Her tone says stay the fuck away from that subject and I’m smart enough to do that. For now. Eventually, I want to know why she has that tone.
“My brother though? He’s a little upset I left West Virginia where we know everyone.”
“Yeah?”
“He’s in the Navy and stationed in the middle east right now. I think he feels safer knowing there’s people I could go to if things got tough now that Nana is gone.”
I watch her take a bite of the steaming hot soup. It’s followed by a grimace.
“Sore throat?”
“Yeah, but with the drainage I have, I’m surprised it didn’t start to hurt earlier.”
“I’m really sorry you got sick. I’m used to the cold of the rink. I didn’t even stop to think about it. Most people from around here are.”
She waves it away and takes a few more bites while I down an entire burger. Her eyes widen as she watches me house the food.
“Don’t you stop to chew?”
“I’m starving. Hockey takes a lot out of you.”
“I didn’t understand a thing of what I watched. Christa tried to explain it, but it went over my head.”
“That’s cool. I can teach you.”
She has that frown back, but I don’t let her say no, she doesn’t want me to do that. Instead, I reach over and put the drink in her hand.
“Drink some of this. The cold will soothe the sore throat.”
She does and puts it back down on the coaster. “I can’t eat any more. I just need to sleep.”
“You want me to go?”
She nods. “I thought I could stay awake, but all I want to do is sleep for a week.”
“No worries.” I pack my stuff back into the plastic bag and then put all her food away in the little fridge by her desk.
Before I leave, I do make sure she takes the cold meds and the cough syrup.
“Thanks,” she murmurs as she settles under the covers and closes her eyes.
I turn out the lights and then let myself out. Thankfully one of the girls is downstairs and locks the door behind me when I leave.
At least she’s home in bed, safe and secure. It’s enough.
For now.
CHAPTER 11
Daisy
The weekend wentby in a haze and then on Monday, I woke up still feeling all icky so I took myself to the student medical center. I got antibiotics and went back to bed. Missing classes wasn’t ideal, but it was necessary. I was just too sick to go. The cold found its way into my chest and I’ve been hacking up a lung since Saturday night. All I’ve really been doing is sleeping. I have managed to get through my classes today and my lab without causing everyone in the room to think I’m trying to infect them with Covid or something.
My job interview is tomorrow afternoon so I’m hoping these antibiotics start working and I can get through it without sneezing or coughing my head off. The interview is thanks to Christa and I’m praying I get the job. It would take some of the stress off me. I’m going to start searching for scholarships so I won’t be so strapped for cash next year. I’m a straight A student so there has to be a few I can find.
One of the girls told me Hutch came by to check on me yesterday, but I don’t remember if I said anything or not. Iliterally just slept all day. Honestly, it was sweet, but I have no desire to go anywhere near a relationship or a casual situation. I just want to focus on school and graduating. I don’t have time for anything else.
My phone buzzes and I look at it as I sit on my bed. I really should block her number, but I’m always afraid if I do, something bad will happen to her. At least if she leaves a voicemail, I know she’s alive. Not that I plan on ever answering any of them, but still, she’s my mother. My brother blocked her number years ago, but Nana loved her. She always spoke with her. I can at least make sure she has an answering machine to talk to if not me.
