I decided that he would just have to wait—billionaire or not. My baby comes first. She always did and always would. It didn’t matter if he had a woman for every dollar he had lined up waiting to meet him. They could all have him if he weren't patient enough with me. On the flip side of the coin, I didn’t want him to get away either. He was so kind, friendly, funny, smart and outgoing; the complete opposite of the loser guys I regularly fell for.
On my 15 minute breaks and lunch period, I checked on Nevaeh.
“How’s she doing?” I asked.
“She’s been hanging out on the couch. I gave her the medicine that you sent, but her fever seems to come back just as it’s time for her next dose. I don’t think this is a stupid bug or virus.” Lorraine confided in me.
“You might be right. You’ve heard what they say about mother’s intuition, and I suspect it’s something more sinister.”
“All we can do is keep fighting for her and taking care of her. Don’t worry about her while you’re away. She’s in the best of hands here—at least when she’s not with you, I mean.”
“I know she is, but I’m worried about her. I better get back to work. Call me if you need anything or she gets worse.”
When I got to Lorraine’s house that evening, my love bug wasn’t in the window as usual. I frowned sensing something was wrong with my baby. She always watched for me to pull up. As I made my way to the front door and was about to grab the handle, the door opened from the inside.
“Oh, Hi Kimberly. I was heading out to go pick up dinner.” Tyrone explained.
“Hey,” I nodded, trying to muster a smile.
He shut the door behind him so Nevaeh couldn’t hear what he was about to say. “Kimberly, I want to talk to you about Nevaeh.” He began, looking over at the window to make sure she wasn’t sitting in it. “Lorraine didn’t want to worry you while you were at work, but she wasn’t herself at all today. She lied around on the couch the entire time and anytime she moved, her face flinched in pain. She wouldn’t let us touch her or anything.”
“Ugh, I can’t deal with this right now. I’m so stressed out. I just want her to get well.”
“Lorraine was planning on telling you when you came to pick her up, but I was worried that she would downplay Nevaeh’s symptoms so you wouldn’t be as concerned.”
“She told me some of it on the phone. I have a doctor’s appointment for her on Friday at noon. Lorraine’s driving her to it for me since I can’t take her.”
“That’s what I heard, but I wanted to let you know that if you need anything—we’re here for you.”
“You’re sweet Tyrone that really means a lot to me.”
After he had left, I walked into the house. Nevaeh was lying on the couch covered up with her favorite blanket. I smiled at her, hoping to relieve her some since I was there.
“I’m okay momma,” she mumbled as she watched cartoons, sensing I was worried.
“Okay. I’m going to go talk to Lorraine. I’ll be right back.” I kissed Nevaeh’s forehead and called for my friend. “Lorraine!” I yelled throughout the house.
“In here,” Lorraine said as she emptied a cap of detergent into the washing machine.
I walked into the laundry room and asked, “How did she do today?”
“She wasn’t her usual self. She seems frail and exhausted. It was a chore for her to lift her head. I even carried her to the bathroom once.”
“Seriously?” My heart dropped. What was wrong with my little girl? “I guess all we can do is give her ibuprofen until she gets into her pediatrician, and you’re taking her, right?”
“Yes, I am. Could they get her in any sooner than Friday?”
“I doubt it, but I’ll ask.”
I had already tried, but they were booked solid and Friday was the earliest appointment available, which was only because they had a cancelation before I scheduled Nevaeh’s visit.
“Can you help me carry her and her things out to the car?”
“Of course.”
That night, I carefully watched my darling and saw what Lorraine had told me about. She was so weak. Her frail body looked delicate and fragile as I lied next to her in bed.
“How are you doing sweetie?” I asked her.
“I’m okay momma.”
I kissed her on the cheek and wished her a good night before flipping off the light. A tear rolled down my face as horrible thoughts raced through my mind. I’ve already lost my dad; I couldn’t stand to live without my baby. What if it was cancer? It was more than I could bare. I tried to shut off my mind as I fought to fall asleep.