Page 80 of Family Like This

“Good news,” Mackie says as I walk back into the room. “They have a mattress cover and it did its job. There should just be some spot cleaning to do. Bad news, I don’t think the mattress cover is salvageable.”

“Okay, can I see the tag on it?”

She holds it out to me and I snap a photo, then look it up. Thankfully, they have similar ones in stock at Target, so I text Amelia and ask her to pick one up, then Mackie and I get to cleaning the mattress.

I hunt down some hydrogen peroxide while Mackie finds a hairdryer, then I lug the vacuum upstairs. The best way to quick-dry the mattress is to use a towel to blot dry where you’ve cleaned, then use the attachment on the vacuum to go over the same spots, then run a hairdryer over them. It’s a lot, but since the mattress stains are minimal, it should go quick.

By the time we’ve finished all the steps, the mattress looks pretty good and is dry to the touch.

“I cranked the AC down a couple degrees,” Mackie says. “That way, they can get cozy in bed, plus it will help keep the humidity down. Good for the mattress.”

I look over at the two garbage bags. One with the unsavable mattress cover, and the other with the sheets Mackie is taking to wash.

“She could have died,” I say solemnly. “If it had been worse or she’d been alone.”

“Yeah. I know.” Mackie sniffs and waves her hands in front of her. “Enough of that, though. We’re all alive and mostly healthy. No one is dying any time soon. I forbid it. I think I might take up witchcraft to see if I can cast some spells to ensure that.” She gives me her classic Mackie smile.

“Hello?” Amelia calls.

“In here. Need any help?”

“Nope,” she says, walking into the room with a couple of reusable shopping bags. “I left the heavy stuff in the car.”

“Good. I’ll unload after we make the bed.”

“Speaking of which, I might’ve gone a little crazy. I got some extra throw pillows, some trays for eating in bed, and a cozy blanket.” She smiles softly. Blankets are her love language.

“Thanks, baby.”

“And here’s the mattress cover.”

“Perfect,” Mackie says.

“What can I do?” Amelia asks.

“Sit.” I point to a chair in the corner.

“I’m not a dog,” she pouts.

“No, you are my beautiful, pregnant girlfriend who needs to sit her sexy ass down and rest.”

“Still a command, but a much better one. I’ll take it.”

Mackie and I make quick work of the bed, then we find Rae’s sick movie and a few other favorites, and put them on the dresser by the television.

“You two head home,” Mackie says, once I’ve unloaded the car. “I’m going to leave a quick note for them, then get out of their hair. Sarah said they’ll be back soon.”

“Okay. Love ya, Macks.”

“You too. Night.”

“Goodnight,” Amelia says, then I wrap my arm around her and guide her out the door of the farmhouse, ready to get in the car and get the hell home because I am holding on by a thread.

Amelia

The car ride home from the farmhouse was steeped in silence, and Miles was gripping the steering wheel like we were driving through a foot of snow. As soon as we get inside the apartment, Miles kicks his shoes off and walks straight for the bedrooms, turning and walking into the master. I haven’t let him sleep in “his” bedroom once since we moved in. I like the feeling of safety and comfort I get from having him in my bed.

Tonight, he’s the one who needs that.

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