Chapter 20
Grace
The drive home was quick and uneventful, and before I could even put the key in the lock, the door was flying open to reveal Kath, her gaze alight with amusement.
“Sleeping over already.” She waggled her eyebrows at me before pulling me inside and over to our couch. “Tell me everything!”
She was radiating excitement as she bounced in her seat. Her long blonde ponytail flicked with the movement.
“Okay, okay. Give me a second.” I pulled out my phone and shot Kai a quick text.
Returning my gaze to Kath, who had her eyebrow raised in curiosity. I felt my cheeks heat. Ugh, I hated blushing! I blushed at everything.
“I promised I’d text Kai to let him know I got home safe,” I explained, answering her unasked question.
“Protective, isn’t he?” She shifted, pulling her long legs onto the couch and settling in for a dish session. “So…what happened?”
So, I filled her in on almost everything, omitting a few private things we’d share that were just for us or not my story to tell. Kath listened with rapt attention, her mouth gaping open by the end.
“You had sex!” Her volume made me jump.
“Shhh, you don’t have to tell everyone.” I hushed her. “And I never said that.”
“No, you didn’t, but I can tell you had sex! Great sex, by the color of your cheeks. Good for you.” She nudged my shoulder playfully.
“Kath!” I exclaimed, rolling my eyes to the ceiling. My face was flaming now, but there was nothing to be done about that.
“So, this thing with Mal is serious.” Her playfulness dropped as her features hardened. “You’re being careful?”
“Yes, it is serious. He’s the only one I’ve ever wanted. And yes, we’re being careful.” My heart swelled at the thought of a future with Kai.
She pressed her lips together. “What are you going to do about…being married?”
My stomach sank as the lead weight that was Cain was dropped, yet again.
“I don’t know.” My voice had turned soft and meek, and I hated it. “I hate him. I wish I’d never married him.” Every time he was brought up, or I thought of him, or something reminded me of him, it felt like a baseball bat to the gut. Nausea swirled in my stomach as my pulse picked up.
How did I divorce him without him finding me? Should I even file for divorce? I wasn’t even sure if I believed in marriage anymore, so why risk it? Right now, I was free—why rock the boat?
“Grace,” Kath’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. “I’m sorry. I just worry about you.” Guilt illuminated her expression.
“I know. Honestly, I have no idea what to do or even what I should do. The thought of seeing him again is sickening. I don’t know if I’ll ever be free of him.” Tears of frustration, anger, and sadness welled in my eyes, but I blinked furiously to not let them fall.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Kath grabbed my hand in hers and squeezed. “We don’t have to decide anything today. How about some coffee, and you can tell me all about sex with Mal?”
A shocked laugh burst out of me as a tear escaped and trailed down my cheek. “Who said I was telling you anything?” I sassed back. I loved this woman. She was one of a kind and always seemed to know how to help me, physically and emotionally. I’d never had a friend like her before.
“Aw, boo. Don’t I deserve some juicy details? I’m your best friend after all,” she called from the kitchen as she began to brew our favorite dark roast.
My heart jumped at her words. “You are, you know…my best friend. I’ve never had a girlfriend before, and I’m so thankful I met you,” I said as I came to stand by the counter to catch her gaze.
She sent me a soft smile. “And don’t you forget it.
Now, bring it in.” She held her hands open for a hug, and I all but fell into her arms. Affection and hugs were not something I’d ever experienced until I found Indy and the Papadakises.
Her arms came over my shoulders, and mine encircled her waist as we held each other close.
The aromatic smell of the dark roast permeated the kitchen and assailed my nostrils. My nausea from earlier picked up suddenly, hitting me like a Mack truck. Hastily pulling back from Kath’s hug, I spluttered a “sorry” before clamping my hand over my mouth and dashing for the bathroom.
As soon as I entered, I fell to the floor by the toilet and lost the contents of my stomach. I felt hands moving my hair aside as I continued to wretch.
What was wrong with me? Fainting, nausea, and now this.
My mind was racing, and I felt horrible as I sat back on my heels and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Are you okay?” Kath’s voice was low and worried.
“I th-think so.” I flushed and stood to wash my face and hands. “Thanks for the hair holding.”
“No problem. What set you off? You were fine a moment ago. Did you eat something funky?” Kath’s gaze assessed me as I dried my hands and face.
“I’m not sure. Just a bagel with cream cheese and juice for breakfast, but I haven’t had a bagel in ages, so maybe my body’s not used to the dense carbs.” It made no sense.
