Page 2 of Halloween Hottie
Tommy nods as he lies down, holding his stomach.
I open the minifridge and take out a small bottle of water. I untwist the cap and hand it over. Tommy holds his head up and takes a small sip before handing it back and lying back down.
“Will you tell me a story?” he asks in the sweetest voice imaginable.
I sit back on my stool. “What kind of story?”
He shrugs one shoulder. “I don’t know. Anything.”
“Well, I have a book here. Would you like me to read it to you?”
He nods, so I grab the book and wheel a little closer so he can look at the pictures while I read. I only manage to read a few pages before he’s sound asleep. I put the book away and step out of my office, wanting to make sure he gets the quiet he needs to rest. I lean against the counter in the office. “Poor kid. He’s probably got the flu. It’s starting early this year.”
Lynn nods. “Just got my flu shot. Hopefully I’ll be geared up and ready. I was out three times last year.”
I giggle. “Yeah, the first year in a grade school is always the worst. I remember my first—I had strep six times!”
The boy’s mother comes in and she asks how little Tommy is doing. I hand over the med slip. “He’s complaining of headache and he does have a fever. I gave him some Tylenol, but he should probably have a flu test done. He’s asleep in my office. I’ll show you to him.” I lead her back into my office and she sits on the bed at his side, brushing his dark brown hair away from his cute, round face.
His eyes flutter open. “I don’t feel good, Mommy.”
“I know, sweetie. Let’s go home and we’ll make you a doctor’s appointment.” She picks him up, and I hold the door so she can carry him out.
“What a bad time to get sick as a kid. He’ll probably miss the homecoming parade now,” I tell Lynn, sitting across from her at my desk.
“It’s only Tuesday. Maybe he’ll make a full recovery before Friday.”
The rest of the day goes by as slow as usual. I have a few headaches, earaches, and pink eye that makes my eyes water when I look at it, but other than that, another successful day in the books. I walk out of the school at quarter to three on the dot. I’m digging through my purse for my keys when my phone rings.
“Hello?” I answer without looking at the screen, continuing to dig.
“Liz? It’s Margo. What’s going on? You haven’t RSVP’d to the Halloween party yet.”
I let out a sigh. “Hey, Margs. I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy.” I find my keys and hit the button on the fob to unlock the door.
“Don’t tell me you’re not coming.”
I smile to myself as I slide into the car and put my things in the passenger seat. “You want an honest answer or a lie?”
She scoffs. “The truth, obviously.”
“I’m just not feeling it this year, Margs. I mean, Steve and I broke up. I don’t want to go to a party alone. Everyone will be there, dressed up in their cute couple’s costumes.”
“No, they won’t! This is just a party. Not acouple’sparty. I promise, other single people are coming. You won’t be alone.”
“I don’t know… I’ll try to make it.”
She grumbles. “You’re turning into an old lady, you know that? You need to get out, meet people, or you’re going to be alone your whole life.”
“Hey! I get out,” I argue.
She snorts. “Going to work doesn’t count.”
“Fine, I’ll think about it.”
“Thank you!” she sings, hanging up the phone.
I toss my phone onto the passenger seat with the rest of my crap and make the drive home. I switch out the laundry, then pour a cup of coffee and take it to the couch to watch some TV, relaxing after my rather boring day. As I watch, I can’t keep the party off my mind and, just for kicks, decide to look at some Halloween costumes. Scrolling through pages on my phone, I see a cute little devil costume. I click on it and try to imagine how I’d look in it. I find myself ordering it before I’ve even decided I’m going for sure.
