Page 92 of Someday

“Thirsty,” she croaks.

Marlow puts juice in the Belle cup I gave Dakota a long time ago, and I sit on the couch with Dakota still in my lap as Marlow gives her medicine.

“Do you think she’s okay to travel?” Marlow asks. “The doctor thought it was a virus. She’s got a runnier nose than usual, but really no other symptoms other than the fever.”

Dakota’s eyes drift shut as we’re talking, and I shift her so she’s lying on the couch instead of on me.

“She might sleep a lot, which wouldn’t be a bad thing for such a long drive,” I say, standing up and looking down at her. “She’s gotten so big.” I glance at Marlow when I say it, giving her a sad face.

She’s looking down at her little girl too, her eyes filling with tears. “I know. She’s the only reason I stayed as long as I did,” she whispers. “But he hardly pays her any att—” she cuts off and shakes her head, wiping the tears from her cheeks. She takes a deep breath. “Let’s get the truck loaded. I’d like to leave before Cash shows up here again.”

The kitchen table and chairs, an oversized chair, Dakota’s bed, and four suitcases of their clothes later, Marlow declares us ready to go. Dakota is still sleeping.

“You don’t want more of your clothes or your bed maybe?” I ask.

“If Dakota had been at day care instead of home sick, I probably would’ve torched that bed. I got home from taking her to the doctor this morning and found Cash in our bed with Maggie O’Leary.”

“What?”

She nods. “Yeah, obviously we were way off our normal schedule, and Cash being the dick he is, was clueless that Dakota was even sick and that I didn’t go to work this morning. Imagine his surprise when Dakota and I go to my room to get back in bed after the doctor visit.”

“Dakota saw too?” I groan.

Marlow flinches, her teeth gritted slightly as she nods. “I can only hope that this fever and her age keeps her from remembering anything that happened today.”

I curse under my breath, too livid with Cash to think straight.

“God, Marlow. I’m so sorry.”

I put my hand on her arm and she pats it for a moment before straightening her shoulders.

“Okay, let’s do this.” She attempts a smile, but I can tell she’s too exhausted to even be trying.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t sleep and head out in the morning?” I look at the clock behind her. “It’s already seven thirty. Dakota would normally be going to bed at eight, right?”

She nods. “The sooner we can get this place in my rearview mirror, the happier I’ll be.”

“Okay. Say no more. I’ll drive, and we can stop whenever we’re tired.”

“Oh, I don’t mind driving,” she starts.

When I shake my head, she gives me a teary smile.

“That’s what I’m here for,” I say, groaning as my eyes well up.

“Thank you so much, Sof.” She hugs me, but it’s quick and then she’s hurrying to pick up Dakota.

“You’re sure you have everything you want?”

“Positive.”

I lift Dakota’s blanket so Marlow doesn’t trip on it and hurry to open the front door before she reaches it. When I close the door behind us, I turn to see if she’s okay and she’s already putting Dakota in her car seat.

When she shuts the door, she walks around to the passenger side and looks at me.

“It’s just hitting me how incredibly selfish I’m being. You came all this way at the drop of a hat and now I’m asking you to turn around and drive the thirteen hours back to Landmark. I hate myself so hard right now.”

I’m shaking my head before she’s gotten through the second sentence. “Stop! I’m fine. This has been a day for the books for me too. I’ll tell you all about it on the way home.” I grin at her when I sayhome. “You really think you’ll stay in Landmark?”

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