Better Left Unsaid

Chapter 3

Cat finally comes home at around eleven. I'm up and in the kitchen, heating up some leftover pizza. I hear the door close and glance behind me.

"Hey, kid." I say as I open the microwave. "How was your date?"

Cat sighs almost dreamily. "It was great. He took me to Panini's."

Compared to that, my pizza is nothing but a decorated triangle. "Really?"

"Uh-huh." she says. "Their food is amazing."

"So I've heard." I say after coughing violently into my elbow.

Her high heels announce her approach and cease behind me. I turn to face her, her

lip poked out in a pout. Like a sad puppy.

"What?" I ask.

"You said you'd be better after you rested." she replies.

I roll my eyes. "I am better."

"No, you're not." she says.

"I'm not dead, am I?" I wave my arms and walk to the living room with her tailing me.

"Don't say that!" she gasps, as if I actually was going to croak right in front of her.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry." I say. Cat takes the pizza from my hands and backs away. "Um, I was eating that."

"I don't care." she states in a surprisingly serious voice. "I want you to go lay down. You're on bed rest."

"But-" I start but she cuts me off.

"Sam, please. I don't want you sick." Cat's voice trembles.

It was times like this I wished I had more willpower. She killed me with her begging. I decide to humor the kid. After all, what's better than being taken care of for free? "Alright, fine." I say and head to our bedroom. I hear her put the pizza back in the fridge and my stomach tightens in hunger. I really wanted that pizza.

...

Saturday. The best day of the week. Unless you're being restricted to limited movement and barely allowed to get out of bed. It's not all bad, though. Cat is a pretty good caretaker. I mean, she makes me chicken soup, she brings me tea and tissues. All the things Mama could ask for. She kinda reminds me of Carly.

The doorbell rings and Cat goes to answer it. I can hear her conversation.

"Oh, hello." she says.

"Hi, I'm looking for Sam and Cat." a male voice says.

"Well, I'm Cat. My partner is in the back." Cat says. "What can I help you with?"

"I'm Mr. Sanchez. I believe we spoke on the phone." the man says.

"Oh, yeah. You wanted us to babysit your daughter." Cat says.

Aw, fuck! We were supposed to babysit today! My headache pounds in my ears. I can't do this! Not now!

"Yes, this is her." says. "Say hi, Amelia."

"Hi." a girl's voice says.

"Now, Amelia. I want you to be good, okay?"

"Yes, Papa." Amelia says.

"Okay." Mr. Sanchez says. "Thank you, Cat."

"No problem." Cat says.

"I'll be back to pick her up at six."

"Okay, bye!" Cat says. The door closes.

Cat is in the doorway moments later. "You stay in bed, I'll babysit today."

"You sure?" I ask.

She nods. "I'll be fine. You're the one that needs the rest."

"Alright." I respond.

She closes the door and I close my eyes. Thank God for partners.

...