Second Date

Chapter 28: ... A Kiss is Just a Kiss

Chapter 28: ... A Kiss is Just a Kiss

"Let's check that temperature. Nana, the thermometer please? Thank you. Hmmm? Ninety-eight degrees. Right on the dot. Cool as a cucumber. Well..."

Mrs. Darling felt Wendy's forehead. Slightly, she frowned.

Wendy was curled in the canapé, arms in her stomach and tears in her eyes. Captain Hook had escorted her home - dear man - with a report of nausea and the faint odor of...well...expulsion on his justaucorps.

As Mrs. Darling thanked Captain Hook, Nana had promptly set Wendy upon the canapé to have her temperature read. When the thermometer read normal, Nana was unalarmed. Dutifully, she returned to the bath where John and Michael were supposed to be washing for supper.

But Mrs. Darling was wiser. Thermometer indeed! Normal temperature poppycock! Mrs. Darling would champion her motherly instinct over any medical device. Wendy was unwell. Terribly unwell.

Mrs. Darling smoothed Wendy's hair.

"What is the matter my darling? My, but you do look pale. And your cheeks. Red as roses. Was today very trying?"

Wendy nodded. The effort seemed enormous.

"I shouldn't wonder." Mrs. Darling mused. "Out in the sunshine from morning to night. Did you wear your sunscreen?"

"Mhm."

"Did you take Nana's morning tonic?"

"Mhm."

"Well..." Mrs. Darling rubbed Wendy's tummy. "...I know you ate your lunch. I saw it all over poor Captain Hook."

Wendy whimpered. It was her closest attempt to a laugh.

Mrs. Darling smiled. Pensively, she touched Wendy's brow.

"You look awfully tired. Did you sleep poorly last night?"

Wendy clenched her stomach.

"Mother?" She spoke so softly Mrs. Darling lowered an ear.

"What is it my darling? Tell Mummy. What's wrong?"

Wendy inhaled. Her breath rattled. "What did I do last night?"

Mrs. Darling blinked. It seemed a curious question.

"Well my darling. As I recall, you went straight to bed."

"Did...was the door shut?"

"I believe."

"L...locked?"

"I shouldn't think so. You know Father's rule about not locking the door. Especially after that dreadful night he spent in the doghouse."

On cue, Nana crossed the carpet enroute for fresh linens. Michael and John's protests echoed from the bath.

Wendy watched Nana depart. "Did Nana see anyone? Come in? When we were asleep?"

"Wendy!" Mrs. Darling exclaimed. "My darling! I believe you had a nightmare. Was that it? Did a bad dream keep you awake?"

"I..." Wendy held her temple. "I can't - remember. I can't remember!" She pressed harder, probing for the memories. "I can't remember and I can't make it better! I can't make it go away!"

"Make what better? Make what go away?"

"Just - everything! Inside my head!" Wendy cried into the cushions. "I keep thinking, I keep on thinking, I can't stop thinking!"