LIFE Interrupted

“You’re welcome.”

He kissed her cheek. Then Josh cleared his throat. “So, you let him shave his head but not me,” he teased her.

Sophie burst out laughing. “I’m not married to him. I don’t have to look at Roman every day.”

Kai slipped in beside Josh and he wrapped his arm around her. “Lord, what a pair you two are,” she informed them.

Chapter 14

Sophie

Monday afternoon, Ally wasn’t home yet. Josh was home with Sophie still. He had decided to wait on their daughter before going to the office to try to get some work done.

Jagger had dropped the car at the house and Doug took him to his home. Little was said, except the game had been a great one, a close one too. She chuckled at Josh questioning if Jagger met Brian which he had. The protective father was coming out in Josh with his little girl.

Sophie still felt weak but was hanging out in the recliner in the living room, instead of holed up bed which is where she had been Friday, Saturday and Sunday. She was ready for a change now.

Tilted back in her recliner, she was wearing the Hello Kitty pajamas, a robe, and a soft, pink turban hat that she had picked out for the when this crap gets real moment.

Josh covered Sophie with a fleece blanket when she couldn’t seem to get warm, so the pajama choice wasn’t quiet as obvious even though the robe was open at the top. The puppies were snuggled in the chair with Sophie while Josh sat on the sofa with his laptop. “Are you hungry, babe?” It was nearing three o’clock and she hadn’t eaten anything yet.

“Not at all. I still feel pukey, just not enough to vomit.”

He laid his laptop on the table in front of him and got off the sofa. Then Josh went to her chair, leaning on the arms. “Soph, you need to eat.”

She continued to play with puppies’ ears, ignoring Josh.

“Sophie.”

“Josh, I feel terrible. I can’t eat.” She shook her head at him.

“Soph, you haven’t gained any of the weight back that you lost from the first treatment. You can’t really afford to lose, much more.” He squatted by her chair. “I’m just concerned, baby.”

“I know.”

“Body still aching?” He asked.

She nodded.

“Need a pain pill?”

“No, I want to be awake and that stuff makes me sleepy.” They heard the car door outside. Josh leaned over and kissed Sophie. “I’m nervous,” she told him.

“Why?” He went to the door and peeked out. Brian was getting Ally’s bag out of the trunk. He closed the lid and kissed her before he moved her towards the house.

“I usually have hair and don’t meet Ally’s friends in my pajamas.”

Josh chuckled. He was distracted by his daughter. Brian slipped his arm around her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. They stopped. She gazed up at him. They talked for a moment and he kissed her again.

“I think they are more than friends, Sophie.”

He moved away from the door and sat on the sofa before they caught him snooping. Ally walked through the door first. Sophie knew at that moment, she should have let her daughter know they had shaved her head.

Ally stepped backwards into Brian. He put his arm around her waist to steady her.

“You okay, Ally?” Brian asked her.

She shook her head no. Then she went to Sophie’s chair and got on her knees while Brian stood awkwardly in the doorway. “Mom, you’ve lost your hair already?”