Page 100 of Beyond Friendship

He chuckles. “No problem. We’re glad you’re back to work. But you’re happier and more productive with Amanda at your side. So fight with everything you’ve got to get her back.”

“Do you have time to lock up tonight?” I ask.

“Sure.”

I pat him on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. I appreciate all you’ve done. Let’s talk about a raise in the upcoming weeks and a few days off because you deserve both for being here when I fell down the rabbit hole.”

“No worries. I love this place,” he says with a smile.

I nod and grin. “Mind if I leave right now to see a certain someone?” I say, opening my office door and walking out.

At 7:29 p.m.,the cab arrives at Amanda’s house. A swirl of anticipation ignites as I stroll to the front door and ring the bell. A minute passes, but nothing happens.

I glance over my shoulder to check if I’m not hallucinating. Nope, her car is here. I repeat my action and listen for any sounds, but nothing.

Then it dawns on me.She doesn’t want to see me.

Just as I turn, ready to arrange for a ride back, an uncomfortable sensation rises in the pit of my stomach.What if something’s wrong with her? What if she’s injured and alone, like my mom?In a flash, I move the plant beside the entrance. Squatting down, I lift a loose brick and grab hold of the extra key that was beneath it, then unlock the door with it.

“Amanda?” I call out as I enter.

Nothing.

When I am about to shout again, a sound coming from upstairs gets my feet to move. I sprint, taking three steps at a time. Entering her bathroom, my gut clenches at the sight of her on the floor, hunched over the toilet, puking her guts out.

I rush over and grab her hair when she continues. She’s pale, and tears stream down her face.

“I’m so nauseous,” she cries the moment I touch her.

I place a kiss on her head and hush her, asking how long this has been going on.

“It began in the store this morning,” she murmurs. “After I bumped my head against the wall when I had a dizzy spell. I thought I was okay. But then I got nauseous and started throwing up at random times throughout the day. When I came home… It’s been nonstop. I’m exhausted.”

“Why didn’t you call the doctor?”

“My phone is in the bedroom, and I’m too dizzy to get up.”

Fear creeps through my veins and snakes its ugly tentacles around my heart as I imagine the worst...What if this one hit to the head was enough to do serious damage to her brain?The lump in my throat is getting bigger as she moves forward again for another round of throwing up.

My pulse races and my heartbeat trashes in my ears. I clench my jaw and close my eyes for a second to give myself a mental slap.

Get yourself together. There is no time to freak out.

I may have been too late to save my mom, but I’m not letting anything happen to my Brownie. When Amanda’s done throwing up and falls back on her ass, I squat behind her.

“I’m calling the doctor’s office.” I draw out my phone, and while Amanda pulls herself up for another round of throwing up, I search for the telephone number, and as soon as I find it, I hit the dial.

The woman answering the phone asks what’s going on. After explaining, she advises me to take her to the hospital, since the doctor on call is attending an emergency. I place the phone back in my pocket and look at Amanda. Gently stroking her back, I tell her, “We’re going to the hospital. You need to be examined.”

She protests weakly, “But I’ll vomit in the car and you can’t drive yet.”

“Well, fuck that. You need a doctor, and I’m going to get you to one. Can you stand?”

She attempts to rise, but her legs shake. So I pick her up and she rests her head against me and closes her eyes without resisting.

I help her into the car and then hand her a carton box from the back. She looks up, tears welling in her eyes. I brush away the drop that had made its way down her cheek with my thumb before planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “Everything’s going to be all right.”

The entire car ride, Amanda dry heaves. Seeing her in this miserable state is weighing down on me, guilt eating my heart, telling me this is all my fault.

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