Chapter 71
By the time I step outside, the sun is already dropping.
Aaron is leaning casually against the car, arms folded, his injured arm still wrapped but clearly bothering him less than it should. He straightens when he sees me.
“Good afternoon ma’am.” He greets.
“You know you can call me by my name right p>
“Yes ma’am p>
“So why do you choose to stick to ma’am? It makes me feel older than I am p>
“Well because you are my bosses wife ma’am p>
“Okay now you are just saying it to spite me, please call me by my name Aaron, I would much prefer that p>
“Okay ma’a My bad. Okay Elaine p>
“Good now that’s better, much better p>
“You good?” he asks looking me right in the e eye p>
I nod even though my chest still feels tight. “Yeah. Let’s go p>
He opens the door for me and I slide in, sinking back against the seat. My phone buzzes once in my bag but I ignore it, it’s probably just some stupid app anyway s. The car engine hums to life and we pull away from my brothers house.
We’re quiet for a few minutes. Not awkward kind though.
I stare out the window, watching trees blur past. My head feels heavy, like I didn’t sleep enough even though I know I did.
When Aaron misses the turn.
I sit up. “Uh… that was the turn home p>
“I know p>
I frown. “Aaron p>
He keeps his eyes on the road. “Relax p>
“I know that is used as a comforting word but it’s never really a comforting word,” I say. “Where are we going p>
He exhales through his nose like im ruining his surprise. “To get Ice cream Elaine p>
I blink. “Uhmmmmm What p>
“Ice cream,” he repeats. “You look like crap p>
“No I do not p>
“Yes You do,” he says easily. “And before you argue, you’ve been off all day. You barely ate at breakfast and you keep zoning out. So I’m kidnapping you for ice cream p>
I stare at him for a second, then laugh despite myself. “Do you take ice cream p>
“Yes I do p>
“You are a grown man p>
“Yes I know p>
“A large one at that.” I say while laughing.
“Also yes p>
“And you’re taking me for ice cream p>
He shrugs. “It’s my favorite thing p>
I snort. “That’s embarrassing p>
He grins. “Say that again when you’re licking a cone p>
We pull into a small place tucked between a pharmacy and a nail salon.
Aaron hops out and jogs around to open my door. “Come on p>
Inside, it smells like sugar and vanilla. The air is cold enough to bite. A couple of kids are arguing over sprinkles and an older couple shares a sundae in silence.
Aaron steps up to the counter. “Two cones please p>
The girl behind the counter looks at me. “What flavor p>
I glance at the board. “Chocolate p>
Aaron shakes his head. “Nope p>
I look at him. “Excuse you p>
“Trust me,” he says. “Try mine p>
I narrow my eyes. “I already don’t like where this is going p>
“Just taste it,” he says. “If you hate it, I’ll buy you whatever you want p>
The girl waits, amused.
I sigh. “Fine. What is it p>
He smiles like he’s won something. “Salted caramel p>
I wrinkle my nose. “That sounds… sus Aaron p>
“Just trust me p>
We pay and move to a small table by the window. He hands me my cone first, watching my face like he’s awaiting a verdict from a judge.
I take a cautious lick and pause.
Then another.
I hate that my eyebrows lift.
“Well?” he presses.
“It’s… fine,” I say.
He squints. “That’s not the full truth p>
I sigh. “It’s really good p>
He claps once, loud enough that the couple looks over. “I knew it p>
He holds his hand up. “High five p>
I smack his palm and laugh. It feels good and easy and Normal in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.
We sit there talking about nothing in particular. About how terrible his first job was. About how I once failed a driving test because I forgot to signal. About how ice cream is better at night. Just everything and nothing.
By the time we leave, the sun is almost gone.
Outside, the air feels Warmer. I take two steps out the shop and the ground tilts.
I stop.
Aaron turns immediately. “Hey. You okay p>
I nod too fast. “Yeah. Just give me a second p>
The dizziness comes in waves and my stomach clenches hard, hard enough to make me bend slightly.
“I think I’m going to throw up,” I say.
“What?” he says, already stepping toward me.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell him, already turning. “I need to use the bathroom p>
I barely make it inside before the urge becomes overwhelming powering. I grip the edge of the sink, gag once, then vomit hard. My eyes water and my throat burns. I spit and look down p>
And all I see is red.
“No,” I whisper.
My hands shake as I turn the tap on, rinse my mouth, stare at my reflection. My face looks pale too pale.
I breathe slowly until the room steadies again.
Then I reach into my bag and pull out my phone.
My fingers feel clumsy as I scroll and press call.
“Hi,” I say when the receptionist answers, keeping my voice steady. “I need to book an appointment. For tomorrow if possible p>
She asks questions. I answer them without giving much details.
“Tomorrow midday,” she says. “Does that work p>
“Yes p>
I hang up and rest my hands on the sink, breathing.
When I step back outside, Aaron looks at me like he’s trying not to panic.
“You good?” he asks again.
I nod. “Yeah. Just needed air p>
He studies my face but doesn’t push. “Ready to go p>
“Yeah p>
The drive back is quieter.
The sky is dark by the time we pull in.
I thank him when we stop. “Thank you so much for the ice cream p>
He smiles. “Anytime p>
As I step out of the car, the nausea settles again.
I tell myself it’s nothing even though I know it’s not nothing.