'Tis the Season

Chapter 23: Peace

Chapter Twenty-Three: Peace

Carson was extremely annoyed when he found out I had booked him an appointment to see the doctor. He was borderline angry with me for doing so when "it wasn't that serious". Emilia eventually got him to agree to go just in case, she didn't like the sound of his cough either, but he didn't seem any less upset with me.

He told us he was going back to sleep and he would make sure he was ready to go at eleven for the appointment, so I found myself alone for most of the day.

Emilia could sense how uneasy I felt after Carson's poor reaction and tried to reassure me that I did the right thing and he doesn't mean to be short with me- he's apparently always grumpy when he's sick, and that he was probably more frustrated with himself since he wouldn't be able to fulfill the activities he had planned for the two of us than he was with me, but it didn't help much.

I convinced her to give me lots of chores to do to take my mind off our argument though, so I kept myself busy until I heard him come down to leave. Originally, I was going to let Emilia take the lead on this one, assuming he would want space from me but she insisted that I drive him there so we reluctantly left together.

Carson wouldn't look at me, and for the first time the silence between us on the drive was incredibly uncomfortable.

Carson checked in and I sat in the corner, trying my best to keep my body still despite the anxious fidgeting that wanted to take over my body. When his name was called, Carson asked me in a spiteful tone if I wanted to follow him in and personally tell the doctor all my concerns before he turned to go with the nurse.

It took everything in me to not burst into tears sitting in that waiting room. The minutes dragged on, until finally Carson and the doctor both came out. I stood up, confused as to why the doctor was walking over here with him. My mind went to a thousand places at once, hitting every worst case scenario. Carson was glowering at the ground so I couldn't read his expression.

"Are you Naomi?" The doctor asked me and I nodded, feeling myself pale.

"Alright, it's very nice to meet you. I was wondering since you drove Carson today if you would mind taking him to the hospital? I called ahead so the wait won't be long, he's going to need to have a few scans done."

I thought I was going to pass out. "Scans?" My voice sounded weak and a tad shrill. Carson refused to look at me still, let alone speak, so the doctor continued.

"It'll be okay, don't worry. Do you need directions?"

I shake my head, wiping my sweaty hands on my jeans and he nods.

"Alright. Have a good day and a happy holiday you two."

I wait until we're in the car before I start talking. "Carson, should I call Emilia to meet us there?"

Carson coughs and I freeze, my hand halfway to the ignition with the keys. I want to reach out and soothe him but based on the way he's faced his body as far away from me as he can in his seat and has practically pressed himself against the passenger door, I don't think he'll react well to my touch.

"Just drive, Naomi," he finally manages to get out in between coughs, so I snap into action and do as told.

When we get to the hospital they whisk Carson away from me to get the scans done and I find myself, again, alone in a waiting room with panic in my stomach. I feel like I might get sick myself from the worry and the unpleasant tension surrounding mine and Carson's relationship.