Page 35 of Weatherman

I didn’t know where those thoughts came from. My head pounded so hard that I figured it had shaken something loose inside.

Pearl let out a “Wa-da-wa-da-wa-da”and pointed at the door. I turned my unfocused gaze to a figure approaching me. A man. It took a moment for me to recognize him, and when I did, my heart burned with sudden emotion and my eyes filled, tears spilling out uncontrolled over my lashes.

“Camo,” I sobbed. “You’re here.”

His beautiful hazel eyes shimmered as he smiled at me, and I saw his overlapped tooth in front.

“Hang on, sweetness. I got you.”

How many times had he said that to me? “I’m trying so hard, and I miss you so much.”

“Here, babe. Take these.” Weatherman handed me two white pills.

“No, I don’t take drugs anymore. I left that life behind when I got pregnant with Pearl. I won’t go back to that.”

“It will help, babe. Trust me.”

“It’s only Tylenol. It’s safe.”

Weatherman brought a fresh glass of water to my lips and encouraged me to swallow. The pills went down easily. He made me finish the cool liquid, tilting the plastic cup until I’d drained it all. Then he pulled out his cell phone.

“That’s good, sweetness.”

“Bad fever. One of the highest I’ve seen.”

“You have a good place here.”

“Cold compresses where? Are you sure that’ll work?”

“You got this.”

“If it doesn’t break in a couple hours, I’ll call for an ambulance. Thanks, Emma. And thanks for staying the night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Weatherman appeared before me again. “Let’s get you up.” He lifted and carried me, not to the sofa but to my bedroom, setting me down gently on top of the comforter.

“You need to take better care of yourself, sweetness.”

“I’m so sorry, Camo. It’s all my fault.” The tears kept coming, and I couldn’t stop them.

“Don’t be sorry, Opal. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Raise up. I’m gonna put some ice bags under your arms and neck. Mom’s nurse said it’s the fastest way to reduce a fever. Just bear with it a minute.”

I hissed as Weatherman pushed cloth-covered ice under my shirt and in my armpits. Another cloth was draped across my neck. “That’s cold.”

“That’s what ice does.”

A shiver ran through my body. “I need to take care of my girl.”

“I got her.”

“I got her.”

The two voices blended together, and for whatever reason, those sound waves assured me that Pearl was okay. Her babbled words and happy giggle drifted to my ears. “Maybe I’ll just rest my eyes for a moment.”

“You do that. I’ll be here.”

“You do that. I’ll be here.”

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