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doing today?
Jessica gathered her long hair into a haphazard bun.  It was a bad night. It was easy to
see the fatigue in Jessica s drawn expression.  Make sure he gets a lot of fluids today. I
bought a box of ginger tea. A woman I met at the hospital suggested it.
 Do you have a Thermos? I can make some and take it with us. Sidney took off his
winter coat and draped it over one of the bar stools at the kitchen island.
Jessica pointed towards one of the upper cabinets.  Unfortunately, I think it s up there.
Sidney was as short as Jessica so he moved another bar stool over to the counter and
started to climb up.
 Please be careful. I can t handle anything else going wrong right now. Jessica
suddenly covered her mouth and ran from the room.
Sidney stood on the stool and retrieved the Thermos before going to check on Jessica.
He found her in the small half-bath just off the living room, bent over the toilet.  You okay?
The last thing Josh needed was for his main caregiver to get the flu.
Jessica tore off several sheets of toilet paper and wiped her mouth.  I m okay. She
stood and faced Sidney, sweat beads clinging to her pale forehead.  I m pregnant, she
announced as she flushed the toilet.
Sidney felt the weight of the words like a huge stone landing in his stomach.  Does Josh
know?
Jessica pulled a washcloth out and ran cool water over it, pressing it against the back of
her neck.  Yeah, but no one else does. I haven t told Josh how sick I ve been, though. I figure
he has enough to deal with right now.
 I think you both do. Sidney was missing two days of work each week as it was, but
he knew that might need to be expanded.  You should tell Maggie. She can come and stay
overnight, and I can help more during the day.
Jessica shook her head.  Thanks, but that s not necessary. The nausea usually hits
quickly but is gone just as fast. She dabbed her forehead with the cloth before laying it on
the edge of the sink.  I d better get going or I ll be late again.
 I have my phone on me. Make sure you call if you need anything. He gave her a hug.
 Congratulations, he said, even though he wasn t sure the pregnancy was a blessing.
After Jessica left for work, Sidney put water in the tea kettle before going to help Josh
get dressed. Josh s main floor office had been converted into a bedroom, making it easier for
him to get around. The door was open and Sidney took a moment to study his friend. Josh
was sitting up on the side of the bed, staring out the window. Sidney wondered which issue
weighed the heaviest on Josh s mind.  Hey, buddy.
Josh glanced over his shoulder, dark circles under his eyes.  Hey, he greeted.  How
much time do I have?
Sidney opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He searched for something positive to
say.  I don t know, but you have to keep fighting.
Josh actually grinned despite his obvious condition.  I meant before we have to leave,
not before I die.
 Oh, sorry. About an hour.
Josh shook his head.  Would you help me to the bathroom? I tried, but I m dizzy this
morning.
 Sure. Dad. Sidney walked over and helped Josh to his feet.
Josh smiled.  She told you?
 Yeah, well, she had a bout of morning sickness, so she broke the news. He steered
Josh towards the full bathroom across the hall before turning his back to give his friend
privacy.  Are you happy about it?
 Sure, why wouldn t I be? We re damn lucky we succeeded before all this shit started.
The doctor told me there was a good chance I d lose the ability to get her pregnant after the
chemo, so we decided to do everything we could in that month between Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
Despite his own misgivings, Sidney wanted to support Josh any way he could.  Then, I
guess, congratulations are in order.
 Thanks. Josh flushed the toilet.  Mind starting the shower for me?
 Not at all. Sidney adjusted the shower curtain and started the water. When he turned
around, he noticed how heavily Josh was relying on the counter of the sink to stay standing.
 You know, if you don t feel like taking a shower, no one s going to blame you.
 I always sweat so much that I stink, Josh mumbled. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]