Page 54 of Sparks Flying

“Doc called. We’ve all been updated on what’s going on. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I feel okay right now.”

“You shouldn’t have been driving. What if you had another spell?”

I was fairly certain that wasn’t going to happen again, but I couldn’t tell him that.

“Dad, we made it here safe and sound.”

“I had Gia’s room made up for Bailey. Are you hungry?”

“Starving,” Bailey muttered.

I smiled behind my mask.

“If you could have some trays sent up, that would be great.”

“They’ll be on the table in the hallway at the top of the stairs. Go settle in. Hopefully Doc will get to the bottom of this quickly.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

I felt guilty for lying to them all. I could tell he was worried, but still, I selfishly was thrilled for this turn of events.

“Come on,” I told Bailey as she followed me up the stairs. “This is Gia’s old room. No one lives up on this floor anymore. Just me. So we’re free to move about, and don’t have to wear this stupid gear. If you need some privacy, that’s your space. I won’t go in there unless you ask me to. But you’re welcome into my space anytime.”

“Okay,” she said softly.

She opened the door and disappeared into the room.

I waited for a few minutes and when she didn’t return, I walked into my room and took the quarantine gear off, but made sure to leave my door open for her to find me.

She didn’t return right away, but when I walked back out into the hallway, I found two trays of food waiting for us, plus a basket of snacks, a case of water, and a case of my favorite soda. I needed to find out what Bailey liked to drink so I could order a case of that up, too.

“Bailey? Lunch trays are here,” I said through the door.

I was relieved when she opened the door.

“Thanks.”

“Um, do you want to eat together?”

“Sure.”

She seemed nervous, which made me oddly nervous. I couldn’t ever remember being truly nervous in female company.

We sat down on the couch in the room where I spent most of my time at home gaming. I pulled over two TV trays to set our meals down.

“Thanks.”

She started nibbling on her food, and I had the oddest sensation that she was trying not to freak out.

“Okay, spill it. What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Nothing?”

“Don’t lie to me. What is bothering you?”

“It’s nothing. Really. Just adjusting to a new place.”

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