Page 80 of Destined To Fall

“Is he coughing up anything?”

“No.” I look back at Jeremy and see that’s not exactly true.“Actually, I think he might have ripped something. There’s a little blood on his lips.”

“You need to get him up and into the bathroom. Turn the shower on so it steams up the room.”

“Okay. Hold on.”

I drop the phone on the bed and run into the adjacent en suite, turning on all the faucets. It only takes a minute before the room begins to steam. I race back to Jeremy and begin hoisting him up. It’s nearly impossible with his body racked by a coughing fit.

“Sor—”

“Shh.”

We finally manage to stumble into the steaming room, but there isn’t anywhere great to put Jeremy. The toilet is backless.Well shit.

“Damn it. Hold on to the vanity, and don’t fall off. I’ll be right back.”

I close the door behind me and head for the kitchen, taking one of the barstools back to the bathroom. I about lose my shit when I open the door and see Jeremy crumpled on the floor.

“Jeremy!” I fall beside him and roll him over, sagging when I see he’s still sort of breathing and coughing, his lips less blue.“You fucker. Don’t do that.”

“Sorry.” He pants, opening his eyes to look at me.“I. Just. Wanted. To. Say. Hello. To. The. Tiles.”

I give him a wan smile and shake my head.“You’re a moron.”

“Door.”

“What? Oh, crap.” I lean back and kick the door closed with my foot, the room filling back up with steam. I reach for Jeremy, pulling his head into my lap, and stroke his sweat and steam-stuck hair off his face.“Better?”

“Mmm hmm.”

“Good, but no more talking. Just focus on breathing.”

He smiles, nodding but still coughing, thankfully not as intensely. It’s only when his bodysags, his coughing subsiding, that I remember my father on the phone.

“Shit. I’ll be right back.” I raise Jeremy up, and he shifts back against the shower door, waving me out of the room.With a shaky hand,I collect my cell,the earlier panic and adrenaline wearing off,but the anxiety still present.What the hell have I done?“Dad? Are you still there?”

“Vivienne, is the boy all right?”

“Yes, he’s coughing less and seeming to breathe easier.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“I…I should go. I need to…”

“Yes. I’m about to go into surgery. I…it was good to hear from you.”

I nod.

“Vivienne?”

“Yes?”

“Are…are you all right?”

“I’m good. Um, thank you. For your help.”

“Of course.”

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