Lucky Number Four (41 page)

I’m drifting in and out of sleep when the
phone rings. This time, it’s my mom.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetie.” I hear my
dad yelling the same thing in the background. “What exciting plans
do you have tonight?”

Should I tell the truth? Hell no. She’ll get
in the car and drive here, and that’d be terrible for everyone.
I’ll have to lie and hope she buys it.

“Jeff and I are ordering a pizza and then
watching romantic comedies all night. What are you and Dad
doing?”

“We have dinner reservations. Bridget is out
with her friends, and Taylor is going out with—honey, what’s her
name again? Skye, that’s it. We haven’t met her yet, but he says
she’s nice. And we think Bridget has a crush on someone, but she’s
not telling. I wish you’d find a nice guy, not like that jerk you
dated for three years. I never liked him. He had beady eyes. Well,
you and Jeff have a nice time. While you’re looking for a nice guy,
find one for Jeff too. He needs to find happiness. Love you,
sweetie.”

That went well. Lie told and believed. So why
do I feel dejected? Everyone has a life but me. I can’t even go out
looking for anyone with this bug, so I guess I’ll have to wait it
out.

What am I saying? I’m still into Drew, and
who knows when I’ll get over him.

Depressed now, I switch on the boob tube
again and find a movie that isn’t a freaking romance. It’s about
the end of the world. Yes, definitely a more fitting choice.

I wake up the next morning with the
television is still on. Jeff must not have come home, or he
would’ve turned it off.

I get up to go pee and my stomach instantly
rebels. I make it to the bathroom with seconds to spare. I’m so
over this. I can’t afford to be sick any longer. I need to go back
to school and work. I pull myself up from my sitting position on
the floor and barely make it to the bed without falling. I cram a
Saltine in my mouth and down a sip of water. I’ll just have another
nap.

“Are you sure she’s okay?” I hear Julie’s
anxious voice.

“She’s just sick. I checked on her all day
yesterday and last night, but I didn’t disturb her when I came home
this morning since she was sleeping. She needs rest.” Jeff sounds
defensive, and I really don’t have the energy to get involved with
this discussion.

“You stayed out all night? What if she had
fucking died?” Julie isn’t happy. No, she’s not.

“Jules, calm down. Jeff is taking good care
of her.” It’s Kevin, the peacemaker.

“He should’ve called me yesterday. I could’ve
taken care of her.”

“Yeah, right. It was Valentine’s Day.” Jeff’s
getting offensive now.

“Okay, all three of you please talk quietly.
I’m trying to get better here.” I finally open my eyes.

“Aww, honey, how are you feeling?” Julie
grabs my hand like I’m on my way out.

“Just peachy, especially for someone that has
the stomach flu. Maybe you guys should sanitize yourselves and stay
away from me. I don’t want anyone else to suffer through this. What
am I saying? Julie you’re pregnant. Get out of here. Go wash your
hands and leave. You can’t get sick.”

I begin to worry that I may have sat up
quickly when a queasy feeling washes over me, and yep, you guessed
it. I didn’t make it to the toilet this time. Jeff is there,
holding my hair and clucking like a mother hen.

“She’s right. Don’t worry, I won’t leave her
until she’s better, so you two leave now.”

I can’t open my eyes. I’m so tired. Jeff
helps me back into bed.

The room is dark when I wake up again. I
guess Jeff was able to convince Julie and Kevin to leave, since I
find myself here alone. My clock says it’s nine, and I’m
thirsty.

Turning on the lamp, I see my water supply is
nil. I grab a cracker and slowly sit up in the bed, swing my legs
to the side of it, and drop my feet to the floor. So far, so good.
Stomach isn’t rolling.

I stand up as Jeff walks in the door. My eyes
meet his while I try to balance myself and I send him a weak smile.
I suddenly feel dizzy and Jeff’s image begins to blur. I hear his
voice ring out when I feel myself stagger before collapsing to the
floor, and then nothing.

“Ms. Phillips? Dora, can you hear me? Please
open your eyes.”

I don’t know this male voice, and my eyes
can’t open because it’s too bright.

“Dora, wake up. It’s me, Jeff.”

Duh, Jeff. My mouth is so dry and my head is
throbbing. I wish they would turn off the lights.

“Jeff, turn off the lights.” I’m croaking
like a frog, wonderful.

“Ms. Phillips, I’m Dr. Banner. You gave your
boyfriend and us quite a scare. You probably have a little headache
from the bump on the head. Nurse, dim the lights so Ms. Phillips
can focus on us.”

Boyfriend? Does he mean Jeff?

“Okay, it’s safe to open your eyes now.” The
doctor’s voice is smooth and calming, and I do as he asks.