Just the Plague Part 2
THE STORAGE PLACE DOESN’T OPEN until eight so I haul Betsy and her stuff to her house and we put it all in her room, which she loves. She especially loves the roman shades she picked and is grateful I put them up for her. By the time we have all her stuff unloaded, it’s time to go to get her mattress.
“Any second thoughts?” I ask because when we left her house it was super loud and there’s still a lot of dust flying around.
She shakes her head. “I know it’ll be loud at times and not super clean, but it was what I was planning on before the mold so it’s fine.”
“Well, just know that if it gets to be too much, you have a standing invite at Casa Davis.”
“I appreciate that. You have been very generous.”
“You are my best friend, and it’s really nothing,” I say as I turn into the storage place.
She is staring at me so I glance at her. “You really believe that?” she asks.
“What? That you’re my best friend?” She nods. “Of course. I have a lot of friends but I know you’re my best one since there’s no one I’d rather hang out with than you.”
Her smile is wide and glorious. “The things you say, Joe.”
I shrug. “It’s true.”
We get her bed and Don and I carry it up the stairs. She spends a few hours unpacking and setting up her room the way she wants it. Meanwhile, Don and I continue working on the flooring in the back room. At lunchtime I head up to see if she wants to go with me to get tacos. I knock and let myself in.
“Jeez, wait for me to invite you in.” Betsy is sitting on her bed, her laptop in front of her.
“Sorry, I thought we were past that.”
“What? Respect and human decency?” she asks, but is smiling so I know she’s not really angry with me. “What’s up?”
“Wanted to see if you wanted to go to Los Altos or Cancun maybe? It’s Tuesday so federal law requires that we have to get tacos.”
“That’s not real, but yes, I’m so tired and I’m starving. I was going to go into work but I think I’m just going to hang here today.” She closes her laptop and stands, slipping her Vans on. “Let’s go.”
* * *
After lunch, Betsy holes up in her room and Don, Denver, Luz, and I work on the floors. When we are done, I head up to say goodbye to Betsy. I knock lightly and open the door. She is curled up on her bed asleep. I tiptoe over, move her computer off the bed and cover her with her fuzzy blanket she loves so much. The pull to join her is overwhelming, so I kiss her forehead and turn off the lamp sitting on a stack of books next to her makeshift bed.
When I get home there’s a note from Jack saying he went to Kel’s. I’m alone. I hate being alone. I’m one of those weird people that like to be around other people all the time. I’m needy that way. I eat some leftover chili, take a shower and get into bed naked. Since I’m lonely, I decide to text Betsy to see if she woke up from her nap.
Me: Hey Bestie, you up?
Three dots appear under my message, then disappear, then reappear.
Me: When you start typing I can tell. You know that, right?
Bestie: Yes, jerkface.
Me: So, you are up?
Bestie: Yes, ding dong. I woke up an hour ago. Thanks for the sandwich.
Me: You’re welcome. I figured if you woke up, you’d be hungry but not motivated to go anywhere.
Bestie: You are correct, sir.
Me: It’s so cold and sad here.
Bestie: I’m sure it’s not.
Me: Jack is at Kel’s and there’s no Betsy in my bed or chair. You spoiled me, I blame you.
Bestie: You’ll live.
Me: I miss you.
Bestie: You just saw me like two hours ago.
Me: I know, forever.
Bestie: It will be good for you.
Me: I disagree, you will be good for me.
Bestie: I thought we agreed to let this go.
Me: I’m 100% sure I never agreed to any such thing.
Bestie: Okay, well can we?
Me: For now.
Bestie: Good night, Joe.
Me: Good night, beautiful.
The next morning, I wake up early, feeling better than I have in a week. I go to the gym for an hour and although I’m not at full health, I get a good workout in. I shower and am at Betsy’s by 7:30, before everyone else. She’s not up yet so I go ahead and make coffee. We made her a little makeshift kitchen in the dining area. She has her coffee maker, microwave and a plastic bin to wash dishes in.
