Chloe headed downstairs. She hadn’t been that sick for years. Not since junior high. She’d missed cheerleading tryouts because, like the sharing brother he was, Sean had given her a terrible case of the flu.
Chloe felt bad for Liam, away from home and feeling so miserable. Remembering his congestion, she hunted for tissues but couldn’t find any, so she grabbed a roll of toilet paper. She grabbed another glass of orange juice and his phone and returned to his room.
He seemed to be asleep again. She set the juice on the nightstand and the toilet paper next to him. Then, catching the predatory gleam in Buttercup’s eyes, she moved the roll to the other side and gave the cat a pointed look.Don’t even think about it.
She shifted her attention to the sleeping man. “Liam? I have your phone.”
He grunted but didn’t open his eyes.
“Want me to call Simone for you?”
His head moved in what she assumed was a nod. Okay then. She awakened his phone only to find a locked screen. He didn’t even stir as she brought the phone to his hand and pressed his thumb on the button.
Voilà.It took only moments to open his contacts, locate Simone’s number, and place the call. While it rang she composed herself. This would be unwelcome news.
“Hey, Liam, what can I do for you?”
“Oh hi, Simone. It’s actually Chloe.”
“Chloe! Hi there.”
“Sorry to bother you but I’m over at Liam’s house, and I hate to tell you this but he’s pretty sick. There’s no way he’ll make it to set today. I couldn’t even rouse him enough to call you. He’s running a fever and completely wiped out.” She couldn’t tell if Liam was asleep now or just too tired to open his eyes.
“Oh no. That’s not good. I’ll call the doctor and have her come right over.” The studio kept one on call for just such a crisis.
“Okay, I’ll be here to let her in.”
“Good. Sounds like he needs to rest, and he sure shouldn’t be around the cast and crew with a fever.”
“Right, I agree.” As if he’d be able to move from his sprawl on the bed anyway.
“We’ll have to rearrange the shooting schedule. He was in every beach scene that was filming this afternoon and tomorrow. Butmaybe we can schedule the flashback scenes while he’s under the weather.”
Chloe could only imagine the chaos this would cause, but it couldn’t be helped. “He feels terrible this is happening right now.”
“Not his fault. Hopefully he can kick this virus quickly. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how costly these delays can be. Tell him to rest up and we hope he feels better soon.”
“Will do.”
Liam opened his eyes as Chloe ended the call. “Thanks.”
“No problem. She said to rest up and hopes you feel better soon. Also, the doctor will be coming by.”
She took his grunt as consent.
Dr.Angela Borden, who, as it happened, was a good friend of Chloe’s mom, came to Liam’s house right away.
Chloe tried to read her novel in the living room while the doctor examined him upstairs, but she couldn’t concentrate. Buttercup sat at her feet, glancing at her for reassurance every now and then. Funny how her cat seemed to sense when something was awry.
Chloe stroked her soft fur. “He’s gonna be just fine, sweetie. You can go sit at his bedside soon.”
She still had Liam’s phone and had seen multiple texts come in: several from Elliot, his assistant; one from Simone; and another from the director. Everyone was in a dither, no doubt. She could only imagine the scheduling nightmare. The actors who played the younger versions of Ledger and Cate weren’t even in town. They’d have to be flown in immediately. New locations would have to be reserved, if they were even available.
Upstairs, the bedroom door opened and Dr. Angela appeared at the top of the stairs with her medical bag. She looked every inch the lady as she descended in her blue linen skirt, white sleeveless sweater, and nude pumps. Her short brown bob flattered her gracefulneckline and highlighted pretty brown eyes that were feathered with laugh lines.
Chloe stood as she reached the first floor. “How is he? Or can you not tell me?”
The doctor smiled. “He gave me permission to fill you in, you being his girlfriend and all. He’s definitely got the flu, I’m afraid.” She reached into her bag. “Here’s a sample of the antiviral. It’ll get him by for a couple days, then he’ll need to fill this. And I can’t recommend fluids and rest highly enough.”
