“You really need to go to the doctor Luce,” Piper said while sitting at her friend’s bedside with her hand on Lucy’s forehead. “You’re fever isn’t letting up, you haven’t been eating and to be honest, you look like death warmed over.”
Lucy tried to respond, but all that came out was a rasping cough. Truth was, she knew she had to go to the doctor, but wasn’t sure how to get there. She was terrified of passing on whatever she had, but after Lucy had been gone from work for a week, Piper refused to stay away.
“Come on chica. Get up and I’ll take you to urgent care. No where else is open this time of evening.”
Lucy tried to stand up, but ended up doubled over, coughing yet again. She tried to push Piper away when she came and put her arms around her, but she was so weak, it was useless.
“You need to go and you need help. If you won’t let me help, I’ll have Nash come and carry you.”
Lucy shook her head and started walking toward the front door of her apartment. The faster they got there, the faster she could get home.
*****
“PNEUMONIA AND BRONCHITIS, leading to a nice case of laryngitis. Whew girl, when you get sick, you really get sick.” Piper tucked her friend in and stepped back. “Okay, I gotta go, cause I have work in the morning, but your meds are on your nightstand here,” she pointed them out. “I also have a glass of chicken broth sitting here. You really should try and drink some, your body needs a little something.” Piper looked around. “Can you think of anything I missed?”
Lucy shook her head slowly. She was so tired and so miserable. All she wanted to do was sleep, but she knew she needed to take the medicine or she’d never get better. In fact, her doctor had threatened to put her in the hospital if she didn’t work harder at taking in some fluids at least. Reaching a shaky hand out, she grabbed her cell and punched in an alarm for when she needed to take her pills and the inhaler.
“Alrighty then,” Piper rubbed her hands together. “Don’t be afraid to call or text, I’ll keep my phone by my bed. Sleep good.” Then Lucy’s best friend gave her a sympathetic look and walked out the door.
The house was quiet without Piper’s chatter, but Lucy was grateful for the reprieve. She let her eyes flutter shut and just before she slipped under had a quick thought. Tomorrow I need to let Principal Grimm know that I can’t do summer school. They’ll have to call in a sub.
*****
TWO DAYS LATER, LUCY was sitting up in bed when Piper came in.
“Hey Luce. Feeling better today?”
Lucy nodded. The medicine had done wonders and she was feeling much better, but she was still very weak and her voice still sounded like a frog with a bubble in his throat.
“Have you eaten today?” Piper’s eyes darted around, refusing to look Lucy in the eye.
Lucy narrowed her eyes and scrunched her brows, recognizing when her friend was hiding something. She crossed her arms and sat back in the pillows, waiting for Piper to tell her what was going on.
Piper peeked from under her lashes and sighed; her shoulders slumped. “So ... I have some not so great news.”
Lucy raised an eyebrow, but held her pose.
“Well, you know summer school starts next week and with you getting sick Principal Grimm was kinda desperate to replace you on such short notice ... ” Piper trailed off.
When she didn’t continue, Lucy waved her arm impatiently.
“He may have replaced you with Lillith Gresham.”
Lucy’s eyes widened and shock caused her features to go slack. Are you kidding me? Lillith! Ugh! That woman has been after my job for years!
“I know, I know!” Piper put out her hands in a placating gesture. “The woman is crazy and sneaky, but at least it’s only a summer school job and you won’t even be there.”
Lucy huffed and looked at Piper from under scrunched eyebrows. It won’t be a summer job if she can help it. Stinkin’, manipulative, money grabbing—
“There’s really not anything she can do in this situation, Luc. Principal Grimm only brought her in because you’re sick. If he had more time he would have gotten one of our normal teachers, not a sub. It was too last minute though, he had no choice.”
Lucy threw up her arms. It’s not like there’s anything I can do about it anyways. Looking around, her eyes spotted her computer. Her heart sped up. I haven’t looked at my emails in a couple of days. M.K. is probably wondering what happened to me..
“Let’s get you some food, huh?” Piper started to leave the room, but Lucy clapped her hands to get Piper’s attention. Piper spun back, her brown hair swirling with the movement.
Lucy pointed to the computer. “Please,” she rasped out.
Piper walked over and pointed at the laptop, raising her eyebrow.
Lucy nodded vigorously.
Piper picked it up and brought it over. “Don’t talk chica, you sound horrible.” Piper laughed when Lucy glared at her.
“What are you in such a hurry for? Got a hot email?” Piper teased.
Lucy felt heat rise in her cheeks and she tried hard to act nonchalant about the whole thing. It must not have worked, because Piper dropped off the laptop with a smirk on her face before heading toward the kitchen to fix something to eat.
Lucy watched her go, making sure Piper was out of sight before she opened the browser. Her heart pounded as she clicked on her email icon. It’s so ridiculous to get so worked up over an email! However, she couldn’t seem to help herself. Her heart was falling faster than she wanted to admit.
Sure enough she found an email waiting for her and she couldn’t stop the goofy grin that pulled at her lips. In truth, she didn’t want to.
Dear L.G.
Summer school sounds ... exciting? I can’t say
I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing it.
(and if I’m being honest, I’ve never had the
Desire to experience it) ;) But I think it’s great
You spend extra time helping kids. I’m sure they
All love you for it. As for travel, I can go either way.
Mountain nature is glorious, but I have no
Problem kicking my feet up and enjoying
A pina colada. Okay, my turn for a question.
Favorite movie? Or movie genre? I would
Think my enjoyment of super heroes would
Give my answer away, but I have to admit
I’m also a sucker for ... dare I say it? Historical
Documentaries. There, I said it. I watch
The History channel every chance I get.
What can I say? I’m kind of a geek at heart.
M.K.
PS
Evidence #16: Superman can’t be killed.