"Not so good." I fell back on the bed and my head sunk in a pillow.
He touched my knee. "How so?"
"Queasy."
"You're worrying too much. You're going to be fine. And so is Tom."
"I hope so. I pray so."
"I know so," he whispered.
Then, he crawled over me and kissed my forehead before laying beside me.
"Where's your dad?" I asked.
"Living room with Jason."
"You better leave. He's been giving me strange looks for two days now and I don't want him getting the wrong idea."
He turned toward me. His lips parted.
"I don't want to leave." His eyes shined in the darkness. The kind of shine that came from the heart. "I love you."
I tried to smile. "I love you too."
He crawled over me again.
"No, Felix. I could have the virus."
"It's too late then. And even if it weren't, I'm addicted to you. So, it doesn't matter."
He leaned in and kissed my lips.
"No."
"Why?"
"Roger. He's right out there."
He sighed. "So? He's not coming in here."
"You can't be sure."
He laid beside me and propped up on a pillow. "I'm only watching you. Moma said to just in case you have the virus."
"I'm sure she didn't mean this close."
"I don't care what she meant."
"You never do."
I sat up. My head was spinning. I felt unstable and grabbed the sheets.
"Felix," I said slowly.
He grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes. "What?"
"I feel dizzy like."
"Need some fresh air?" He couldn’t hide the worry, even though he was trying. It was prominent in his eyes. We left the room and walked to the porch – all the while Roger was watching us.
I'm fine. I will start feeling better, I told myself. But the more I said it, the worse I felt. And, as much as I tried to ignore it, I was starting to feel hot.
"Felix, I – " I rushed to the edge and threw up.
"Oh no," the words escaped his mouth. And it was evident to me at that moment that I was sick. And now he was in danger, too.
He helped me to the room and Roger followed us in.
"Call Moma," Felix said and Roger rushed out for the phone.
"I'm scared, Felix. I don't want to go through this again. I don't want to die."
He looked me in the eyes. "Listen to me, Anna. You're going to be just fine. Don't worry about anything. God will take care of you."
I reached for his hand and he grabbed mine.
"You just kissed me," I whispered.
"I know."
When Roger came back, he helped me to the truck. "We're getting you to the hospital," he said.
I hated it. But Felix had to stay home with Jason. And they wouldn’t be allowed near me. By the time we made it to the building, I was worse. A billion times worse. In fact, my skin was on fire. From there, it became foggy. Meaning, I don't remember them placing me on the bed. All I knew was Ella was standing in front of me.
"Everything is going to be okay, darling." Her comforting voice said.
Chapter 25
Recovery and the Truth
When I became aware, I was throwing up over the bed. The feeling was familiar. The creepy kind of familiar. The one that felt like you had lived that exact second of life before.
And not only was I throwing up, but I felt heavy. My body hurt to move. Especially me head. The next time I noticed was my tongue. It was dry and sticking to my mouth. I wanted a drink more than anything. But no one was there, and I couldn't stay awake long enough to hit the red button. Instead, I fell back asleep. Which included nightmares. I was stuck under a tree trying to escape. But I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I screamed for help, but no one was there to help me.
After the nightmare, I was better. Weak. But better.
"LeAnna, how do you feel?" I was Ella.
"Better," I said hoarsely. "What day is it?"
"Wednesday evening."
I groaned. "I missed school. How is Tom?"
"About the same as you and Felix."
"What? Felix? Where is he?"
"He's in the next room. He came down with it Saturday night. The good news is, you're not contagious anymore and the two of you can go home to your comfortable beds."
"Is Tom going home?"
"Yes, he is, too."
She put a cup of water to my lips and I drank. When I woke up again, I was in my own room surrounded by the beautiful cabin walls. I imagined Ella was at the hospital and Roger was here, taking care of Felix and me.
It was Thursday when I finally felt better and was able to sit up.
"You're better today, aren't you?" Ella asked.
"Yes." Even my voice sounded better.
"You rest. Roger will bring you something to eat."
"Ella," I said before she could leave.
"Yes?"
"Have I lost any weight?"
She helped me from bed and took out the scales.
"Ninety-two pounds."
My heart sunk.
"It's okay, darling. You'll gain it back as you become well. Felix and Tom have lost weight, too. But Tom started losing weight before the virus and is now a hundred and twenty-nine pounds. Poor boy, he looks so sick. Felix is alright though."
"May I see Felix?"
"Sure, he's in his room. But if you start feeling weak, go back to bed. I'm heading to work soon but Roger will be here."
I tiptoed to his room and saw Roger reading a book on the couch. Eyes focused. Mouth tight. He always looked serious when he was studying. But when Ella walked by him, his features softened.
"I'll be back this evening," she told him. "LeAnna is feeling better and she's decided to get up."
When I entered his room, he was sleeping. I crept toward him.
"Felix," I whispered.
His eyelids moved.
"It's Anna."
Finally, his eyes opened, and I stared at his compelling eyes. I had missed them.
He tried to smile.
"I'm so sorry," I said.
"It's not your fault." He was nice. Good-natured. He couldn’t be mad at me for this.
"I guess not."
He yawned. "I'm so tired, Anna." He closed his eyes and began
