“Then let’s go get some clothes on and you can curl up on the couch with me for a bit, okay?”
He nods and I follow him into his room as he pulls out a T-shirt and shorts pajama set covered in dinosaurs. I help him before he walks into the living room.
Ugh. Now I have to clean up this mess without getting sick myself.
No one tells you this is what you sign up for when you become a parent. Pulling my shirt over my nose, I scrub the floors and get everything clean.
I hope this might be the last time.
Fingers crossed.
“All done.”
I plop down next to him, his eyes heavy.
“I’m sleepy.”
“Do you want to sleep on the couch with me for a little bit before going back to your room?”
“With you.” He curls into the pillows. “Can I sleep with my tomato?”
I smile down at him. “Of course you can.”
I go into his room to grab it for him. He snuggles into it as I tuck him in with a blanket. It doesn’t take long for Max to fall back asleep.
I sigh, sinking into the couch myself. I rub circles on his back as his soft snores fill the room. I’ll give him a few more minutes before putting him to bed.
With him going down, maybe I can finally get some sleep. Will this sickness away. Doing my best to pick him up, I carry him to his room and tuck him in.
He doesn’t flinch. I press a kiss to his clammy forehead before going back to resume my spot on the couch. But before I can make it there, a knock on the door echoes through the space.
Maybe if I ignore it, whoever it is will go away.
No such luck.
Pulling open the front door, I’m shocked at the man standing in front of me.
“Sam. What are you doing here?”
“I—” I don’t hear what he says.
“Oh God.”
My stomach decides now is the perfect time to get sick. I barely make it to the bathroom before I’m retching over the toilet.
Heavy footsteps pound behind me.
“Can I help?”
Sam’s hand rubs up and down my back.
“You can leave.”
“Why?” he asks.
I rest my head on the cool porcelain and turn to face him.
“I don’t want you to see me like this.”
