Come Away.

Rain

At nighttime, it was pouring down hard. Waking up from the thunder, pouring down sweat as Marlowe wasn't feeling well. Heading to the bathroom, her stomach felt like it was flipping all over the place. After hours of being sick, I hoped that this would pass before anyone woke up. Sadly, it woke up Granny, who rushed into the bedroom after she was done for the moment. 

"How bad do you feel?" Granny had a cup of tea in her hand.

"Like I'm being stabbed, but no fever, thankfully." Putting a cold wet cloth over her forehead. 

Entering the room as she sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry, baby. No school for you today. How about you just sleep in, and I'll see if one of your uncles can out the tv in here."

Shaking her head. "I'm okay, Granny. Just some sleep and rest are all I ask for."

"You got it, kiddo. I have to go into town today, so if you need anything... well, don't ask because I'll be gone, and Granddad won't be able to do anything." Doing her best to be funny, but Marlowe didn't find it funny at the time. Granny patted the bottom of Marlowe's leg. 

Marlowe listened to her Granny's footsteps leaving her room. Closing her eyes as her stomach dies down from flipping and rolling around. The room was spinning around as she sat up and rushed back into the bathroom. Nothing came up thankfully, walking back to her room. Marlowe heard her Granny talking to someone she thought it was Granddad, but it wasn't it was a teenager.

It wasn't Steve nor the other kids that she took care of. It was Billy, seeing if she needed a ride, Granny told him that Marlowe wasn't well. Billy nodded as he slowly walked over to his car to drive off to school.  At least until lunchtime. 

Feeling a little bit better, Marlowe could drink some soup, but that was all she could do. Billy snuck up to her room while Granddad was snoozing on his chair.  Peeping into Marlowe's room to check up on her, not knowing really why he had the need to see her.

Seeing her sleeping curled up as she was hugging her stuff toy that she had since was five. Holding it so tight like a child who is having a nightmare. But she wasn't having a nightmare. She was in pain from this flu or whatever she had. Billy sighs as he walks back downstairs, but he is stopped by Granddad. 

"How is she?" Acting like it was normal for Billy to go check up on her when really Billy broke into their house. 

"Uh, sleeping." Thinking he might get his ass kicked for being there without being welcomed in. 

"Oh good. That kid needs all the sleep that she can get." Granddad went back to his tv.

Billy went back outside to get into his car as he was relieved that he wasn't in trouble. Going back to school, no one seemed to notice that Billy had been gone.

Back at school, Tina snuck up behind Billy. Billy jumps. His dad would pull this shit to him all the time. Not putting hands on her and fake chuckled. "Hey Tina."

"Hey, so there is a party tonight, do you want to come?"

Billy didn't feel like going to a party. There are no pretty girls in this town. "Is that so?"

Tina nods quickly. "Tommy and I would love it if you came."

Steve walked past them both with a bunch of books as one of the kids that Marlowe had watched over time. They spoke about Marlowe and how they are worried about her. Billy looked at Tina.

"Let me think about it. And I'll get back with ya." Shutting his locker as he headed back to class.

Bell rang as Billy got to class. Sitting and waiting and waiting for school to be over with. There's nothing to do around here at all. Billy would take notes, and his mind wounder. He would definitely get bored quickly. Like real quick.

When school was really over with, Heather stopped Billy in the hallway. "So, are you coming tonight? It's at my place." Her parents are gone for the weekend and she wanted to have a party.

"Um, I'm not sure, but I'll try to come." Billy started to head to his locker.

"Oh, please come!" Heather grins.

Billy nods as he walks away. Already fitting into this hell whole of a school. Billy bagged all his shit up together and headed to his car. Waiting for Max to come as she ran late. He didn't care. "You're late again."

"I know I was....Uh helping my friend to get Marlowes homework." Hopping that it wouldn't end up as a fight as some things aggravated him. Crossing her fingers, hopping that he wouldn't break anything.

Getting a cigarette out of his pack. "She's that bad, huh?" Still pissed that he had to wait so long.

"Well..." Max head to the front seat. "I Uh guess she is." Her friend was Steve. But something happened.

Billy got into the car. "You're hiding something, Max." Hissing at her.

Looking at her fingers. "All I can say is that she's in the hospital."

Leaning back into the car. 'She wasn't like that when I checked up on her.' Starting the car. "Really." Acting like he didn't care.

"Yeah." Max muttered.

The car ride was quiet as Billy pulled into the driveway. Stopping the car. "I have some place that I need to be. Do you think you can stay out of trouble?" Billy blew out some smoke. Max nods as she gets out of the car. "Good." Ariving at the hospital, Billy saw Granny.

Granny was carrying Marlwoes favorite blanket. The one the Billy would always use when he came over. Seeing Billy was coming towards the room. "Billy, what brings you by?"

"Heard Marlowe was here. Is she okay?" Billy hands were in his pocket, trying to be charming.

"Marlowe thinks it's the flu. But the docs are running some more tests. No one can be too sure about anything anymore."

Billy nods. "Tell her I hope she gets better." Noticing that's the blanket he always uses. "If you need anything, please let me know. Even if it's to get more blankets."

"Will do, Billy."