The Dysfunction Of Evan: Books 1-3 Collection

24. Well...

"I wish I could be there, Darling. Please tell me you are getting plenty of rest." Tom said. I coughed violently. 

"I have to work. I don't have a lot of PTO available. I also have to study for finals, they start on Monday." I croaked. It hurt to talk, it hurt to move. 

"Oh, baby." He said. "Do you need anything?" 

"I've got everything I need." I said. I coughed again. "Are you having fun in Tokyo?" 

"I am, I'll tell you about it when you are feeling better. Would you like me to get you anything?"

"Surprise me." I replied. "I'm gonna try and sleep before work." 

"Alright, baby. I love you." 

"I love you, too." I said. The call ended and I promptly fell asleep. 

My alarm woke me up at two pm, and I slowly got ready for work. Tom called halfway through my shift. 

"How are you feeling?" He asked. It was super loud on his end. 

"Worse. I'm going to stop at the ER before I go home. I don't have enough money in my account for Urgent Care, and there is no guarantee I can see my doctor on Monday." I said. It hurt to breathe. My whole body was throbbing. I coughed. 

"That sounds painful." He said. "I've got to go, love. Call me when you can." 

"I will, I love you." I said. The call ended. 

I spent the entire next day in bed, calling off of work. I'd been told at the ER I had an upper respiratory infection. Semester finals started the next day, and I used the time to study as best as I could.  Tom called several times to check on me, and I called him shortly before midnight.

"Why are you awake?" He asked when he answered.

"I've taken like, eight naps today." I said, trying not to cough. "I took some NyQuill a few minutes ago." 

"Hopefully it'll knock you out." He said. 

"Are you back home?" 

"I got home about an hour ago. I didn't call because I figured you were sleeping." He said. 

"I was studying." I croaked out. "I wish you were here." 

"I do too, baby. I hate you being sick when I can't take care of you." He said. 

"I'm used to taking care of myself when I'm sick." I said with a light yawn. 

"You shouldn't have to." He said wistfully. I was starting to drift off. 

"Will you tell me about Tokyo?" I said yawning again. "I want to fall asleep to your voice." 

I could almost hear his smile. "Of course, baby. Anything for you." 

He started talking, and I turned out my light and leaned back against my pillows. I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying, just the sound of his voice. It was silk and velvet, the most significant sound in my world. It didn't take long for me to slip into a deep sleep. 

I woke the next morning to the sound of my alarm. It was six am, an hour earlier than I usually wake up for Monday class, but I wanted to get there earlier so I could study for the first part of the skills final. 

My instructor was surprised when I walked in ten minutes after seven, but she didn't mind. She'd made it known from day one that it was encouraged for us to come early to study or get help on things we had questions on. I settled myself into my seat and pulled out my skills sheet. I was pretty confidant on everything except two things, medical and trauma assessments, so I set myself to studying them.