"It looks like they're only testing those who end up admitted and need lifesaving equipment. They aren’t testing everyone at this moment…"
"Even for someone who shows all the symptoms and has asthma?" My words come out choked and harsher than I intend.
"I wish I could give you better news. If your friend gets worse, call a local doctor to get a referral first. Otherwise, I'd stay inside and monitor him closely."
The line is silent for a moment, and I thank the woman, then end the call. Tears pour down my cheeks, and I sob into my hands. My hands are tied, and there's nothing more I can do but watch him.
The cabin’s clean, the pets are fed, and now I'm lonely. I walk upstairs and knock on Eli's door, wanting his company. I sit on the floor and wait, placing my back against the wood.
"Yes?" he asks. It's not quite lunchtime yet, so I'm sure he's wondering what I want.
I rest my head against the door and look up at the ceiling, trying to find the strength to keep it together. "I miss you," I say.
He chuckles, then coughs before responding. "I miss you, too."
"I hate that you’re so close, yet so far away," I admit, thinking back to what Ryan said about his feelings for me. I hear him sit on the floor too. We're back to back with only a few inches of thick wood separating us.
“Me too. What have you been doing today?" He takes several puffs of his inhaler.
"I called the hotline for you to see if we could get a test and…"
"They refused," he finishes. "Amiright?"
"Yes." I grow quiet and close my eyes, wishing this would pass soon.
"I’ll be okay, Cami. I'm already on day five and am on the mend."
I smile. "You don't sound like it."
“Oh really? I heard women really like a man with a raspy voice," he tells me. “I’ve just been practicing to impress you.”
I chuckle and shake my head, appreciating the way he’s trying to lift my spirits. "I'm worried that if you recover and I get it again, then you could be re-infected. I was reading yesterday about someone who tested positive twice. We’ll both just keep passing it to each other, and eventually one of us will get it bad enough to be hospitalized," I say. I know I’m being dramatic, but it’s a possibility.
"When I'm better, we'll wipe down every wall, ceiling, and floor, not leaving a spot untouched. As long as we do our due diligence, we'll be okay. I just have to survive the next week," he breathlessly says.
"My cooking isn't the best, so you’re probably starving," I mock, wanting to get a rise out of him. It works because he laughs. “Bruno wouldn’t even eat my hamburger.” I pout.
“To be fair, he’s a vegetarian,” he states, and I burst out laughing.
“You’re such a liar.” I shake my head. “It was burnt. He probably thought it was mud.”
“I would’ve eaten it,” he says. “I can’t taste for shit anyway.”
Chuckling, I smile and love that we can still communicate like this. If this is as close as we can be, I'll take it. And when he's better, I’ll make it up to him in all the right ways. I miss his touch, his kisses, and the way he looks at me as though I'm his everything. Just the thought of losing him scares me beyond belief.
Chapter Twenty-Four
ELIJAH
DAY 35
It's been twelve grueling days of feeling like shit, but when I woke up this morning, I didn't feel like there was a pillow over my face. Though my back aches from coughing so much, I think the hard part is over, as long as I don't relapse or get pneumonia. I roll over in bed and reach for the thermometer. I place it under my tongue and wait, and I’m shocked to see my fever has finally broke. Thank fuck.
There were a few days when I was worried. My inhaler barely provided any relief, and I almost asked Cameron to rush me to the hospital, but I kept holding on, hoping my body would fight it. When I was at my worst, I told my mother I was sick too. She nearly had a heart attack, but I couldn't keep it a secret just in case something terrible happened.
Mom called Ava, who then insisted on coming to the cabin, but I told her it was best if she didn't and that I’d check in as much as I could. I climb out of bed and go to the window that overlooks a meadow. Fog bellows over the dense grass, and in the distance, I can see the mountains. Instead of going back to sleep, I take a hot shower. Though my skin is sensitive to the touch, the water relaxes me and the steam helps my breathing. Once I’m done, I realize I gave Cami all my clothes.
I forgot I asked her if she could do my laundry yesterday. I only packed one suitcase because I didn't know how long I'd be here. At this rate, I should've taken everything I owned, considering I probably won't be returning home for at least another month. Probably longer, though. Not that I'm complaining because that means more uninterrupted time with Cami.
For the first time in ten days, I leave my bedroom and walk down the hallway with a towel wrapped around my waist. I carefully take the stairs, and when I get to the bottom step, Bruno comes rushing toward me.
"Hey, boy." I smile wide as he tries to jump on me, and I
