Page 69 of The Moment Promised

I sit up, but everything in me aches. I’m weak.

“Dad? Finn? What’s going on?” my voice comes out hoarse.

Finn rushes to my side and inspects me. I hide behind my hands, remembering my appearance from when I threw up in the night.

The slight movement causes my stomach to rise, and I rush to my desk, grabbing the tiny garbage can.

I dry heave for what feels like hours until stomach acid comes out, leaving me completely empty. I sink onto the floor, using what little energy I have left to wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.

“What the hell happened to you?” My dad towers over me, annoyance is the only thing I hear in his voice.

Finn kneels beside me, glaring at my dad. His firm hands lightly touch my forehead, and then my cheek.

“Holy shit,” he whispers to me. “You’re burning up.” He gently lifts me up by my arms and brings me to my bed. When I lie back, each tiny movement sends me silently crying out in pain.

Please let this end soon.

“Leave,” my dad spits out, still standing in the doorway. His muscles make him wide and bulky.

I liked him better before he started the steroids and living at the gym. Well actually, I never liked him to begin with. If it were up to me, he’d be six feet underground so my mom could finally breathe.

“I’m not going anywhere until I know she is okay.” He doesn’t even look at my dad, all his attention still on me. “I’ll go get you some medicine to break the fever.” He strokes my hair and stands up.

“She don’t need no medicine. She’ll burn it off.” My dad puffs out his chest, his scary voice sends chills down my spine.

Finn ignores him and walks downstairs.

I hear muffled yelling but am too tired to do anything about it. Eventually I drift off into a dreamless sleep.

Sharp pain sears through my abdomen, and I curl up in agony. I urge my eyes open and glance around my quiet bedroom.

My clock tells me it’s two in the morning, I must’ve slept the entire day. I turn over, trying to get comfortable to go back to sleep, when something catches my attention.

A folded piece of paper lays on my pillow.

I pull the corners apart.Check your phone. I smile at Finn’s childlike handwriting.

I grab my phone from the charger that was placed right by my bed and turn it on. One long text message floods in.

Hey Ad, your dad kicked me out. Shocker, I know. I went home and grabbed some stuff, it’s on your night table. I came in through your window, don’t worry, I didn’t watch you sleep or anything. It would only be cool if I was a hot vampire, I know, I know.

I gave you Tylenol at three (You were half asleep, it was pretty funny actually, you were talking about making donuts… Are you hungry?) you’ll need to take it again at seven if you still have a fever. Oh, also I put your phone on “do not disturb” so my texts don’t wake you up.

I will myself to sit up, grab the bag Finn left on my bedside table, and pull out my favorite candy, Hershey kisses.

I stick my hand back in the bag and pull out a bottle of Tylenol and a thermometer with a sticky note on it.Take every four hours if your fever doesn’t break.I pull out a water bottle next, it’s my favorite one from his house. A smile takes over my face as I turn it upside down, the glitter and tiny seashells float around like a snow globe.The Florida Keysis printed in my favorite color, hot pink.

I take a swig. The blue Gatorade coats my taste buds. It’s my favorite flavor.

The bag feels empty, I peek inside just in case. Is that a walkie talkie? I pull it out, and of course, a sticky note is attached. I press the button and say the secret phrase “ooga booga,” per the sticky note’s request.

I let out a weak laugh.

“Finally!” Finn’s voice comes through almost immediately on the tiny machine. The volume is already turned down low.

“You bought me a walkie talkie?” I laugh.

“I already had it, and it was the quickest way for you to reach me. I have mine hooked on my shirt,” his voice is raspy like I woke him up.

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