?”

“Yes, baby. So I need you to sit down and hold Ms. Abby’s hand, okay?”

“Otay.”

John pulled out his phone and called for an ambulance, then sent a message to his mom asking her to pick up Katy. By the time he finished, Abby was coming around. Her eyes fluttered open, and she winced.

“Abby? Hey, take it easy. Just stay still until the ambulance gets here.”

“Oh no,” she groaned. “You saved me again?”

“Not quite.”

“Katy? Is she okay?”

His heart clenched. God, this woman. She’d just passed out and her first concern was his daughter.

“Shh, she’s right here and she’s fine. You scared the hell out of me. What happened?” he asked as he brushed his hand over her hair.

“Migraine,” she groaned.

“Is there anything I can do to help before the paramedics get here?”

“No ambulance.” She looked like she was going to try to sit up, so John placed his hand on her shoulder to keep her in place. “Just need some place dark until it passes.”

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