My Best Friend

Scared

Mindy moaned as she collapsed on the couch when she and Thomas arrived home. Today had to have been the worst day of work. The boss stood by the window in his office watching Mindy, making sure she didn't sneak away for food, water or any kind of breaks.

"Tommy", Mindy said. "Can you please give me a glass of water?"

Thomas nodded. He was worried about her. He heard about how she was sick at work, but there was nothing he could do. He didn't want to get in trouble. Thomas was angry at the boss for the way he treated Mindy. It was like he was trying to work her to death.

Thomas walked into the kitchen where Luda Mae was already beginning to cook dinner.

"How is my future bride and groom?" she asked.

He shook his head. Luda Mae went into the living room where Mindy was half asleep.

"Oh, my dear!" she said. "You look horrible! What's wrong?"

"I got sick today", Mindy weakly answered.

"Sick?"

"I got in trouble for it too. The boss took away my lunch break, water break and bathroom breaks. I worked all day."

"You poor thing", Luda Mae said. "You need something to eat. Come with me."

Mindy got up and wobbly walked into the kitchen where Thomas was waiting with a glass of water in his hand. She took it and rapidly drank it. Luda Mae handed her a spare carrot, something for her to eat until dinner.

"I have some news for you", she said. "Charlie and I got ahold of the family. They're all going to show up at the wedding."

Thomas for the first time that day smiled behind his mask. He hadn't seen the family in months and was going to be happy to show off his new bride at the wedding.

"That's great", Mindy said chewing on the carrot. "How many people are there?"

"Let's see. There's Nubbins, Drayton, his brother Chop Top and their grandfather. There's Henrietta and a good friend of mine. We have distant family members, Tex and Alfredo. I don't know if they're coming or not."

"I've never heard of Tex and Alfredo", Mindy said. "What are they like?"

"Alfredo's sort of odd", Luda Mae said. "Tex is the more mature one."

"Are they nice?"

"They are once you get to know them."

Mindy swallowed the carrot she was munching on, only to have it come back up again. She didn't have enough time to get up. She threw up right in the middle of the kitchen on the floor.

"Are you alright?" Luda Mae asked worried.

Thomas was now scared. He had never seen Mindy get this sick before. Did she get sick from the meat at work or something?

"I don't know", Mindy said wiping her mouth. "I was sick like this at work too. Mama, is the food here any good? We're not using any rotten food, are we?"

"No, honey. These are all fresh. Maybe you've been working at the factory too long. Go upstairs and rest a bit. I'll have Tommy bring up some food later."

Thomas scooped up Mindy into his arms and carried her upstairs. He looked at her with a scared expression. He was so scared. Was Mindy really sick? Was she going to die? Mindy looked up as she heard a whimper come from him.

"Tommy, what's wrong?" she asked. "You look scared."

Thomas whimpered as he held her close. He didn't know how to tell her he didn't want her to die. Mindy smiled tenderly as she tucked her head beneath his chin.

"Tommy, there's nothing to be scare of. I just caught a bug. That's all. I'll be alright."

He didn't feel better. Thomas just held her close as he laid her down on the bed. He didn't want to leave her.

"Tommy, you go ahead", she said. "Go clean up and go eat. Mama told me to rest."

Thomas whined as she kissed his cheek.

"Go on", she said. "I won't go anywhere."