A Change of Heart

Chapter 29

The heat's been turned up. After about two hours, I start sweating. Oddly enough, I don't even feel hot. I touch my skin, it's boiling. The heat's not that high, I think I have a fever. I pick up my lunch bag, I bring medicine with me in case I get sick during work.

I take a spoonful of Tylenol and continue working. I start feeling lightheaded, but I ignore it. There's not really anything I can do about it. I eat the banana I packed, but that's all I can really manage.

Being sick at work is the worst. Why couldn't this be a normal office, where you get sick days? After work, I drive home. I lay on my couch and close my eyes.

Just my luck, I get a call from Becky. I reach for my phone on the coffee table and put it on speaker.

"Hello, how are you?" Becky asks.

"Sick," I answer bluntly.

"Is it bad?" she asks.

"Fever," I say.

"Alright, Joanna told me you took her to a bowling alley. Where in the world did you think of that?" Becky chuckles.

"I don't know, having dinner all the time is boring. Rich people like Joanna don't do much for dates," I explain.

"I never thought you would dare to even ask her, but I also didn't think you would dare to ask her out as a whole," Becky comments.

"Guess I've changed in the past months," I say.

"Well, I'm glad. Joanna seems much happier, and you do too," Becky says. I don't think Joanna's the reason I seem happier, but I'm definitely more alive than before.

"So, how's it with Liam?" I ask. Liam's Becky's fiancé.

"It's going great, we're planning to have the wedding in October. Do you think you could get Joanna to give you a day off or something?" Becky explains.

"It's going to take a while, but I think I can manage." I hope I can. The last thing I want to do is miss my sister's wedding.

"I'm counting on you," she says. Then, she hangs up. I go onto my messages and see that Joanna replied.

Joanna: I hope you're not trying to push your luck on my interest in middle class activities.

Me: This is the last one, unless you enjoy it.

Joanna: Fine, we'll go at 10 on Thursday.

Me: Do you think we could make it sooner?

Joanna: It's only two days.

Me: I know, but I'd like to see you sooner.

Joanna: You see me at work.

Me: Please?

Joanna: Tuesday, 10 'o' clock.

Me: Great

Joanna: Goodnight Howard.

Me: Goodnight

I'm really hoping this works. Not only do I need to free Arthur's sister, I also need her to give me a day off. This mission is something only God can carry out. I take a spoon of Tylenol and go to bed.

The next day, I can barely get up from my alarm clock. I just want to lie on my couch until I get better. Unfortunately for me, I work for Joanna.

I go up to my bathroom and take a cold shower. That wakes me up more. I get dressed and head back to the kitchen. I pack a tub of yoghurt as my lunch today. If I'm hungry, I'll finish it. If I'm not, I'll have more yoghurt for home. I take a banana and drive to work.

Thankfully, the AC is low. I can't afford for this fever to get worse; I need to look healthy on that date. I sit in my cubicle and get to work.

Once it's 7pm, I get inside my car. Right then, my mom calls. Weird, did Becky not let her know how I'm doing? I answer the phone.

"Hey mom," I say.

"Hey baby, how have you been?" she asks.

"I've been doing good," I answer.

"Becky told me you'll be going to her wedding. I can't wait to see you again; don't you think you can visit sooner?" Mom sighs.

"Sorry mom, it'll be hard enough to get the time to go to the wedding," I answer.

"Does that mean you might not even make it to the wedding?" mom asks. I can hear the shock and hurt in her voice. I don't even want to think about that possibility. I want to see my sister walk down the aisle. I want to hug my mom so tight she can barely breathe. I want to catch up with relatives. And I'm going to do everything in my will to make it happen.

"Don't worry mom, I'll be at the wedding. I'll even come a week before. That's a promise," I reply.

"My baby's going to come home! I can't wait!" Mom cheers.

"I can't either, love you," I say.

"Love you too," she hangs up. The realisation of what I said kicks in. I promised that Joanna would let me leave work for a week! A day is going to be hard enough! I drive home and pray that God will soften Joanna's heart.