But I couldn’t tell the truth. Because if I did, what would happen?
Before anything else could be said, Roger rounded the corner of the house.
Felix dropped his hands from my shoulder.
"I think it's time to eat," Roger said. "Come wash your hands." And he went inside the house.
I wanted to cry. My eyes burned. And my chest hurt. It was the lying. And I knew I couldn’t defend myself anymore. Pretending that I was doing the right thing. No, I was doing the easy thing. Keeping this secret from Felix was a lie.
Felix sighed. "I – I'm sorry, Anna. Let's talk about this later." He tugged my hand and we walked in. As we ate, Roger kept glancing at us. Enough that it had become uncomfortable. I wondered what he was thinking. And I was beginning to guess he didn't like Felix and I being together. But why?
Chapter 24
The Virus
After lunch Felix left with Roger to help a close neighbor with outdoor work. And I decided to help Ella with house chores. After wiping the tables, the phone rang, and Ella answered it. Soon, she called my name. And there was a panicky edge to her voice.
"I've got to go to Jane's, something is wrong with Tom."
She rushed around the house. Her room. The bathroom. She grabbed whatever she thought would be useful and stuffed it in a bag. Jason and I watched her. And I was saying a prayer.
"You two can come," Ella said, leading the way to the car. We climbed in and she drove hurriedly.
"Tom's running a serious fever and he's throwing up. Jane said he's unconscious."
Tears threatened my eyes. I was just with him. Reading. Laughing. All yesterday. What could have happened in such a short time?
The drive, which was only a few miles up the road felt longer this time. But when the car stopped, Ella rushed towards the house. Sarah, worried, was on the porch. Jason and I went over.
"I’m so scared. Tom's never been this sick before." She had been crying. Her eyes and cheeks were red.
"When did he start showing problems?" I asked.
"Last night. He said he didn't feel right. This morning he said he was dizzy and hot. And then all the sudden he fell. Mother helped him to bed and then the fever just grew and now he's been throwing up."
"Jason, stay with Sarah," I said. "I want to see him." I slipped through the door, unnoticed. Gary was praying in the hallway. I tiptoed up without disturbing him. And Ella and Jane were discussing something by the door. Then, Ella went in and took Tom's temperature.
I watched. He didn't have his shirt on and there was water on his face. Well, it looked like water, but it was sweat. He was burning up.
"I noticed before this that his appetite changed, and he wouldn't eat much. He's lost a notable amount of weight. And for a boy his age and size, I thought that was strange," Jane explained.
"That can be common in teens," Ella reassured. "So, that may be unrelated to the problem at hand but it's good to keep in mind. The bad news is, if he hasn't been eating well before, then his body won't have what it needs to fight this thing off." She turned toward Tom. "Tom, can you hear me? It's Ella."
He didn't move. His chest was moving a lot. Up and down. Quickly.
Jane turned and saw me.
"Wait out, LeAnna," Ella said and I left, joining Sarah and Jason on the porch. And not long after, Ella came outside.
"He's going to the emergency room," she said. Jane came out with a bag. Her face was crinkled with fear.
Ella turned toward her. "I'll disinfect the house. Everyone else needs to take hot showers. But from what I've gathered Tom's been staying in his room and away from everyone."
Jane nodded. "Yeah, he hasn’t come out. Not even to eat. He did come out yesterday when he and – " She stopped and looked at me. "He and LeAnna were hanging out reading yesterday."
Gary came out with Tom. He was sweaty. Eyes shut. The dark skin still circling his eyes. I watched him go by and prayed, as Gary carried him to the car. And now I was worried about something else.
"LeAnna, let's get you home and in a hot shower," Ella said.
We drove out after the Blanks and Ella made sure I sat in the back away from Jason. It was best to be separated. The sickness was said to be contagious. Even Tom would have to be quarantined after he was better. I thought, if I was a carrier, would Felix be one too? I didn't think about it at first. But then I remembered the kiss yesterday.
Roger and Felix were back. Ella rushed me to the shower and then told the others what was going on.
"Be praying LeAnna doesn't have the virus. I'm going to head to the hospital now to meet the Blanks. Watch her closely. The first sign will be a fever and dizziness."
After my shower, Ella was gone. I went to my room and sat on my bed in the dark. I didn't want the lights on. I even closed the curtains. I was afraid. For Tom. For me. And possibly Felix.
Felix came to my room.
"Don't come too close," I warned.
He did anyway. "It doesn't matter now, love. I kissed you yesterday." He sat next to me.
He had never called me that before. Love. I liked it. I wanted to smile. But I couldn't. In fact, I felt sick. I knew it was probably my mind.
He played with a strand of my
