Page 80 of Sawyer
We were a little melancholy when Sawyer left, so I let the kids relax once we got home yesterday, and I went to work on the vegetable garden, picking some new produce for dinner last night.I was disappointed to see that the tomatoes I planted recently haven’t taken like I thought they would.In fact, they looked a bit sad and droopy, so clearly, they need more water.
After a night full of sugar, Noah refused to eat any vegetable put in front of him, so Kevin and I ate, and then the three of us fell into bed, exhausted.But while they slept, I woke numerous times to triple-check the locks on the doors and windows, putting a baseball bat near my bed.
The luxury of a fearless sleep at Sawyer’s is now a distant memory as I grab a mug and fill it with coffee in the school staff room.I look at the other teachers around me, all talking and eating their amazing lunches, yet the thought of food makes me feel a little nauseous.Maybe because I didn’t have time to eat breakfast this morning and I’m running off fumes.
“So what do you think of things so far?”Victoria’s voice hits me from the phone.
“I love what you’ve done with the new label design.Looks very cool.”
“Sawyer said all our contracts are now done and the new structure is all ready.”
At just the mere mention of his name, I’m grinning like a fool.
“He’s very efficient.”
“Is he now?”she teases, and I roll my lips to hold back a laugh.
“I hear that he’s spending a lot of time up at the farm with you and the boys.And after he hit that guy at the bar over the weekend, I think I saw all the women there swooning.”
I cough out my giggle.I haven’t had a lot of friends in the past few years.All my school friends moved away for college or went their own way, my life with Steve one where I was segregated to just be with him.This girl talk is new, but it feels nice.
“I love having him around.And he’s great with the boys.”
“I’m glad things are working out.It’s nice to see you so happy.”
“I am happy.Things are good.”I still miss Sawyer, but I’m enjoying our time together, however much I can get.
But I guess I spoke too soon about things being good, as I see Kevin staggering into the staff room, looking for me.
“Ahh, Victoria, I need to run.I’ll give you a call tomorrow,” I tell her before we say a quick goodbye and I rush to Kevin.
“Honey?What’s wrong?”I ask him, noticing he looks less himself.
“Ma, I don’t feel well…”
“Oh no, what happened?”He did look a little pale this morning, but I put that down to a sugar hangover.I thought he would be over that by now.
“I feel sick…” is all he says, and as I touch his forehead and cheek, he’s hot and clammy.
“Kevin, you don’t look so good.Not feeling well?”the school principal asks as he steps up next to me, watching.Kevin remains silent but shakes his head.
“I’m so sorry, but I think I need to take him home.”I look at my boss, who nods at me with empathy.
“Might be a good idea.We don’t want anyone to catch a stomach bug or anything.Leave now, and I’ll take over your afternoon classes.”
“Thank you so much.”I’m grateful to have a fantastic boss, who, as a father himself, knows the parenting issues we all deal with.I grab my things and walk Kevin back to his class to grab his bag and let his teacher know, before I bundle him in the car.
“Let me just stop by the drugstore to get some medicine, and then we’ll pick up Noah and head home for a rest.”I give him a soft smile.
I leave Kevin in the car while I dash into the drugstore, grabbing what I think I need, and thank God, I have the cash for it.At the checkout, I start feeling a little queasy myself.But I’ve been feeling off all day.And again, I just put it down to our weekend at Sawyer’s, a different place, different foods, different bed.
Lost in my thoughts, I slip back into the car and momentarily freeze, seeing Kevin talking on my cell phone.
“Who are you talking to?”I frown.Kevin never uses my phone.Not that I would mind, if he ever needed to call his friends or something; it’s just that he never does.
“Sawyer,” he croaks, his voice breaking like he’s dying.My eyebrows rise in surprise at what he says but also dread that he’s feeling so sick.“Here, he wants you.”Kevin thrusts the phone toward me.
“Hey,” I say as I put the keys in the ignition and grab my seat belt, multitasking my main job.
