But then my phone rang.
Seeing who it was, I smirked.Saved by the bell.
“Hey, Aunt Addy!” I answered, knowing it was Monica who was likely making the call. “Just to clarify my text, everything is fine and”—I lowered my voice—“I’m still going to the game on Sunday. And you’ll be happy to know that you were right when you said I loved him.”
“Ooooooooooooooh!” Monica exclaimed. “We love a good love story! Ain’t that right, Addison?! She’s smiling.”
“I knew you’d appreciate that!” Amusement riddling my voice, I shook my head. “How are you?”
“Well… she’s been resting a lot, but she hasn’t had much of an appetite for the last forty-eight hours,” Monica responded.
All the lightness I’d felt was gone. My stomach and my heart dropped.
Hearing about her loss of appetite set alarm bells off in my head.
I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “Do I… do I need to come down there and cook you something, Aunt Addy?” I wondered, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Well, you know Addison is always happy to see you, Jazmyn,” Monica replied.
Tears pricked my eyes. “I can do that, Aunt Addy! What day are you thinking would be best for me to come and cook something?”
“I can’t say for sure, and I know you have plans for the weekend—”
“That doesn’t matter,” I interrupted. “I’ll figure that out. When?”
“Within the week.”
My stomach dropped.
With my throat constricting, I asked, “Should I come tonight?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary, but… soon.”
“Okay, sounds good. I have to go, but I’ll see you tomorrow. Okay, Aunt Addy?”
“Her eyes are closed right now,” Monica reported. “But she smiled when you updated her on your boyfriend.” She laughed. “Now that got her eyes to open up!”
Putting my hand to my chest, I stared at Lamar as he pulled his boxer briefs on. “I’m glad that makes you happy, Aunt Addy. I love you. See you soon!”
As soon as I ended the call, I almost dropped my phone.
“Is everything okay?” Lamar asked, coming over to me.
I felt sick to my stomach. It was just an estimation, but I knew how Monica felt about Aunt Addison. If she was saying a week, that’s what she truly believed.
I was shaking.
Dropping to his knees in front of me, he planted himself between my legs and forced me to look at him. “Jazz, what’s wrong?”
“My, um…” Taking a deep breath, I responded. “Aunt Addy’s nurse said that… it could happen soon.”
His eyes widened. “Oh shit, I’m sorry, Jazz.”
Nodding, I met his gaze and instantly looked away because I was about to cry. “I’m going to Chance first thing in the morning, so I won’t be able to make it to the game. I know I said I would—”
“Don’t worry about that,” he interrupted, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me into him. “You need to be with your aunt. Is there anything you need from me? Is there anything I can do?”
I held him tight. “This.”
