“It’s fine.” I press onto my elbows and take a sip of the water. “Where were you earlier?” Had she been home when I showed up here in my devastated state, she would have gotten to meet Luna.
“I had a fitting for my gown.” She can barely contain the smile from taking over her entire face. “I still can’t believe this is happening. Wish you had been there. The gown is awe-mazing.”
“I don’t doubt it.” I hand her my water and drop flat to the bed.
“But one of the salesgirls was less than ideal to me,” Miri mumbles.
“Is that your way of saying she was a biotch?”
“I wouldn’t be so rude, but… yes. The shop isn’t in the Quarter. I stayed away from the forbidden zone, and still. I get attitude and nasty glares. It’s ridiculous.” Her hands curl into tight fists. Squeeze and release.
“Sorry.” It’s all I can muster. I’m too pained and exhausted. I close my eyes.
Miri pats my shoulder. “I’m going to let you rest. I’ll check on you later.” She stands, moves toward the door.
“Where’s Grandma,” I ask before she can slip from the room.
“She’s running a quick errand. She’ll be back shortly.” Miri props the door half closed and disappears down the hall.
I succumb to my condition and fall back asleep.
The rest of the day and night pass in a delirious blur. For a portion of the time, Bastian curls on the bed next to me. Grandma and Miri visit me multiple times, but none of the times do I want for much. Nothing, really. Except when I have to hustle to the bathroom. One time, I wake with a start. Grandma is forcing something down my throat, and that, too, has me rushing to the bathroom rather quickly. Of course, I’m not a hundred percent certain that particular incident, or any of them really, wasn’t a wacked-out hallucination. I also recall ripping away at my clothing, and yet, I’m still dressed.
I wake to light dribbling through the windows. I shift and a slow, burning ache warms my temples. I respond with a grunt turned whimper.
Bastian leaps off the bed and dashes from the room. Before that moment, I hadn’t realized he was still in the room with me, watching over me.
His tiny meow sounds once in the hall before falling silent.
I sit up and rub my head. Make no attempt to move any further. The first simple action took more energy than I was expecting. A moment later, shuffles accompanied by a soft thump along the hallway announce Grandma’s approach.
“How are you feeling?” She steps into the room, a sorry smile gracing her lips.
“Like utter dung.” I massage my forehead. “But with far less dung than yesterday.”
“Well then, I would say that is an improvement.” She steps up beside me and presses the back of her fingers to my head. “Fever seems to have broken. That’s good. That’s good. Are you hungry?”
Ugh. Food. The mere thought of food stirs within me the desire to hurl. And yet, my stomach wants for something. It growls like a grumpy beast. “I feel fickle,” I say. “I want for something, and yet I don’t. I doubt I’d be able to keep anything down.”
Grandma presses her lips together tight and nods. “Maybe a shower to freshen up then. Miri left you a change of clothing in the bathroom.”
“Maybe.” Hot water pelting my skin does sound rather delicious.
“And afterwards, we can try a combination of ice chips, crackers, and broth.” She extends her hand to help me stand. I accept but don’t apply any of my weight in the action. Not that I don’t trust Grandma’s sturdy strength, but… I don’t want to end up yanking her on top of me.
She accompanies me to the bathroom. Even turns on the water for me.
One glance in the mirror tells me I don’t want any further knowledge of my state. I clearly look like something that just clawed its way out of a deep grave.
I’m familiar with the bathroom and the placement of everything, so Grandma excuses herself and I eagerly, but slowly, shed my attire and slip beneath the welcoming spray of water. Decide I want to stay there within its beautiful caress forever.
Of course, I don’t.
I eventually get out, get dressed, and get myself downstairs to the kitchen.
Miri and Grandma are sitting at the table. Grandma is nursing a warm coffee, and Miri is sipping on a fugly green juice. I cringe and try not to stare at the liquid. It makes my stomach all sorts of unhappy.
“I trust the shower helped, if only a little?” Grandma rises from the table and moves deeper into the kitchen.
I drag myself forward and drop into a chair. Throw my arms out over the table and rest my head. “A little,” I mumble.
“Try some of this. It may help you regain some strength.” Grandma sets a tray down next to me. I peek through partially closed eyelids. It appears to be the things she promised me, ice chips, crackers, and broth. Plus, something else. A liquid that resembles neither water nor juice.
“What is that?” I motion, ever slightly, to the drink.
“A mixture of water and Gatorade.” She returns to her seat at the table. “Water alone will not replenish your body of all the necessities you lost yesterday.”
I mumble a sound of reluctant acceptance. Turn my head and gaze at Miri. “What are you drinking?”
“It’s all natural,” she says, lifting the glass from the table. “A mixture of healthy greens to keep my body strong.” She takes a sip.
“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” I blurt.
Miri chokes on her drink. Coughs and sprays
