Page 74 of The Summer Arrangement
“Too tired,” she moans.
Scooping her into my arms, I walk her to the bathroom just off her bedroom. “Let’s get you in the tub, and I’ll finish cleaning your bed.”
The moment her body sinks into the warm water, she perks up and plays with her bath toys. This brings me hope. Turning off the water when it crests her thighs, I ask, “You okay for a minute? I wanna finish cleaning up your bed.”
“Uh-huh. My bed is yucky.”
Yeah, kiddo. That’s an understatement.
I make quick work of grabbing her pajamas and sheets and throwing them in the wash. With the laundry room right across the hall from her bedroom, I’m able to check in on her often as I hastily clean up. Unfortunately, the smell keeps following me and when I look down, I see why. Rushing to Cameron’s room, I find another pair of pajama bottoms and t-shirt to sleep in.
When her bed is stripped, and the washer is started, I return to the tub. Then I quickly wash and condition her hair. As I rinse off her hair, I ask, “Do you know where your daddy keeps your extra sheets?”
She adorably shakes her head and offers a weak, “No.”
“Okay, kiddo. You ready to get out?” I offer, holding up a towel for her.
“I’m tired,” she yawns heavily.
“Let’s get you into some fresh jammies, and then I’ll get a big bowl for you to use, in case you get sick.”
“You stay with me?” she asks, hopeful. My heart melts for her when she squeezes my leg in a hug.
“Of course, sweet girl. Let me see if I can find some extra towels and blankets so we can set you up and not ruin any more bedding tonight.”
As quickly as I can, I help her into pajamas and run a brush through her hair. Then I quickly pull it back into a braid, like my mom always did for us when we were sick as kids. Hopefully, it’ll stay out of the way should she get sick again.
Once she’s dressed, I rummage through the closets in the hall, hoping to find where Cameron keeps the spare blankets. When I can’t find any, I realize desperate times call for desperate measures.
Rushing to the extra bedroom where Megan slept, I pull the blanket from between the comforter and sheets and bring it into Cameron’s room. It’s warm and will be easier to wash if she gets ill again. Folding the blanket in half like a sleeping bag, I spread it on the side of the bed closest to the bathroom. Then I open it up and lay towels on the pillow and across the mattress where she’ll sleep. It may seem excessive, but it’s what my mom and Nana would do for me as a kid, so they didn’t have to wash every stitch of bedding multiple times.
Lifting the unused portion of the blanket, I help her onto the bed. “Hop in, and I’ll cover you up.”
“Will you hold my hand?” she asks when I’ve got her snuggled in tight to the blankets.
“Of course, Mills. Just let me turn off some lights.”
She waits patiently for me to return. As soon as I lie down on my side of the bed, she reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “Night, My Iz. Love you.”
Emotion clogs my throat, but I manage, “Love you, too, Mills,” as I squeeze her hand in return.
It takes her no time at all to fall fast asleep.
Once I’m sure she’s out, I reach for my phone to update Cameron. Hopefully, he’s sleeping at three in the morning, but he deserves to know what’s going on.
Me: You were right. She did get sick. Poor girl (Sad face emoji)
Me: Don’t worry. I’m taking care of her. Puke is cleaned up. She’s had a bath, and she’s back to sleep. I’ll let you know if anything changes.
*****
A miserable moan startles me from my sleep.
Registering what it means, I jump into action and place the bowl in front of Milli just in time for her to be sick once again. This time, the blankets are spared, but the girl in front of me looks miserable.
“I want my daddy,” she moans.
Seeing that it’s after seven in the morning, I offer, “Let me take care of this and when I get back, we’ll call him.”
