I don’t know if he’s left yet, but my eyes are already flutteringclosed.
* * *
Isaac’s head peeks in.When he sees I’m awake, he says, “I’m taking Claire toschool.”
I roll over, try to lift myself up on my forearms, but they don't work. There isn't enough energy in my body to do that, let alone care forClaire.
“Thanks,” I mumble, burying myself in my pillow. I don't want to know what I look like right now. And I definitely don't want Isaac to see me likethis.
“Get some rest. I'll take care ofeverything.”
“Isaac, wait.” I turn my head so my lips are exposed. “Claire needs a lunch. No peanut products. And a morningsnack.”
“Aubrey, I got it.Promise.”
I ignore him. How could he possibly know everything I know? “You have to write her name on the snack.” I close my eyes. I'mexhausted.
Isaac laughs quietly. “OK. Lunch, sunflower butter and jelly sandwich. Snack with name written on it. Couldn't mess it up if Itried.”
“Don't try.” My voice is muffled by thepillow.
The door falls softly into the jamb. I turn my head and let out a long exhale. I feel weird. A weirdness that extends beyond thisflu.
Uneasy.
Someone else is going to take care of Claire today. I'm always the one to do it. This is the sickest I've been in years. Today Isaac will do all the things I normally do. These things aren't difficult. They don't require any special training, but they're myjob.
A chill sweeps over me, my limbs jerking from the suddenness of it. It takes every ounce of strength I have to get to my dresser and pull out a sweatshirt. Once I'm huddled in bed, my knees pulled into my chest, I close my eyes and passout.
* * *
When I wake again,it's from the sound of a softknock.
Isaac must have come home early. Or I slept all day. My phone is lost somewhere in my sheets, so I can't check thetime.
“Come in,” I callquietly.
The door opens. Lucia stands in the doorway, her face etched with a concerned smile. The rust-colored skirt she’s wearing reaches the ground, the sleeves of her jean jacket are rolled up, and a stack of gold bangles makes a tinkling sound as she sends me a smallwave.
“Can I come in?” She steps in the room without waiting for myanswer.
“Be careful, Lucia,” I warn as I sit up, surprising myself with my strength. “I think I have the flu. I don’t want to get yousick.”
With her hand, she brushes away my protest. “Nonsense.” She sits beside me on the bed, one leg tucked underneath her. “The flu, yousay?”
I lift my arm, so I can talk into the crook of my elbow. “I think so. My body aches and I'm so cold. I had a fever during thenight.”
Lucia leans closer, and I shrink back. I do not want to be responsible for getting Isaac's mother sick. “Are youhungry?”
“Not really. I'm OK. I just need to rest.” She frowns, so I decide to try again. “I’ll eat some crackers after I take another nap. I promise.” I feel bad. Lucia doesn't need to waste her time here. I can get myself crackers, for goodnesssake.
She stands. “You rest. I'll just clean up a little, and, when you wake up, I will bring you crackers.” She scoots from the room before I can tell her I can make do on myown.
Suddenly I'm very tired. Even that short conversation has exhaustedme.
I hear the TV go on in the living room, but the sound doesn't bother me. I like knowing that beyond these walls, someone is out there whocares.
* * *
