Chapter 15 #2
My next stop was the office, since I had to pick up my laptop. I could do most of my work from home, and the phones could be diverted to my cell phone. Carrying Addy, I fumbled to unlock the door.
Someone stepped up next to me. “What’s wrong with the little munchkin?”
Keely ran a hand down my daughter’s head, then moved me to the side, unlocking the door. “Don’t tell me you’re coming to work to pick up your laptop.”
“Okay. I won’t tell you.” I made a beeline straight for my desk but was stopped when Keely stepped in front of me.
“Take Addy home. Riley and I will answer the phones since we’ll be at the office all day. And your work can wait until the little miss is better.”
“But—”
“No buts. That’s what sick leave is for.” She made a waving motion with her hand. “Now shoo.”
“I don’t want to take—”
“If the next word out of your mouth is ‘advantage,’ I will make you take a whole week off. With pay.”
I snapped my mouth shut and glared at her. She was entirely too cheerful for someone who would have to answer phones all day.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” She waved her hand in a shooing motion. “Or whenever.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow.”
She shrugged. “We’ll see.”
Stomping back to my car—at least as much stomping as I could do with a child in my arms who was too heavy to be carried—I buckled Addy back into her seat, then drove us home.
Back at the apartment, I gave Addy medicine, then put her straight to bed. She went without protest and was asleep before I’d even fully covered her up.
Left with nothing to do, I sat down on the couch, resting my head on the back and looking at the ceiling. Which was a big mistake since I spotted a few brown stains that I hadn’t noticed before. Whatever had spilled from upstairs had ended up in big crusty rings.
Muffling the scream threatening to escape, I leaned forward and put my head on my knees with a groan.
I had to find another place to live. But first, I needed to increase my hours at the office and then find a second job.
And if I took the plunge and found a babysitter for the girls for the afternoons, I’d have time to work more.
I’d have to suck it up and spend less time with them.
But at this stage, we didn’t have a choice.
I’d already put the car on a sales website, and I’d had a few inquiries. The money would go a long way toward a deposit for a different place to live.
Working more would also mean I had to put my studies on hold. I wanted to complete an associate’s degree, but at the snail’s pace I was currently managing, it would take me quite a few years. Now even longer if I took time off.
Decision made, I pulled out my ancient laptop, praying it would turn on. When the screen came to life, I released the breath I’d been holding. I messaged my supervisor and applied for a one-year break.
I then browsed job ads, bookmarking anything that might work. My résumé was next, only needing small updates since I didn’t have much on it to start with.
We picked Elana up late afternoon, Addy already looking a little better. And right at 5:30 p.m., our dinner showed up. This time it was lasagna. I knew I couldn’t depend on getting dinner delivered every night, but our food bill had been a lot more manageable this last week.
Once the girls were in bed, I settled down with my phone in my hand, waiting for Vance’s message. What if tonight was the night he didn’t text? He had no obligation to. After all, we were only friends.
But the relief that flowed through me when my phone pinged was a clear sign that I was in way too deep.
Vance: How are my girls?
He’d started calling us “his girls,” and I was here for it. Loved it.
Me: Addy has come down with something, but so far Elana is fine.
The phone vibrated, but not with an incoming message. Vance was calling.
I fumbled to answer, nearly dropping it twice.
“Vance. Hi.”
“What’s wrong with Addy? Did you take her to the doctor?”
“She has a cold. If she’s still not feeling well in a few days, I’ll take her to the doctor, but she’s fine for now. I gave her some medicine for her fever, and she ate a little of her dinner.”
“What if it’s something more serious?”
“I doubt it. They’ve been sick quite a lot over the last few years.”
Thanks to school and daycare, they’d come home with various illnesses. But thankfully, so far, none of them had been serious.
“Why have they been sick? Is their immune system weak? Have you thought about homeschooling them?”
I giggled at his suggestion. “And when would I do that? Before or after work? Besides, they love daycare and school. And it’s important for them to socialize.”
“I guess so.”
“She’ll be fine.”
“Do you have everything you need? Did you make her soup?”
“We had lasagna for dinner. It’s one of her favorites, so she ate some.”
Tonight’s dinner had been a lucky coincidence.
“I’m sorry I’m not there to help out.”
“Vance. There’s nothing you could have done anyway. She needs sleep and something to keep the fever down. She’ll be her usual self in no time.”
He grumbled something under his breath. “If you’re sure.”
“Absolutely.”
“But you’ll call me if she gets worse? And give me updates tomorrow on how she’s feeling?”
His request made me melt into the couch. He couldn’t be real. Nobody cared this much about someone else’s kids. Not even their own dad cared this much when they were sick; he always left me to deal with it.
“I will.”
“Good.” There was a muffled conversation on his end. “I gotta go. Have a good night.”
“You too. Bye.”
We hung up, and I dropped the phone onto the couch next to me.
It was official. I had lost my mind, and my feelings toward Vance were here to stay.
I was so screwed.