20
JILLIE
Iwake up in a hospital room.What the hell is going on?I can’t keep my eyes open. I can hear people talking, the beeping of a machine, but it all fades to black.
I don’t know how long it is before I wake up again. This time when I blink awake, I see Aunt Ruthie sitting in a chair next to my bed. My head hurts, I’m so fucking hot, and my mouth is as dry as the Sahara.
“Wat—” I struggle as I ask for water, but my mouth is too dry.
Aunt Ruthie spoons some ice chips into my mouth.
“No water. Not just yet. You’re pretty sick, Jillian. You’re dehydrated and you have a really bad case of the flu.”
I try to speak, but I need more ice. I get a couple more ice chips and enjoy the cold liquid that slides down my throat.
“Rest. We’ll talk when you’re better. Just rest,” Aunt Ruthie tells me as she smooths my hair back from my face, petting me, and it feels good to be loved. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. My dad’s the only one who’s loved me like this.
I want my daddy.
A tear runs down the side of my face as I give in to exhaustion.
