we keep this love in a photograph

Chapter 15

The following Wednesday, the tickle that had been irritating the back of Jennie's dry throat all week had developed into a full-fledged cold. Her alarm had gone off and Jennie struggled to sit up, a pounding headache behind her eyes as her whole body ached and she let out a hacking cough. Groaning, Jennie threw the covers back and forced herself out of bed, so lethargic that her whole body sagged and she struggled to open her eyes.

She'd slept in later than usual, although not late enough to warrant her emergency alarm to go off, and after making it downstairs, the lurching steps making her feel dizzy, she shivered as she padded into the kitchen. Pouring a glass of water from the refrigerated pitcher, Jennie knocked back two pills and braced herself against the counter, eyes closed as the strange sensation of a hot flush washed over her, quickly replaced by another shiver. The floor was cold beneath her bare feet and she pressed cool fingers to her burning forehead.

Deliberating whether or not she should go into work, the weekend only a few days away, Jennie let out a raspy sigh, knowing that she would only suffer for it and end up losing more days of work the following week. It had been a long-time coming, overworking herself to the brink of exhaustion that no amount of coffee, green juices and multi-vitamins could help keep at bay, and with the turning of the seasons as spring edged towards summer, the temperature still a little confused as it slipped between overcast showers and muggy heat, Jennie knew she would be pushing her luck to go into the office. She was just thankful it was after the quarterly board meeting instead of before.

With her mind reluctantly made up, she plodded back upstairs and messaged Karina to cancel her meetings and take the day for herself, before collapsing back into bed. Feverish and cold, she curled up beneath the blankets and was asleep before she knew it, her mind dragging her into unconsciousness as her leaden body sank into the wide mattress. The curtains blotted out the sunrise outside and Jennie slept fitfully, a fever burning through her as she tossed and turned, the damp blankets twisting around her limbs.

The incessant buzzing of her phone woke her up just before twelve. Groggy and hot, Jennie struggled upright, blinking back sleep as she pinched the bridge of her nose and felt on the end table for her phone. She didn't check who it was before answering it and pressing it to her ear.

"Hello?" she rasped, her voice husky and hoarse.

"You sound awful. Are you okay?"

Jennie eased herself back down onto her pile of pillows, half-propped up with the blankets in a pool across her waist, as Rosie's soothing voice washed over her.

"Yeah, I just- I guess I'm a bit drained. I think I'm coming down with something."

"Are you okay? What is it? The flu? You didn't go into work did you?"

She smiled wanly at the worry in Rosie's voice, brushed damp strands of hair out of her face as sweat beaded along her hairline. Her pale cheeks were flushed with colour and Jennie's mouth was dry as she licked at her cracked lips.

"Nothing serious; just a slight cold and a fever, I think. And no, I'm not at the office; even I'm not that selfish to spread the flu around to get some paperwork out of the way."

"Good. You need rest and fluids."

"Don't worry," Jennie assured her, "I'll be at Al's tonight. Seven on the dot, as promised." Rosie let out a scoffing laugh on the other end of the phone.

"Like hell you will! You better stay in bed; I'll be right over once my shift finishes."

"No, no, go out with your friends. I'll be fine, I promise," Jennie pleaded, her voice scratchy, making her dissolve into a bout of coughing.