Chandler
CHANDLER
G od, my fucking neck hurts. That’s what I get for sleeping on the fucking couch again. The events from yesterday come flooding back, and my chest constricts when I think about my grandfather, who’s still lying unconscious in a hospital bed. I was at a loss for what to do. I couldn’t fix it or make it better. Seeing my sister like that broke my fucking heart, and the only thing I could do was be there. I was too beat to do anything but sleep when we finally got back home from the hospital last night. Guilt takes over. I feel bad that Sam was there to witness that. She didn’t sign up for this on a simple work trip. Didn’t sign up for any of it, really. Not the shitty rental car, cleaning up the house, or being here to witness one of my many family tragedies. I sigh and look up at the ceiling. Where is Sam?
I sit up on the couch and stretch, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and check my phone to show an email from Ken saying I can stay for the rest of the week. At least that's taken care of.
“Sam?” I call out, and then I hear a thud from upstairs.
Her voice echoes from above. “I’m fine! ”
A few seconds later, she’s running down the stairs with grocery bags full of the clothes she bought at the thrift store. “Sorry," she says, out of breath. “I was just grabbing my things. Have to check out of the hotel and get to the airport.”
Shit. I’d forgotten all about that. “What time is it?”
“9:30. Check out is at 11, and my flight leaves at 2.”
Great, I overslept. It’s been a while since I slept past 7 AM and not had a hangover. I run a hand over my face and look at Sam, looking cute in her shorts and black T-shirt. “Have you had coffee yet?”
“Of course I have! I’m not senile! I wouldn’t have gotten ready without it.”
“Well, good. Don’t need you going off the rails without your caffeine fix.”
She rolls her eyes, and I ignore it. I stand up, stretching one last time. “I’ll be right back.”
I brush my teeth and change my clothes, and 15 minutes later, we’re driving down the long dirt road. I glance over at Sam; she’s looking out of the window, the wind whipping through her hair. She looks pretty like that, carefree.
“What are you thinking about?”
She turns away from the window, shaking her head. “I just realized I’ve never worked one day without you there. It’s going to be weird.”
“I’m sure you'll live. No one to give you shit about the weird herbal coffee you drink. And you’ll have your parking spot back.”
“Be careful," she says, a teasing smile on her face. "I might get used to it.”
“You can’t get rid of me that easily, sweetheart.”
We pull into the hotel's parking lot and head up to our separate rooms to collect our things. I pack up my work stuff first. I’m sure I can get some stuff done while I’m away from the office .
Once my things are packed, I check out of the hotel and wait for Sam in the lobby. I wonder how she’ll do on the flight. I hope she won't feel sick like she did when we left. I feel uneasy just thinking about it. I walk to the front desk, and the woman at the counter, who can’t be more than Twenty-Two, smiles at me.
“Hi," I say. “Do you happen to have anything for nausea? Like from flying?”
“Sure we do," she says. “Wait right here.” She walks through a door that says ‘employees only’ and comes out a minute later with some pills.
“Here," she says, handing it to me, and I inspect the medicine.
“What is it?” I ask, taking it from her and inspecting the medicine.
“It’s Dramamine. Works wonders for my travel sickness.”
I smile at her, grateful. “Thanks.” I take a seat in one of the chairs while I wait for Sam in the lobby. She emerges through the elevator a few moments later, rolling her suitcase behind her, her work bag on her shoulder.
“Ready?”
“Yep!”
I put everything in the truck and set off for the airport so Sam could catch her flight.
I take my time on the freeway, going the speed limit instead of speeding. If Sam notices, she doesn’t say anything. I think again about her being on the plane and getting sick. I dig in my pocket and hand her the pills that I got from the hotel.
“I got you these.”
She takes them from me and eyes me suspiciously. “You trying to drug me?”
I snort. "Yes, Sam. I’m trying to drug you.” I roll my eyes. “No, it’s just medicine to help with the nausea while flying. ”
“Oh.” She’s quiet for a moment. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. You should take them while you wait for your flight to take off. Just in case.”
“I will, but I could have gotten some at the airport.”
“I know you could have, but thinking about you flying back and getting sick didn’t make me feel so great.”
Sam leans over and kisses my cheek, and my heart starts beating like a fucking drum. With minimal traffic, we make it to the airport in no time. I help Sam take her bags out, setting them in front of her.
“Make sure to take the medicine before you get on the plane," I remind her.
“I will. Thank you again.”
I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close. Her arms are around my neck, and I’m hit with the smell of lavender. I lean down and kiss her lips, gentle and sweet, brushing a piece of her hair behind her ear.
“, let me know how your grandpa is doing.” She sighs and shakes her head. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”
My heart aches. Of course, I want her to stay, but I’m not going to ask that of her. She's had to deal with so much on this trip already, and I can’t ask her to stay any longer just to be there for my family tragedies. “I’m sure. But I’ll keep you updated.”
She nods and kisses me gently. She releases her arms from my neck, and I reluctantly let go of her waist.
“I’ll see you soon.”
“I’ll see you in no time.”
She smiles and walks away, her bag rolling behind her. I watch her walk into the airport and try to ignore the sinking feeling in my chest as I watch her go.