Page 31 of Kickoff

Melinda looked at her device and giggled, the sound a melody to my ears. A tinge of pink colored her otherwise grayish complexion. “Nurse Pierce?”

I grinned. “Yep. Now, if you are a nice enough patient, I’ll reward your behavior.”

Her eyes lit up. “And what’s the prize?”

I pushed my hands into my pockets. “Not sure yet. It depends on how good a girl you are and how much you listen to Nurse Pierce’s orders.”

“And what if I don’t?”

“Then that’s for you to find out.”

9

Just for the record, I always wrap it up

We moved to the kitchen, and I rummaged through the cabinets to find glasses. Unlike the kitchen at my house which was all wood and dark tones, the Shepards’ was bright. The white cabinets and floor contrasted with the slate-gray hue of the countertops and the stainless-steel appliances. A panoramic window ran along the entire length of the countertop between the refrigerator and the oven and offered an unobstructed view of the backyard. After they moved in, the Shepards had done some home-improvements, and the house that once belonged to my childhood best friend was similar but different from the one I remembered.

“I love what you guys have done to this place.” I poured us both some water and put hers on the kitchen island. “Drink this. I’m sure you wanna get rid of that horrible taste.”

Melinda stood still, her eyes fixed on me, but her mind seemingly miles away.

“Mel? Did you hear a word I said?”

She blinked. “Huh… Sure.”

“You really sure?”

“Yeah. All good. It’s weird having you here in my kitchen.” In a slow perusal, her eyes trailed over the length of me before locking on my face. She seemed to enjoy whatever she’d seen because a ghost of a smile tipped up her lips.

I felt self-conscious under her attention. “Happy to know you have a nurse fixation.”

She shook her head but stopped, pressing both sides of her skull with her hands. “New rule. No joke. It hurts.” She took a sip of water and glanced at the staircase. “I think I’ll lie down before I take a shower. I’m spent.” Before she could reach the stairs, she bent forward, holding her abdomen. “Ouch. It hurts so bad. Like someone is stabbing me with a super sharp, burning knife.”

I neared her in three strides. “Do you wanna sit?”

She motioned no with her head, covering her stomach with both hands and taking deep breaths in.

“Want me to drive you to the clinic?”

Again, she shook her head. “It’ll be over soon.”

I surveyed every detail of her face, trying to find clues to an illness that could explain her pain, but came out empty. “How long has this been going on?”

“Not so long.” She clenched her jaw and closed her eyes. “It’s fading now.” She straightened after a few seconds, forcing a tiny curl to her lips.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. I will be. My stomach is all over the place right now. Don’t worry.”

“Go to bed. Please take some medicine for the fever. It will be useful for that headache. If you don’t, I’ll stick a thermometer into⁠—”

Her eyes rounded, worry playing on her features.

“Your mouth.”

“Oh.” She relaxed her shoulders and nodded slowly.

“Glad to know you have a dirty mind in addition to a nurse fixation.”