Lights, Cameras, Outsiders!

Chapter 69

LCO 69

"I don't how she's doing, Susie. She was mumbling in her sleep and she wouldn't snap out of it and I took her temperature and she had a hundred and three...do I need to call an ambulance?" I heard Matt say. I saw nothing, only the absence of light.

"No, you don't need to call an ambulance. She's gonna be fine," Susie said. I opened my eyes and Matt and Susie were standing right next to each other.

"Hey, babe, how you doin'?" Matt said, coming closer and laying his hand on my forehead.

"I'm hot. And I don't feel well," I said.

"Hey, I know, I know. Susie, can you get me a warm rag? Oh, Essie, sweetie, you're burning up," he said, licking his lips.

"Can you come lay with me?"

"No, I can't honey. I can't get sick," he said.

"Well, Matt, you're already touching and kissing her. You might as well lay with her," Susie cried from the bathroom.

"Alright. But if I get sick, I want you to take care of me," he said.

"Okay." He came around and laid next to me and curled his arm around my neck.

"When we're married and you're sick, I'll take off of my acting and take care of you."

"Thanks," I said. He kissed my ear and grabbed my hand.

"You're the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, Essie. And seeing you sick or upset it hurts me," he said. I grinned and laid into his chest.

"Are you feeling any better?" He said after laying the wet rag on my forehead.

"Yeah," I said.

"Charlie called earlier. I told him the news and that you were sick but he wanted to say that he's homeless now. He doesn't have a home."

"No, Jesus, no," I said.

"You hear that Susie? He's homeless," I said.

"Yeah... Are you gonna go see him?"

"No...not until after this movie."

"Hey, darling, Tex is premiering in a couple days. Think you'll be healthy by then?" Matt said.

"Yeah...yeah, I'll be fine," I said.

"I'll get you some soup."

********

I looked over at the clock. 4:07am. I felt someone rubbing my back in circles. Matt. I didn't even bother to turn over but he kept doing it and I felt him kiss the back of my head and he moved my hair and kissed the back of my neck. He began to run his fingers through my hair. The sheets rustled and he got closer and nuzzled his nose into the crevice of my neck. His arm overlapped mine and he interlocked fingers. He moved his head to lay on my arm and kissed it.

"I love you... So much..." He whispered. I smiled to myself and felt him squeeze my hand before I fell asleep again."