Page 70 of Damien
Sydney claps with excitement. “Great. I can’t wait. I’ve already made reservations. I’d much rather have you with me than go alone.”
“You’re lucky you get to get away,” Ryan sighs. “I start my internship on Monday, so I’m spending the weekend traveling to Boston to get settled.”
“You’re gonna have the best time,” Vince encourages.
We spend the rest of the evening chatting and keeping up casual conversation. Eventually, Ryan leaves, and Vince and Sydney decide they’re ready for bed. Knowing I’ve been watching Vanessa stifle yawns for the past hour, I stand to make my exit, too. If things were different, I’d love to take her home with me. But that wouldn’t be fair to Jules—especially not given her warning about a sudden change in her schedule.
When she walks me to the door, I thank her for an amazing evening and let my kiss show my feelings for her. God, why does it hurt to walk away? She has responsibilities, and it would be weird for Julia if I were here in the morning—so that isn’t an option either.
As I walk to my car, I can honestly say I wish things were different.
25
Vanessa
Finals weekofficially kicks my ass. Between working a few extra shifts at the diner, studying, and actually taking my exams, I have barely seen Damien. To make matters worse, Julia must sense my stress because she’s been a pill for the last three days. She’s not typically this whiny—like ever. But something has crawled up her butt and festers more each day. I’m seriously at my wits end by the time Friday evening comes.
Of course, I don’t get any relief because Vince and Sydney left after their last final for a weekend away. When Damien calls to check in for the day, I find myself unloading on him way more than I should.
“Hey, you,” he says when I answer his call.
“Hey, Dame,” I sigh heavily, trying with all my might to get my emotions in check.
“What’s wrong?” His voice fills with concern.
“What isn’t wrong…” I spit rhetorically.
“Was your final that bad?” he asks.
“No. Finals went fine—thank God. But all evening, Jules has been hell on wheels. It’s like everything I do is a constant battle. The more I try to discipline her, the more she’s pushing back. I swear… it’s like she’s been inhabited by aliens or something, and I’m left wondering where the heck my sweet girl went.”
“What can I do to help?” the man sweetly offers.
Knowing there’s nothing he can do but hug me, I sigh. “There’s nothing you can do.” She’ll go to bed in a few hours hopefully, and we can reset her mood in the morning. Though she’s been a piece of work all afternoon, it may carry over to tomorrow. But, God—let’s hope not.
Just then, I hear Julia call, “Momma,” in a panic as she runs down the hall.
When I hear the sound of retching from the bathroom, I quickly mutter, “She’s puking. I need to call you back.”
Hanging up the phone, I rush to my poor daughter as I mutter, “This explains everything.”
God, why didn’t I think she was getting sick? Hell, I thought this was just a horrible phase for the last two days. But no, I should’ve known better. She only gets this way when she’s about to get the stomach flu.
Rubbing her back, I offer words of encouragement. “I’m right here, Jules. I’m right here.”
“Momma,” her struggling voice calls out. “I don’t feel so well.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” I say, rubbing her back and trying to comfort her. “I know.”
When her head slumps to the toilet, I know I need to assist her further. “Do you think you’re done?” I ask, hoping she’s put out of her misery soon.
“I think I’m done…” She takes some tissue and wipes her mouth. “But my tummy hurts.”
Grabbing a towel, I lay it on the floor to make her more comfortable. “I’m gonna run to the kitchen to grab a bowl. Stay right here, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
On my way back to the bathroom, I grab a few extra beach towels. If I don’t want to wash sheets all night, I need all the reinforcements I can get to help her.
Stopping by her room, I add the layers of towels to her bed, making sure I drape them over the side and along the floor, so I can put the bowl on the floor near her. When I hear her moan, I rush to the bathroom to be with her.
