He turned away a bit to avoid looking any further. “Oh,” he mumbled. “I’ll go...get...some...” He’d go buy some. Or find some. This was too much.
How had Gabriel... No. Don’t think about what Gabriel saw when he spent so much time with her in the bathroom. Don’t...
She pouted her lips while she thought. So cute. “I was wondering if I should wash my hair, but is there a hat? Or something else?”
Good idea. It would save some time. “I’ll find something,” he said and then he snapped his fingers with an idea. “I’ll be right back.”
She shut the door on him.
He left the bedroom, shut that door, and then leaned against it. He rolled his head back, closing his eyes.
Purple...cotton...bikini cut...
He groaned and then shook off the thoughts.
He raced through the house, through the front door and out into the lawn.
No real need to run, but he was feeling good. She seemed in a good mood. Despite the scary week she’d had, and the rough time, she was in good spirits. She’s such a sweetheart. Bounces back so brilliantly.
Sean jumped the steps to the front door of Kota’s house, reached for the doorknob.
He paused. It was still early, and there was no reason to scare anyone by just barging into the house. He knocked and then rang the doorbell and waited.
The dog barked inside. Little Jessica answered the door, bleary-eyed behind her pink-framed glasses. She was still in her pajamas. “Oh,” she said to him. “Should I get Kota?”
“I don’t think he’s here, but could you do me a favor? Do you have like a hair band type thing? I’ve seen your mom wear it before. An elastic one to keep hair out of your eyes while washing your face? Or for running? And can you grab some makeup remover?”
Jessica thought about it, nodded, left the front door open and walked toward the hallway. “I’ll be right back.”
She was so awesome. Never even thought to ask why he needed any of it. Sean stepped inside out of the cold, closing the door.
Max padded over from the kitchen. The retriever sat at his feet, panting happily. Sean gave him a scratch behind his ear. It was mostly quiet. Erica usually came out to say hello, but when she didn’t, he realized Jessica was on her own today.
When Jessica came back, she held out a black-and-white striped headband and a blue bottle of liquid. “Will these work?”
“Perfect,” he said as he took them. “You’ll be okay by yourself here?”
“A friend is picking me up in a couple of hours. We’re going to the mall.”
He was almost envious of her having a relaxing day at the mall. Sean waved goodbye to Jessica. “Be safe.”
“Are you going to be around for Kota’s birthday?”
Oh crap. Kota’s birthday. He corrected his smile, hoping she hadn’t noticed him faltering as he was trying to remember what day it was. “Oh...yeah. We’ve got a surprise for him.”
“With makeup remover?”
He laughed. “No, that’s for Sang.”
She brightened. “Is she planning something?”
“Sure is.” He winked at her. “Don’t tell Kota. Okay?”
Jessica closed the door on him, and he could hear her skipping through the house.
Kota. Crap. His birthday.
Now he’d have to come up with something for Sang. She had enough to deal with, but she wouldn’t want to miss it. He’d have to think about what they could do.
Especially if she was stuck in that house with Carol.
Pulse
SANG
––––––––
The headband Dr. Green brought me covered most of my hair. The rest I made into a messy bun that I held together with a clip.
The makeup I managed to wipe off, and I got the eyelashes off. It took so much effort that my face felt raw and my eyes felt weird. I wondered if I should have just stuck it out and worn the makeup for the day. I wasn’t sure how girls did it, but was sure it was mostly my inexperience.
The pajama shirt’s soft material was nice, but part of me was too anxious to enjoy it. The dress hanging in the bathroom waited for me. I didn’t totally dislike it, but it represented a new reality for me, one that I was slow at accepting. Even if I had time off from them like this, I’d always have to be ready.
If Carol went to the diner, looking for me...
If Jimmy went to the diner...
I tried to stop playing out the hundreds of different scenarios that might happen. I trusted that the others would notify me if anything changed.
I sat on the leather couch in the living room. My feet were under my body, and I curled up as comfortably as I could.
Sean sat next to me on the couch in the middle. He placed a leather kit on the coffee table and pulled out a blood pressure cuff, stethoscope and other supplies.
He bent toward me, looking at my face, smiling. “Ready for your close-up?”
I giggled.
He gave me an eye and made a face. “Stop. Before I start.”
I swallowed back the urge to giggle anymore.
He started by checking my eyes and asking me questions.
While he remained professional, each touch lingered. His playful expression never faded. Every look, every moment with him, I wanted to giggle, but I held it as best as I could.
Nathan eventually came in, wearing only a pair of jeans and a red tank shirt that accentuated his arms and shoulders. He sat on the floor across the coffee table.
His reddish hair appeared wet, as if he’d showered, but I hadn’t heard the shower running. He watched while I was asked various questions about the week at camp.
I shared looks with him on occasion, but often, he stared at the table or at Dr. Green. He had dark circles under his eyes and leaned heavily on the coffee table. I imagined he hadn’t slept very well, much like the rest of us.
I’d gotten used to sleeping and staying at his house. It was odd to be back, and still not yet back at all.
“You ate mostly Pop Tarts all week?” Nathan finally asked. “You should have said something. We could have gotten you something better.”
Dr. Green chuckled. “It was camp. You’re lucky I didn’t eat s’mores all week.”
“Pop Tarts and that mocha coffee would be a lot of sugar right in the morning,” Nathan said.
“Your blood pressure is low,” Dr. Green said to me. He took out a vial and needle. “And from what I remember, every time I’ve checked, it’s been on the low side. Low blood pressure... spikes in your sugar every morning... high stress...”
My cheeks heated. I didn’t want to hide the thought that the shower had triggered something that caused me to faint. I stared at my knees. “I fainted before at Victor’s house, trying to take a shower.”
Sean reached for my hand, drawing it toward his body to hold close, and getting my attention so I was looking at him. “You, sweetheart, have had a lot of crazy things happen to you, yes. However, I don’t think the shower by itself is completely to blame for the fainting. You fainted before outside of the shower areas, remember?”
“At gym,” Nathan said before I could. “While she was doing exercises.”