I make a cup of coffee for her and head up to her room. Normally, I’d never do this for a client, but she’s more than that. She may be trying to push me away but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let her. She clearly has feelings for me that are freaking her out. So, I’ll give her a tiny bit of distance, but I’ll still be here, trying.
Her room is dark and she is in bed. I put the coffee on her stack of books and lean down to look at her. She is flushed and her hair is sweaty and matted to her forehead. Looks familiar. I place my hand on her cheek and she is really hot. I get up and head to the bathroom, I find her thermometer in her cabinet and come back to take her temp. It’s 104.5. I know that’s really high and potentially dangerous. I call Dr. Mononoke’s office and her nurse answers. I tell her that Betsy has a high fever, after taking care of Jack and me. She agrees it’s too high and encourages me to take her to urgent care.
I rouse her and she is able to take some water and hold the cool washcloth I put on her head. “Hey, Bets. I need to take you to the hospital. Your fever is really high.”
Her head lolls as she tries to nod. “‘Kay.” I help her get socks and shoes on, she is still in the clothes she was wearing last night. I bundle her up in a fleece and we head downstairs just as Don is walking in the front door.
“Hey, Don. Bets has a bad fever so I’m taking her to urgent care. I’ll keep you posted,” I say and he helps me get her to the truck.
“Just take care of her,” he says and goes back in the house.
As I’m pulling out, I see Jeannette walking to her car. I roll down the window and call to her so she comes over.
“Hey Joe, looking handsome today,” she says with a wink.
“Thanks, Jeannette, just wanted to let you know Betsy is sick so I’m taking her to see someone and then I’m bringing her back home with me.”
Her happy face turns to concern. “I see. Keep me updated.” I smile and nod.
Betsy is snoring lightly next to me as I drive her and I feel a panicky dread. I’m sure she’ll be fine, but her fever is way higher than ours were, so I’m concerned.
They take her right away because her fever is so high. I wait for a few hours, reading on my phone, dying for any information. A doctor finds me and he tells me they got her fever down but in addition to the flu, she also has a severe throat infection. About ten minutes later Betsy shuffles out to me.
“Hey,” I say, taking her hand to pull her in so she can lean on me.
“Hey,” she says in a barely audible scratchy voice.
“Are you okay to walk to the truck or do you want me to go get it?” I ask.
“Okay,” she whispers and I smile.
* * *
Betsy is in my bed. Her hair cascades across my pillow and I imagine she’s there because she wants to be, not because she’s delirious with fever. I stopped at the pharmacy and got her meds earlier and she took them a few hours ago. She’s hot again as I curl her shivering body into mine. It feels familiar and right that I’m the one to take care of her. My hand smooths her hair and keeps it from her face. Her breathing is heavy and she is snoring louder than usual. She is stunning.
I get her to take her medicine and to eat a few spoonfuls of broth. “Sorry, we are back with soup again. The doctor said only liquids because of your throat.”
She nods and slurps another spoonful. After she is done, I get her to lie on the chair so I can change the sheets. She falls asleep so I carry her back to the bed. She whispers something to me but I can’t make it out.
“Don’t speak, B, doctor’s orders,” I say softly in her ear as I place her on the bed.
I take the sick tray downstairs and clean up. Then I send Don a quick text.
Me: B has flu and throat infection. I’ll be out for a few days.
Don: You take care of that woman or I’ll fuck you up.
Me: I know. Can you tell her neighbor, Jeannette?
Don: That hot lady next door? Hell, yes.
Me: She likes ladies. Behave yourself.
Don: Ooh, a challenge.
Me: Stop. Please.
Upstairs I plug my phone in, take my pants off and get into bed with my Betsy. I’m not sure why it took the fucking plague for us to end up here, but I’ll take it. She snuggles into my shirt and I kiss her sweaty forehead.
“I love you, Bets, you’re going to be okay and then we are going to talk about our feelings and you are going to admit you love me too. I know that sounds like a creeper thing to say, but I know in your heart you’re mine and I’m all yours,” I whisper to her. She snores in response.