Exotic

XXX

Sydney

I felt really awful when I left. Mum called me back home, she wanted to see me or whatever. I didn't want to leave Kate in the state she was in, but Apollo was there, so she wasn't completely alone.

As I was hobbling down the street, Mama and Mum were waiting for me by the front door. It had me confused but Mama soon met me half way and spoke to me.

"We heard about what's going on with Kath." she said.

"Yeah, I'm really worried."

Mum stepped up to us, "Sheila, I know. But meningitis can be very contagious. I don't want to risk anything. Not while you're recovering so well."

"Yeah, I guess. But Kate-"

"Well, Kate has Apollo. She'll be fine." Mum says, "I'm worried about you. I don't want you getting meningitis. Do you know how serious it can be?"

"Well, yeah but Mum-"

"No, I will not lose you. You've got too much life to live." she said and she went back inside.

"She's just as worried as you are. She loves Kath. A lot more than we realise." Mama said, "Let's get you inside."

We got in through the front door and Mama told me to sit on the sofa. Mum came back and checked my temperature before retreating back to the kitchen.

"Your Mom's got some soup cooking. It looks nice." Mama nodded towards the kitchen.

My phone rang and I picked it up after seeing it was Kath, "Hey, you. How's it going?"

"I feel like shit." I heard her try to laugh but I could tell it was painful, "Baterial meningitis is not fun. They've started me on some antibiotics and stuff. I might recover anywhere between a week or six weeks. I hope it's the former, I can't deal with this for six weeks."

"I wish I could be there with you." I frown.

"I can hear your frown through the phone," she took a break to cough, "Oh God, that hurt. Anyway, I'll be fine. And I have a favour to ask of you."

"What's that?"

"I need you to send a selfie to me everyday and facetime me every night before you go to bed."

"Yeah, I can do that." I nod, chuckling a bit.

"Thanks, babe. I'll speak to you later."

"Yes, you will. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too. Bye," she blew a kiss into the phone.

"Bye," I do the same and blow a kiss to her through the call and then we hung up.

"Was that Kath?" Mum asked as she brought a bowl of soup in.

"Yeah. Bacterial meningitis." I nod.

"Aw, I'll give Christina a ring later and send my love."

"They'll appreciate that."

"Yeah. Eat up." she demands as she hands me the bowl, "How you feeling?"

"Much better compared to this morning." I say.

"That's good. Really good." Mum stroked my hair and her voice sound relieved.

"I'm really worried, Mum." I admit after swallowing a spoonful.

"I know, Sheila." Mum nodded, "But you two need to distance yourselves for the time being. We can't risk anyone getting more poorly."

"I get that, but she's my girlfriend. How'd you feel if Mama got sick? Let alone meningitis."

"That's something I cannot imagine, Sheila, and it's something that I refuse to. I love Dewey and the meer thought of her being hurt or in pain is unfathomable."

"Mum, I'm shit-scared."

"I can see. It's in your eyes, Sheila. You must love her, eh?"

"Well, I don't know about love. Not yet. A deep level of care is the best way to describe it. I'm sort of in that weird cusp between love and like. You know?"

"I know." Mum then did her best to hug me to her body, without spilling any soul, "So, when's the wedding?"

"Ha ha. Very funny, Mum." I roll my eyes as I continue to eat.