Read Again (Brandy Jeffus) for Free Online Page B

smiled. Since their anniversary date at the lake house, they had been back a few times to hang out, swim, fish and spend the night together. It was a magical place and it felt like home.
    That night they skinny dipped in the lake around 2 am. They watched a cheesy scary movie afterwards, all wrapped up in each other's arms on the couch. Around dawn they decided to fall asleep.
    Right before they did he whispered, "I wish every night was like this." He pulled Bonnie close and sighed.
    "It will be babe. Until we're old and gray," Bonnie answered dreamily. They both slipped away, lost in their dreams.
    Chapter Four
    I woke up chilled to the bone. My throat felt on fire and I can’t breathe. Oh dear God, I’m sick.
    Why is this happening to me? I have to take care of Mama all by myself. Now I have to figure out a way to do that and keep my germs away at the same time. Just perfect.
    I drag myself out of the bed, wrap a blanket around me and walk into the kitchen. My eyeballs feel like they’re about to pop out of my head, there’s so much sinus pressure.
    "Ugh,” I groan loudly searching the cabinet and finding nothing but Pepto and Ibuprofen. I check on Mama, who is sleeping soundly.
    Remember just call if you need anything, Eli's voice pops in my head. I roll my eyes and pick up mom's phone and text Eli.
    Hey, can you call me please? It’s B.
    I shiver and head back to my bedroom. I haven’t even pulled my covers over me, when the phone rings.
    "Hey," I answer, sounding horrible and pathetic.
    "Bonnie? What's wrong? You sound horrible."
    "Thanks," I chuckle, but that hurts my throat so I end up having a coughing spell, “Eli, I'm sick. I woke up feeling like death warmed over. Do you think you can come help me with Mama whenever you're off work? I wouldn't ask unless I had to, I'm sorry.”
    A long pause follows and I look at the screen to make sure we’re still connected.
    "I'll take the day off. Do you have meds? Is it the flu or a stomach virus?”
    "No, Mama doesn't have anything, but that's okay. It's just a head cold or something. I'll be fine. I just need help with Mama. I can't get her sick when she just got out of the hospital.”
    "No, no I understand. I'll be there soon. Is the key still under the broken brick?”
    I smile at his familiarity. It’s nice in a way. "Yes it is. I'll be in bed, I'm going back to sleep. Thank you."
    "It’s okay, B. I'll see you in a bit."
    I am so cold; my skin is covered in goose bumps. I shut my eyes and drift off to an uncomfortable sleep.
    I wake to the smell of Vicks menthol. The low hum of a small motor is all I hear and I spy a square shaped humidifier on my nightstand. I groan when I realized how sore my throat is and how achy my body was feels. Instead of being cold I’m suddenly burning up and I throw the covers off of me.
    "Hey, Bonnie. How did you sleep?" Eli's voice is soft, smooth like honey. He’s sitting beside my bed, with a book in his lap. His hair is wet, slicked back and he’s wearing a dark t-shirt with some video game logo on it.
    "Okay for the most part. Thanks for the machine. That'll help out a bunch."
    He nodded and got up. “I picked up some medicine for you too. Let me go get it. But first let's get you sitting up.”
    Big flames of embarrassment rise in my chest as Eli's strong and gentle hands hook underneath my arms and pull me up. He fluffs the pillows behind me and lays a sheet over my ratty PJ-covered body.
    I smile weakly, "I'm fine, Eli. Really. It's just the flu, I guess. How's Mama doing?"
    "She's good. She woke up a couple hours ago and is watching TV. But you're not fine, honey; the flu can be some nasty stuff. I brought some medicine the pharmacist recommended to me."
    His eyes are big and full of sympathy. Eli’s so tough on the outside, but has always been so tenderhearted, such a caregiver. He’s always been like that, as if it was engraved in him at birth to be a great caretaker.
    "I haven't been this sick in a long time," I