Page 58 of Georgia: Britain's Story: Part 1
“Ugh. yeah. Just a migraine, one second.” I hear the sound of the toilet flushing and she opens the door. Her eyes are puffy and watery, her face pale. Crap, my heart lurches, I’ve never been worried about someone else’s health like this before. I’ve never had a partner where I wish I could take every pain and hurt away from her.
“Want me to get you water? Tylenol?” She heads straight for the sink, splashing water on her face and rinsing with mouthwash before responding.
“Do you have a big t-shirt I could just throw on? Other than that, just a dark room and quiet. At breakfast, I’ll eat some crackers with ginger ale so I can take my migraine medicine. I get these once a month. There’s not much to do but try and sleep it off until the medicine kicks in. Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Baby, don’t be sorry.” I grab a MS Group t-shirt from the stack and help slip it on over her head. She heads back to bed, lying down and curling into the fetal position. It hurts me to see her hurting. I look at my phone,5:30. No use going back to sleep. I slip on a pair of sweatpants and grab my phone off the charger before going around to her side of the bed.
“I’m going downstairs. Call or text if you need anything, and I’ll go pick up ginger ale once the gas station opens, okay?” She just nods, eyes pinched closed. I kiss the top of her head, moving the golden hair off her face.
I make a coffee before heading into my office on the main level. Damn, if she’s not feeling well, this puts a damper on my plans for the weekend. Sandy and I were hoping to surprise her with some line dancing at Colton’s tonight as a little farewell from Rick, and my mom, and Jim.
Sandy should be up. She opens the coffee shop at 6:00 A.M., may as well let her know now.
Liam
Britain has a migraine, I don’t think she’s going to be able to make it tonight.
Sandy
Poor babe. She need anything? I can send Jim.
Pretty sure my mom wasn’t lying when she said she’d disown me for Britain. She’s the new favorite child.
I think we’re good. I’m going to get some ginger ale from the 76 once they open.
Okay, stop by here when you do. Need to talk to you.
Great. I grab my keys, throw on a sweatshirt, and text Britain I’m going to go get her ginger ale.
“Hey, Bubba.” Sandy walks around from the back counter, handing me a box.
“What’s this?”
“Fresh croissants, for Britain. Jim’s testing out a new recipe.” I nod,of course.
“Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?” I hold up the box in question, but she just shakes her head and motions for me to sit down at a table.
“You’ll never guess who called me yesterday, Julie Scala.” I cringe at the name. Matt’s mom, Constantine’s wife.
“You’re right, would’ve never guessed that. What’d she want?” I ask, suspicious.
“Well, essentially a place to stay. Said she’s finally leaving Constantine.” If I was drinking coffee right now, I would have spit it out.
“Uh, I’m surprised to hear that. Not that she’s leaving, but that she’s actually doing it.” Their marriage has been on the rocks from the day they said ‘I do.’
“Same,” Sandy says, shaking her head in disbelief.
“So, why did you need to talk to me about this?”
“Well, she wanted me to ask you if your garage apartment was going to be available anytime soon.”Not for her, no.
“Not before Britain leaves, but even then, she has four adult sons. Why can’t she stay with them? Or, I don’t know, in a hotel?” I’m shaking my head. Julie is like the original Tori, a deranged manipulator.
“I know. I told her I’d ask, but that you already have a tenant and I don’t know when they’re vacating.” She pauses, “Is Britain really leaving on the sixth?”
“Yeah, she has to. The girls’ semester ends.” I shrug, hating that she’s leaving, but knowing she has to. Sandy just nods her head.
“Did you tellhimabouther?”No. Damn.