Kath bit her bottom lip, worry clouding her face. A little crease formed between her brows. She looked like she wanted to say something but held herself back. That alone, was unlike the Kath I’d come to know.
“What is it?” I was getting worried now too.
“Nothing. I’m worried about you. You might have the flu. It’s going around,” Kath mumbled, moving forward to touch my forehead. “You don’t feel hot. Maybe you should see Doc again, just in case.”
“I’m sure I’m fine, but I’ll make an appointment soon if I don’t feel better.
” I sent her a small smile, feeling weak and shaky after all the events of this morning.
Worry gnawed at my gut, I hope nothing was wrong with me.
Doc was lovely but I didn’t like visiting doctors unless it was absolutely necessary.
Cain used to accompany me and everything that was said in those appointments were lies.
Doc, here in Hope’s Ridge and Dr. Ophelia Calstrad were the only ones I’d ever been truthful with or visited alone.
It was all too stressful. I was done thinking and worrying for now.
“I think I’m going to go lie down for a bit.
Thanks again for all that.” I waved around the bathroom.
“Okay. What time do you need to get Hazel?” Kath asked.
“Not till two.” Kath patted my arm as I passed and headed to my room. Exhaustion wracked my body and mind as I flopped onto my bed on top of the covers. Taking my phone from my pocket, I noticed a reply text from Kai.
Kai
I miss you already.
He was so sweet.
Me
I miss you too, now get back to work ??
Kai
Yes, ma’am. I like it when you’re bossy.
I couldn’t help but giggle and roll my eyes at that. His cheeky streak was not something that even existed when we were kids, and I had to admit, I liked it.
I fell asleep, my phone clutched in my hand and a smile on my face.
“Grace, Grace.” Kath’s voice filled my groggy brain as something shook my shoulder. “You need to get Hazel.”
Hazel, Hazel, I needed to pick up Hazel from school.
I bolted upright, panic dancing through my veins. Checking the clock, it was one thirty! I slept for most of the day.
“Calm down. You have time.” Kath spoke softly as she rested a hand on my shoulder to push me back down. “How do you feel? Think you’re okay to get her or do you need me to?”
“I think I’m fine. I can’t believe I slept all day.” As I got up, I ran a hand through my hair and finger-combed the bird’s nest at the back of my head. I moved my legs over the side of the bed, I went to stand and wavered as dizziness and nausea washed over me, then dissipated.
“Whoa, careful now.” Kath gripped my arms to steady me as I squeezed my eyes shut, willing everything to go back to normal.
Blinking my eyes open slowly, the dizziness had completely passed. “I’m okay.”
Now that my panic had subsided, I realized my body was still exhausted.
My limbs felt heavy and sluggish. Maybe I did have the flu.
Checking my temperature with the back of my hand, I felt warm to the touch, but my hands were always cold, so I wasn’t sure if I had a temperature or not. “Do you have a thermometer?”
“Yeah, there’s one in the sink in the first-aid kit.
You sit back down. I’ll grab it.” She pushed me back onto the bed and dashed from the room.
Our apartment was small, so I could hear her clattering around before she came back in and passed me the thermometer.
Placing it under my tongue as we both waited for the beep.
BEEP BEEP.
Kath pulled it from my mouth. “Ninety-nine point two. A little high but not a fever. How do you feel?”
“Fine, just tired. Maybe I overslept.” Shrugging a shoulder, I did feel okay and Hazel needed me, I didn’t have time to dwell on this right now. “I think I’m fine to get Haze.”
“If you’re sure.” She looked me up and down before shaking her head. “I’m meeting up with Kay for dinner. He needs to get out of this rut he’s in, so I’m taking him out. I won’t be too late, but please message me if you need anything; we’re going to The Dusted Bull.”
“Okay, I will, but I’m fine now. Have fun and say hi to Kaydence for me.” I grabbed my coat from behind my door and headed out. It was only a short walk to Hope’s Ridge Elementary School.
As I exited our apartment block, an icy breeze hit me in the face, making me pull my scarf tighter around my neck and lift the hood of my parka up.
It wasn’t snowing, but the chill in the air told me it would again soon.
I always hated the snow. From as young as I can remember, snow meant being trapped inside.
First with my family and then with Cain, with no way to escape, especially if the state called it a snow day.
It meant Cain was home, demanding and often bored, and I was his only form of entertainment.