Page 76 of The Summer Arrangement
“I feel horrible being here when she needs me.”
“I can only imagine how you’re feeling. Hopefully, it’s just a twenty-four-hour flu, and she’ll be back to her bubbly self in no time.”
“I can see if I can get on the next flight home.”
“I know it’s not the same, but I’m here with her. She’s already back to sleep,” I assure him. “When she wakes up again, I’ll get her to drink some of that Pedialyte you have in the cupboard. She’s only been sick twice in five hours. We have both the urgent care and hospital here in town. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll reach out to my mom. As a nurse, she’ll know exactly what to do.”
I hear the stress in his voice as he processes my words aloud. “Hmmm… It’s only been five hours. Let’s let her rest some more, and I’ll check in with you a little later. I’ve got another meetingsoon, so let me know if we need a thermometer. I’ll get the crackers and soda delivered within the hour.”
“This is Seaside, Cameron. Nothing delivers,” I pointedly remind him.
“My assistant will get it. She’s due into the office soon. I’ll text her and have her drop things by. Just let me know what her temperature is as soon as you get it.”
As much as I hate bothering others, this isn’t about me. “Thank you, Cam. I’ll call you if anything changes. I promise.”
“Thanks, Elizabeth. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Talk to you later,” I whisper, staring at his sleeping daughter.
Just as I’m about to hang up, he shouts into the phone, “Wait! Please know I have full confidence in you. My issue is with me not being there… Nothing else. I can’t thank you enough for caring about Emilia like you have.”
“She’s easy to love, Cameron. Go to your meeting, and we’ll talk later.”
“My tummy hurts,” Milli moans. She’s thrown up off and on throughout the entire day. I’ve given her Tylenol and tried to push fluids a little at a time, but nothing is working. Cameron and I have been in touch all day. I’ve assured him I’ve got things handled, and I’m doing everything we collectively can think of.
“I’m sorry, Mills. If I could, I’d take all your pain away. Do you wanna try taking another sip of this?” I offer, holding up the Pedialyte. “It should help you feel better.”
“No, my tummy hurts,” she groans quietly and curls into a ball on Cameron’s bed. She’s exhausted, and I’ve tried everything I can think of to help her.
Picking up my phone, I call my mom.
“Hey, honey, how’s Milli doing?”
“She’s not getting any better, Mom. She’s got a low-grade fever of one hundred point seven, and I can’t get the medicineto break it. She can’t possibly have anything left in her stomach, and I’ve tried to push a small sip of Pedialyte every half hour or so. But she keeps saying her stomach hurts. Maybe she’s pulled a muscle? I don’t know what more I can do. Nothing I’m doing is working, and she’s miserable.”
“I think it might be time to take her to urgent care, Liz. They’ll make sure she’s not dehydrated and give her some anti-nausea meds to make her stop vomiting. If something else is going on, they’ll get to the bottom of it.”
Glancing at the clock, I see it’s past six. “I think urgent care is closed.”
“Then take her to the emergency room.” Mom’s tone is no-nonsense, and I quickly stand to gather the things I’ll need.
“Okay, Mom.” I nod, decision made.
“I’m gonna pack a few things for Milli and get her into the car. I also need to call Cameron and let him know what’s happening.”
“Are you okay to drive?”
Trying to keep level-headed and not freak out, I tell her the truth. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
“Want me to call Lanie and have her meet you there?” Mom offers.
“Yes, please. Who knows how long I’ll be there, and I could use the company.”
“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll do that. Please keep me informed. I’ll be waiting to hear from you. I love you, and I’m so proud of you.”
“I love you, too, Mom. I’ll be in touch.”
With that, I hang up the phone and call Cameron.
