Page 134 of If You Love Me

After practice, she comes out of the locker room, dragging her bag behind her.

“You okay, kiddo?” I ruffle her hair.

“My tummy feels yucky,” she mumbles.

“Let me carry your bag. Maybe you’re hungry? Did you eat all your lunch?”

She shakes her head. “I didn’t feel like pizza today.”

Pizza is her favorite. She loves leftovers for lunch the next day. “Should we grab something from the snack bar on the way out? It might help.”

She shrugs. “Okay. Is Roman coming over?”

“He should be at our place around seven.”

“Do you think he’ll read me stories tonight? He always does different voices for the characters.”

“I’m sure he will.” We stop at the concession stand. “Do youfeel like a hot dog?”

She wrinkles her nose. “Maybe just some pretzels.”

“Okay. And how about a ginger ale?”

I pay the teenager working the cash register and tuck the snacks into my purse until we’re in the car. Callie is quiet on the ride home, but she polishes off the pretzels and half the can of soda. As soon as we get on the elevator, she buries her face against my stomach. “I really don’t feel good, Lexi.”

I smooth her hair back. “Maybe you’re coming down with something.”

She’s been tired the past couple of days, falling asleep in the middle of a story. I chalked it up to all the stuff going on in our lives. But maybe it’s more than that. I bend and press my lips to her forehead. “You’re warm. Let’s get you into the condo, and we’ll take your temperature.”

I barely have her in the door before she throws up all over the wall. Exorcist style. And promptly bursts into tears. I get it. I want to do the same.

“Lexi, I feel really awful,” Callie moans.

“I know, honey.” I hustle her down the hall to the bathroom, and she unleashes the demons in her stomach while I hold her ponytail and rub her back.

“Lexi! What the heck happened in the hallway!” Fee shouts.

“Callie’s not well!” I call back as another round of heaving begins.

But there’s nothing left in Callie’s stomach, so she just keeps retching and crying.

“Oh wow. Someone has the flu.” Roman’s voice brings equal parts relief and anxiety.

I don’t know if he has the best or worst timing. I’m over here holding myself together with duct tape and a prayer.

“Lexi, angel?” He appears in the doorway. He’s wearing a suit, looking far too put together for this nightmare.

“Can you grab us a glass of water, please? She’s dry heaving.”

“Absolutely. I’ll be right back.” He returns seconds later with a glass of water. “Give your mouth a rinse, kiddo,” he instructs Callie.

She spits the water out, then does it again and follows with a small sip.

“Don’t guzzle it, even if you want to, okay? A little at a time.” He looks to me. “Do you want me to take over here or would you like me to tackle the hall?”

I shrug and shake my head. Neither seems appealing.

“I’ll deal with the hall and come back to check on you.” At least one of us can make decisions.

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