Page 81 of Destined To Fall

The line goes silent again, and before either of us can say anything else, I end the call. I’m still sitting on the bed staring at my cell in my hand when the bathroom door opens. It takes me a minute to look up and for reality to hit me. I jump to my feet and rush over to Jeremy.

“You shouldn’t be standing.”

“I’m…okay. Are you?”

“Nope. Come on.”

I turn Jeremy around, easing him back to the bathroom floor, and we lean up against the shower.

“Take long, deep breaths.” Jeremy smiles, and I shake my head.“Don’t you dare laugh.”

“You’re. No fun. When you. Worry.”

“Whatever.” I smile.

For thenext twenty-odd minutes we spend in a comfortable silence—Jeremy seemingly focused on breathing in and out, and me listening to the raspy sound until it slowly becomes less pronounced—then Jeremy breaks the silence.

“You called your dad?”

“Yeah…that really happened, huh?”

Jeremy nods, frowning.“You never said he was a doctor.”

I shrug.

“You were that worried about me?” His ensuing grin lights up hisentireface, and for a moment I forget he’s so sick.

“Shut up before I give you an enema.”

“You’d enjoy that too much.”

“Giving you the shits? Most definitely. How are you feeling, though?”

He shrugs.“Like I’ve been hit by a wrecking ball and been on a ten-day bender without all the worthy memories.”

“I can’t imagine you’ve had too many of those.”I grin.“And your lungs?”

“Fine, if inhaling razor blades is normal. They’re duller now, though.”

“Let’s get you back to bed.”

“I bet you’ve been dying to say that.”

“You know it. Invalids are my favorite.” I scoff, getting to my feet and dragging Jeremy with me.“Up and at’em. You can sleep this round. I’ll wake you up for round two.”

“Can you wake me up for round three?”

“How’bout I make you some tea or something?”

“Do you know how to make tea?”

I scoff.“Yes, smartass. Do you even have tea?”

“I…don’t know.” He wobbles on his feet, and I catch him around the waist, tightening my grip. I frown, noticing the heat radiating out of him.

“Jer?”

“Sorry, I think the steam is getting to me.”

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