LIFE Interrupted

Josh slid in behind her. She clutched his pants leg. He felt her desperation as he pulled back her hair.

“Daisy, there is a ponytail holder in a cup on the sink, would you get it for me?” He asked her mother.

She fished out a pink one and handed it to Josh. He secured her hair, then squatted down behind her. “I’m right here, baby. I’ve got you.”

She was very sick after that.

“I’m going to sit in the living room,” her mother informed them. Her tone quiet because this scene, her daughter sick from the chemo or her migraine was upsetting her.

“Thanks Daisy.” Sophie laid her head on her arm. She still clutched at his pants leg. “Are you better?”

She shook her head no.

He rubbed her back and across her shoulders. She stopped him, gripping his hands, holding onto them. “My head hurts so bad,” she whispered.

“Want me to put you in bed and get the garbage can for you to be sick in? You’d be more comfortable,” he suggested.

“I don’t know.” She was shaking her head back and forth.

He snorted then he asked her if she could lift her head for a moment. Sophie laid her head in the crook of Josh’s neck. In the doorway, waiting on her, was Cleo and Delilah.

“My girls,” she croaked.

“Let me put you to bed.” He steadied Sophie and rose to his full height. Then he lifted her in his arms. He got to the door and the dogs hadn’t moved yet. “Move ladies so I can get by with Sophie.”

They stepped out of the way but didn’t go far. He laid Sophie down in the bed and went back to the bathroom for the garbage can. He moved things off her nightstand and put it close within her reach. “It’s right here, Soph.”

She was curled into a fetal position and didn’t say anything in response. Beside the bed staring up at Josh were the two dogs. He sighed. Then he scooped them up and laid them by Sophie. They crawled to the top. Delilah went under the covers with her and Cleo stayed by her head.

“I thought you said they couldn’t get in bed with us?” She looked at Josh through bleary eyes.

“Right now, if they make you feel better, that’s all I care about,” Josh informed her.

Sophie didn’t say anything else. She curled onto her side with the puppies next to her.

In the early morning, her hair falling out of the ponytail holder that Josh had put in the previous night she was sick again. He was sitting on the side of the bed holding the garbage can for her. His free arm was around her, steadying her. Sophie alternated vomiting and whimpering. Behind her, the dogs were making the same noise.

Ally opened their bedroom door. Sophie couldn’t look at her, she was too ill. “Honey, Mom is sick. Go back to bed.”

“I can’t sleep.”

“Then go to Heath’s room or sleep on the couch.”

“Josh,” Sophie whispered to him. He hadn’t meant to be harsh. He had his hands full with her. Her body shivered almost uncontrollably. She wasn’t cold, or running a temperature, just weak.

She threw up again. Josh didn’t know how there anything could be left in Sophie.

“No, Dad, I want to help.”

“Baby, there’s nothing you can do right now.” He heard the catch to his tone. “Take the puppies with you. This is upsetting them too.”

“Okay.” Ally walked behind the bed and picked up Cleo and Delilah; she carried them out into the hallway. “Dad, I can’t close the door.”

“I’ll get it when I can.” Sophie laid her head in the crook of his neck and Josh caressed her hea

d. “Are you better?”

“I don’t know.” She moved away from Josh and laid on the bed on her side again, so he covered her. “This isn’t what you signed up for.”