Page 36 of Bound By Fate
“Need you to come to the Quickie Stock and pick up my bike. Gotta take Katie home.”
“Your bike?” he asked, then continued, “What’s wrong?”
He knew it had to be something important, or I wouldn’t give up my bike.
“Katie’s sicker than a dog, and I’m takin’ her ass home.”
Micah chuckled. “Great opportunity for ya.”
“Damn right, and she reallyissick.”
“I’m on it,” Micah replied.
“Thanks.” We both hung up just as Katie came through a side door and directly to me. “Let’s go.”
My hands were full, so there was no way for me to take her hand. Instead, I guided her with my arm, and she went but a bit reluctantly. “We’re gonna talk about that fuckin’ bagger when you’re better.”
“Ms. Brashers told you?”
“Yeah. You should’ve, or at least told Micah if you didn’t want to tell me.” As much as I hated throwing that out as an option, it would’ve been better than having her out there alone. That was gonna stop.
Her car had seen better days, but it was reliable. She brought it into Banner Automotive, the repair shop that Ravage owned to get checked out often. I made it my job to take care of it.
“Unlock it.”
I could still tell this was under protest, but she unlocked the car and opened the back door for me. The groceries went in, and surprisingly Katie went to the passenger seat without protest.
Getting in, Katie rested her head on the seat and closed her eyes.
No words were spoken as we drove to her apartment, and when I stopped and she hadn’t moved, I knew she was asleep. Out like a damn light.
I parked the car, got out, and went over to her side. Opening the door, she still didn’t stir, so I unbuckled her and carried her to the apartment door.
Keys in hand, I opened the door and took sleeping beauty to her bed and laid her down.
While I wanted to remove her clothes so she’d be more comfortable, I only took off her shoes, then covered her up. She didn’t even make the slightest move. Yeah, she was absolutely sick.
Going back for the groceries, I put them away and got out the medicine. Yes, she needed to sleep, but she also needed meds. I figured I’d let her sleep for an hour or two, then wake her up for the meds.
NyQuil nighttime looked like the winner as I read the directions. I hadn’t taken care of anyone like this in years, but it all came back to me. NyQuil was the end all be all. It killed all the germs.
Going to her, I felt her forehead. She was burning up, yet she was shivering.
“Alright, so meds first before rest,” I told her as I moved back to the kitchen and grabbed the medicine, pouring it into the little cup. Setting it down on her side table, I gave her a little shake. “Katie, I need you to wake up and take some meds.”
She groaned, and it took a few more tries to get her eyes to flutter open. “What…” she croaked.
“Shhh…” I whispered. “Need to set you up and take this medicine, then you can sleep.”
“I’m cold.”
“This will help.”
I lifted her gently, reached around, grabbed the medicine and put it to her lips. A bit of it dribbled down her chin, but she was able to get most of it down even though I swear she was still sleeping.
Laying her back down, I covered her up, wiped the dribble off her face, and then put a cold rag on her head.
My cell rang in my pocket, and I answered it quickly, not wanting to wake up Katie. I looked down at her and she didn’t move, so I took the call.
