Page 73 of Conail

"You deliberately chose this particular one to scare the life out of me."

"Why would I do that?" He brushed a finger down her cheek to remove popcorn crumbs.

"Just to be hateful."

"That does not sound like me. We can always switch to something tame. Like Nightmare on Elm Street." He teased.

"Just shut up," she muttered. Settling back on his chest, she grabbed the popcorn and steeled herself for more gore and carnage.

To her credit, she managed to watch the entire movie, amidst screams and burying her head against his neck. He loved watching her watch the movie. She became so involved and would at times forget he was even there.

She was not afraid to cry or laugh or grieve with the female character. He loved having her next to him, feeling her curves this close and the scent of her filling his nostrils. She had finished the popcorn and soda and was stretched out almost on top of him. As soon as that movie was over, he selected another, this one a popular romantic comedy that soon had her sighing at the antics and story of the star-crossed lovers.

His first clue that she had started sleeping was when he did not hear a peep out of her. Tipping his head down, he saw that her eyes were closed, and her lips slightly parted, and she was snoring.

An indulgent smile touched his lips. "Look at you," he whispered. "I thought we were supposed to be necking." Pulling the covers over them, he wrapped his arms protectively around her and followed suit.

*****

He woke up before her and just lay there listening to her gentle snores. Carefully easing his arms from around her, he tucked some cushions under her head and pulled the blankets up to her neck. Ordering the screen off, he left the room and was on his way to the kitchen when his phone rang.

His first thought was not to answer it when he saw the name but changed his mind. The snow was still coming down and everything had the appearance of a white blanket that had been spread.

"Michelle."

"I'm sorry to bother you." Her voice sounded tremulous and uncertain. He had often thought of her as strong and confident and was surprised at how unmoved he was by a voice that had the power to make him weak in the past.

"What is it?"

"Brian is burning up."

"Your son?"

"Yes," she whispered. "I'm alone at the house and Michael is not here." He heard her take a deep breath. "I don't know what to do."

"Have you called a doctor?"

"I cannot get through to anyone and I cannot drive in this blizzard. Oh God, I don't know what to do. I know you're the last person I should be calling--"

"You're right." Hissing out a breath at the silence that followed his words, he stared out the window at the complete whiteout. "Have you tried dousing him in tepid water?"

"I've tried everything. I think it's an ear infection that's causing all of it. Conail, I'm scared."

"Let me see what I can do. I'll call you back." He turned to see Yasmine standing just inside the doorway, with the blanket wrapped around her.

"That was--" He thought about lying to her but dismissed that instantly.

"I heard," she told him quietly. She would wonder how to feel about his ex calling him later but now was not the time. "Her son's ill."

"Yes," he clipped, feeling uncomfortable discussing this with her. "Her husband is out of town. She's scared dammit. I did not ask her to call me, and I don't know why she did."

"That's beside the point. Who can you call? Is she near here?"

He simply stared at her as if wondering what she was thinking. "No." He shook his head. "I have someone--" Picking up the phone, he placed a call and within minutes had the assurance that the doctor would make his way to her. Hanging up, he called Michelle and watched as Yasmine put the kettle on to make tea.

When he finished the conversation, he stayed where he was, leaning on the counter.

"Everything okay?"

---