Because nothing else mattered when we were together, especially not the world or its limitations and boundaries.
32. Pads
Rina’s nails dug into my bicep, right before she made a little sound of discomfort from next to me. She had her right cheek pressed on my shoulder, and just as I turned my head to look at her, she made that sound again.
“Hey, you okay?” I asked with a frown.
She let go of my arm and excused herself, and I set her iPad next to me on the bed as I watched her head into the bathroom and shut the door behind her.
We were watchingPokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution. She’d suggested it, of course, but I’d sensed her distraction from the moment we’d sat down to watch the movie.
She was supposed to go to the shop, but didn’t because she’d gotten her period. I only knew about it because I’d seen Mr. Ribeiro asking her to stay at home and get some rest while he opened shop instead. I’d just walked into the house after a coffee run when I’d seen them. Rina was hunched over the kitchen counter eating waffles and breakfast cream with a look of pain on her face, and Mr. Ribeiro was standing next to her. Only when she nodded in agreement to what he’d said, did he leave her and head upstairs to his room.
I’d managed to make my escape before he could see me, though, because the last thing I wanted was for him to incinerate my ass with his signature glare.
I sighed and glanced at the bathroom, then wiggled my toes in frustration.
I knew Rina was in pain, and I wanted to help her. I didn’t know how, but I wanted to help nonetheless.
With another peek at the bathroom, I huffed and grabbed my phone.
Me:You know any home remedies for period pain?
She responded after a couple of minutes.
Mama Llama:Dark chocolate, lemon tea with sugar, eucalyptus oil over the navel and pelvic areas.
Me:You rock, Mom.
Mama Llama:Oh, I know, hon:)Tell Rina I said hi.
I chuckled.
Me:Will do.
Mama Llama:Love you, sweetie. I’m in the middle of a session right now, but shoot me a text if you need anything.
Me:Thanks, Mom.
My mom was a retired professor, and now an online student counselor. Given how she’s an amazing mother, her choice of profession was actually pretty spot-on.
The bathroom door opened, and Rina all but stumbled outside with wide eyes and…fear on her face?
“What happened?” I stood and ran over to her. “Are you all right? Are you in pain? Tell me!”
She hastily grabbed her notebook and pen before scribbling something on a blank page.
I DON’T HAVE PADS! MYLES, I DON’T HAVE PADS!
I stared at the words, and then at her. “Why did you write that in all caps?”
She groaned and began writing again.
I NEED PADS! PLEASE CAN YOU GET ME PADS? OHMYGOD, I DON’T HAVE PADS, MYLES!!!
“Rina, babe; relax.” I fixed her hair, because it looked like a family of seaweed had taken residence on her head. “Relaxfor me.”
She shook her head.
