for help make Lucas seem normal, but it also made Matt feel
needed. Lucas was treating him like a partner and, more
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important, like a man. Helen knew that if Lucas ever asked for
Matt?s loyalty, this simple gesture of inclusion made it more likely
that he would get it. A fresh bout of pain gripped her so tightly that
a sweat broke out on her upper lip. Helen blew out her breath
slowly, trying to navigate her way through the pain.
Lucas popped the back hatch of the SUV and laid Helen down,
then asked if Matt didn?t mind waiting with them until his sister
and cousins came back.
?If Helen gets any worse, I?m not going to wait for them, I?m just
going to take her to the hospital. If that happens I?d really appreciate
it if you stayed here to tell them where I went. It shouldn?t take
long,? Lucas explained.
?I?ll stay as long as you need me,? Matt offered with his usual
generosity.
?Damn, Matt. Aren?t you tired of watching over of my sick ass
yet?? Helen asked him with a half smile.
?You have no idea,? he said back with a smile of his own. It faded
quickly. ?This makes it twice this year. You never used to get sick,
Len, not even that time we all got the stomach flu after Gretchen?s
birthday party in fourth grade. The rest of us were puking our
brains out for two days, but you were fine.?
?Oh, yeah! That was so gross! Hey, at least I brought you all Gatorade
and crackers, remember?? Helen said playfully. She was trying
to lighten the mood, but she was still in pain. She pressed on
her belly again and Matt frowned. He was worried, and so was she.
Her cramps had never lasted this long before.
?Maybe you should quit track,? Matt suggested suddenly.