“Yeah,” he said. “Well, it’s not something I share with strangers. Plus, it’s kind of new.”
“Can I help?” I asked, surprising even myself. From the look on Sean’s face, he was overwhelmed and had been for days. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
“Help?” he repeated.
“It’s tough taking care of a sick kid.” I shrugged. “I just wondered if maybe I could help. My mother’s a nurse, so I have some experience in this area.”
“Sure,” Sean said. He eyed me suspiciously, but stepped aside all the same. He held open the front door for me, and I walked inside.
I looked around slowly. The living room was nice, with a couch and two chairs plus a fireplace. It was even smaller on the inside, but I could see why Sean lived there now. It had a specific kind of charm.
“Where is she?” I asked.
“In her room,” Sean said, gesturing toward the hallway. “This way.”
We walked down the hallway together, Sean slightly in front of me.
“Let me see if she’s awake,” he said. I stopped and waited while Sean went inside his daughter’s room. I could hear him whispering to her and then his soft footsteps as he came back to the hallway. He poked his head out and motioned for me to go inside.
“Hi,” I said, walking over to the little girl. She was half tucked beneath blankets, but her eyes locked on mine instantly. She looked exactly like her father. It took my breath away to see a miniature version of Sean lying there in front of me. “I’m Tara. What’s your name?”
“Paisley,” she said weakly. She didn’t look shy, but I could tell from her voice that she wasn’t feeling well.
“Well, Paisley,” I smiled. “I’m not a doctor or anything, but I think I can help you feel a little better.”
“You can?” she asked.
“I can,” I said, smiling wider. “Sean, will you get her a cold wash cloth please?”
“I’ve been giving her one on and off,” Sean said. “But her fever hasn’t really gone down.”
“That’s normal,” I said. “Is she throwing up?”
“A few times.”
“Probably just the flu,” I said. “Just get that wash cloth, okay?”
“Okay,” Sean said. He looked at me and hesitated before he hurried out of the room. I turned back to Paisley and brushed her hair off her forehead.
“You feel pretty bad, huh?” I asked.
“Not as bad as I did,” Paisley said. “I’m just really tired and icky.”
“I’m sure you are,” I said with sympathy. “Why don’t you turn over on your side, okay? It’ll make your tummy feel better.”
“It will?” she asked, her eyes widening.
“It will,” I promised. “Here, let me help you.”
I reached over and helped Paisley turn onto her side. She tucked her hands under head and looked up at me. This was a trick my mother taught me when I was a little girl. There was something about lying on your side that helped relieve pressure on your stomach. It always helped me feel less nauseous.
“Is that a little better?” I asked.
“I think so,” Paisley said.
I looked around the room and frowned.
“I think we should convince your dad to move the T.V. in here. What do you think? You can watch movies. I bet you’ve been pretty bored in here.”
“Sean’s been reading me stories and stuff,” Paisley shrugged. “But a movie would be better.”
I smiled, taking note of the way she called him “Sean” instead of Dad. I wanted to ask questions, but I knew it wasn’t my place. I didn’t even know what compelled me to go inside. In that moment, I just knew I wanted to help. Sean looked so defeated that I couldn’t help but feel for him.
“Here you go,” Sean said as he hurried back into the room. “One cold wash cloth.”
“Perfect,” I said. I took it from him and laid it gently on Paisley’s forehead. “Hold this here. I’ll talk to him about the T.V.”
“T.V.?” Sean asked. He raised his eyebrows when I turned to face him.
“Paisley and I were talking,” I explained. “And it seems that she’s a little bored all cooped up in here. I was thinking you could move the T.V. in here? That way she can watch movies or something.”
“That’s actually a really good idea,” Sean smiled. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” I shrugged. I sat with Paisley while Sean set the T.V. up in her room. He put on a movie and kissed her forehead. I told Paisley goodbye and let Sean lead me back to the front door.
“I’m sorry about work,” Sean said once we were back out on the porch. “I can come in tomorrow if I need to.”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday,” I reminded him. “Just take care of Paisley. Call me when she’s feeling better, and we’ll set something up, okay?”
“Thank you,” Sean smiled. It was the first time I could remember seeing a real smile on his face. “You were really good with her.”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” I said. “Just keep her on her side and give her a ton of water. She’ll be better in no time.”
“I will,” Sean promised. “And really, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I smiled and turned toward the driveway. When I reached my car, I turned back around to wave. Sean waved back and watched as I climbed behind the wheel. In that moment, I realized I hadn’t been fair to Sean. There was much more to him than I ever imagined.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sean
“Are you sure you’re ready to go back?” I asked as Paisley packed her bag for the day. She looked up at me with an expression I was beginning to recognize: half disdain, half annoyance.
“Yes,” she said. “I promise. I feel perfect.”
“Okay,” I sighed. “Well, you only have a week left of swim camp so you won’t have to go much longer.”
“I know,” she said. “You don’t have to remind me.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Aren’t you ready for a little break, though?”
“Why would I be?” she asked with attitude. I opened my mouth to speak but quickly changed my mind. Now that Paisley felt better, she also talked to me more. It was exciting and new, but it meant I had to deal with her little girl sass far too often.
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “Forget I said anything. Just have fun today, okay? And take it easy.”
“I feel fine,” she insisted.
“You say that now, but when you puke in the pool—”
“Sean!” I laughed as she looked at me in horror. “That’s not funny!”
“It was a little funny,” I argued. “Now, get going. Your ride is here.”
“Bye,” she said. She waved and hurried out the front door.
“See you later!” I called after her.