Page 40 of Shit Happens in Ivydell

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“The sign. The flowers. For just being you.”

“Don’t forget making you dig holes in the desert when you feel like shit.”

She always makes me laugh. “I appreciate that most of all.”

“Do you need medicine? Soup?”

“No. Just rest.”

“Okay, but if you need anything, call me. I really don’t mind going to the store for you.”

“You have paint in your hair.”

“I’ll take a shower first.”

“Go take your shower. But you don’t need to go to the store.”

“Call me if I do.”

She steps closer to kiss me on the cheek. Then she puts her hand on my forehead to check me for a fever like I’m a little kid. That annoys the piss out of me, so I pull my head back out of her reach. I smell mint. She’s sweaty. Her hairs a mess. But she still smells good.

“Okay. I can take a hint. I’ll leave you alone to be sick and cranky.”

I watch her walk away. There is a voice telling me to call her back, but I know I need to let her go.

I’m no good for anybody right now.

But for her, I want to be.

Her toe catches on a rock, and she stumbles. I’m halfway to the road before I realize she didn’t fall. She’s fine. Never looks back. Has no idea I was running to help her.

I’m always going to want to run to her. To catch her. Protect her.

The moment I saw her, I knew she was full of complications.

And I ran headfirst into them. Eyes wide-the-fuck-open. I knew. I knew exactly what was going to happen as soon as I asked her if she was lost, and she looked at me with those eyes.

I was the one who was lost. But I was supposed to find her.

It’s time to find me again.

Ivy

Don't Blink

I can’t sleep. Ikeep thinking I should text Jensen to check on him, but he recoiled when I touched his forehead to see if he had a fever. He hated that. I’m guessing he wouldn’t love a well check in the middle of the night, either. I hope he’s sleeping. And doesn’t have a fever.

Dammit. I hate knowing he’s a jerk when he’s sick. Why are the best people always the worst when they’re sick?

Mom says it’s true about injuries, too. The patients who are the hardest to deal with when they come into the ER are sometimes the most grateful by the time they leave. It’s usually the ones accustomed to taking care of other people, so it’s hard for them to accept they’re not in charge of their own situation.The people who are always looking ahead, trying to plan and keep the path clear for everyone else, to protect the people they love.

When they get hurt or sick, they feel like they’ve failed, even when they had no fault at all in their own injury or illness.

I get it, but it still pisses me off. He should’ve let me help him. Now I’m wide awake and doom-scrolling when I should be sleeping.

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