20
MAISIE
Waking up this morning, I should be happy but the cramps in my stomach are proving otherwise. Today Henry and I are supposed to cross off another bucket list item—the date—but instead mother nature thought today was the perfect day to show up.
Along with my stomach, my back decided to cramp up too. I’m not sure even a whole bottle of Midol could relieve the pain, but it’s worth a shot before I cancel.
Slowly, but surely, I get out of bed and immediately get hit with a sharp cramp. “Fuck,” I silently cry out as I clutch my stomach. Usually I can endure the pain but this one is nearly unbearable.
Somehow I manage to make it to my bathroom and find the medicine bottle. Thankfully it’s not empty. I swallow the recommended dose down with water and I pray to whatever higher power is above me that this goes away.
I make it to the kitchen to grab some tea before laying back down, not that it’s helped too much in the past but it’s worth a try.
Grabbing my phone off my nightstand, I do a quick internet search to see which tea is best for cramps and come up with peppermint tea which, luckily I know I have.
“Please,” I plead to no one in particular, “let this—or something—work.”
Another dose of medicine,multiple cups of tea, and even a boiling hot bath later, nothing seems to do the trick. As much as I don’t want to, I have to cancel on Henry.
Begrudgingly, I grab my phone and find our text thread.
I hate doing this, but I have to cancel our Fuck It List today. I’m not feeling too well.
He replies instantly, like he was waiting by his phone for me.
Henry
No worries, Winslow. Can I come over and bring you anything? Soup? Medicine? A doctor?
Haha, it’s not that type of sickness. It’s that time of the month unfortunately.
Henry
Send me your favorite snacks, I’m coming over and we’ll have a movie day.
Only if that’s okay with you of course, I didn’t mean to invite myself over.
As long as you don’t mind me rotting away on the couch the whole day.
Henry
I’ll rot away with you as long as I get to be near you.
As long as I get to be near you.
The choice in words this man uses sends butterflies to my stomach—and other places—relieving my pain for a millisecond.
I quickly send him a response with some of my favorite snacks and let him know the door is unlocked so he can come in, which ended in a safety meeting about why I should never leave my door unlocked but I was in too much pain to care.
I get up from my bed and throw on clothes a little less revealing from the shorts and tank top I’m wearing, though I’m sure Henry wouldn’t be opposed to it. Keeping the tank top on, I opt for a pair of sweatpants instead.
With the little energy I have, I go back to the kitchen and living room to make sure everything looks well enough for company. I rarely have guests over that aren’t my mom or Wren.
Turning on my candle lamp to warm my favorite scent—mango and coconut—I grab a few blankets and get cozy on the couch for the movie day that’s to come. I make sure I’m logged into all of my streaming apps so that I don’t have to deal with that later. I don’t watch a ton of TV but you never know when you’ll want to binge a show from your childhood.
I’m cuddled up on the couch with a pillow and blanket as I feel my eyes get heavy. Maybe a quick nap will help ease the pain.
I’m unsure what time Henry will be here but I know I’ll wake up at the sound of the door opening.
