Kisses and Near Misses

Chapter 18

Jacq stayed deathly sick until midway through April. Everyone was concerned.

At the moment, she was still vomiting and Cole was on the phone with Cindy, who wanted to come over with Noel and Sab. "I don't know, Cindy. She's still sick."

"We can take care of her." Cindy had a pout to her tone.

"No, you guys need to be in school. I'll take care of her."

"Not fair."

"Tell you what. You guys can spend the whole weekend with us. We can pamper her the whole time and maybe she'll feel better?"

"Yes!" Cindy cheered.

"Okay, I gotta go."

"Kiss her for us!" Noel's voice was in the background.

"Will do, buddy!" Cole hung up. He set his phone aside and went to the bathroom.

Jacq was leaning against the sink, wiped out.

"The kids want to come over this weekend." He crossed his limbs as he leaned against the open doorway.

She tried to perk up. "That'll be fun."

"Yeah. I think you need to see a doctor, Jacq."

"Why? They always find something wrong with you."

"I know you hate the doctor but you're not a sickly little kid anymore."

She gave him a dry look. "I just need more tea. Do we have any more strawberry pomegranate? Damn! I think we're out of honey."

"I can go get you some."

"Thanks." She pouted.

He dropped a kiss on it. "You're welcome."

She giggled. "That's gross!"

He kissed her again. "Nope!"

She covered her face as she laughed.

≈

Cole grabbed a handheld basket to get what he needed. He found the tea from Stash easily enough but he debated over which honey to get.

He finally decided to get an organic one with a piece of honeycomb in it. He grabbed it and put it in the basket before going to find chips and dip. He wanted Ruffles original to soothe her tummy and a regular onion dip to combat her vomit breath.

His heart was in the right place...

"Oh my goodness! Cole?! Is that you?!" Stacey's high pitched voice reached his ears.

He sighed heavily before trying to perk up. It wasn't Stacey's fault he didn't want to be bothered. He turned. "Hi, Stacey."

She flew into his arms, hugging him. "What are you doing here?"

"Shopping,"

She giggled. "You're so funny."

"Thanks." He pried her off. "Well I gotta go."

"Is Jacq still sick?" She hoped.

"Yeah."

"I hope she doesn't die." Stacey lied.

Cole's stormy eyes grew. "What?!"

"Yeah. I saw on TV that this old lady was sick for a long time and she died."

Cole panicked.

Stacey waved him away as he ran off. "Bye!"

"He's such an idiot." Aaron sidled out of the nearby aisle.