Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 89259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“Jackie,” I tried to say a little louder, but again I heard nothing. I could hear people talking in the hallway and then I heard a key in the door unlocking it.
“Dallas!” I opened my eyes to see Stacy gaping at me. “Oh my God! How long have you been like this?”
I must have looked pretty bad because everyone just stared at me like I was crazy.
“Stacy, go downstairs and tell Gladene I need her to come up here. Help Ms. Pearl with the breakfast and Gladene and me can handle Miss Dallas.” Stacy looked torn, but Jackie shooed him away with her hand. “Go on now.”
Stacy left the room and I watched Jackie through my heavy lids. She looked worried and I didn’t blame her. If I looked half as bad as I felt, I would probably die any minute. She was probably worried about losing her job and for some reason I found that funny.
I tried to laugh, but I couldn’t get my body to cooperate. Gladene came busting through the door and stopped in her tracks when she saw me. I mean really? I couldn’t look that bad. I felt myself slipping away from consciousness once again. If I could just sleep this off, I would feel better tomorrow.
“Oh no Miss Dallas,” I heard Jackie protest. “We need you to stay awake for us until we can figure out what’s wrong.”
“She got the damn flu, that’s what’s wrong,” Gladene chimed in. There was no way to tell how old either of them were, but I guessed mid-fifties. Both had hair that was cut short but stylish and their large robust bodies were equal in size. They could have been twins. Their skin was a dark caramel color and was wrinkle free and flawless. I hated them.
“Well help me get her up and in the bathroom,” Jackie demanded pulling the covers off of me.
“She better be glad I got my damn flu shot,” Gladene mumbled. I tried to give her the finger, but I couldn’t lift my arm. Jackie didn’t much like me, but Gladene absolutely despised me. They lifted me with ease and carried me to the bathroom sitting me on the toilet and holding me up while arguing with each other about who got their flu shot first. I told them to shut up and just help me get a bath, but once again nothing came out and this was not the time to be a smart ass. I was at the mercy of these two women, both of which didn’t like me.
“Ok Miss Dallas, We gonna help you get a cool bath and see if that brings your fever down a little. Then, if you want to, you can rest and we will see how you feel when you wake up.” I batted my eyelashes in agreement since that’s the only part of my body that seemed to be working. Soon, I was undressed and in the tub while Jackie and Gladene bathed me with gentleness I didn’t think either of them were capable of. I would have to remember to give them a raise. They hauled me out once I was clean and before they could dry me off, I was sweating again.
“That’s a good sign Miss Dallas. You need to sweat that fever out,” Gladene said.
“Thank you.” It was the first words I had managed to say, and even though it was just above a whisper they heard me.
“Come on, let’s get you some clothes on,” Jackie ordered, but I could see the softness in her eyes.
Gladene changed the sheets while Jackie shoved medicine down my throat and forced me to drink some water. I only managed a few sips, but she seemed satisfied enough. I felt like I had run a marathon. The strength it took just to open my mouth was equivalent to climbing a mountain. They hoisted me into the bed and closed the blinds, ultimately darkening the room. I needed to tell Scott I wouldn’t make it today and check my cell phone to see if Luke had called. I wouldn’t tell him I was sick because I didn’t want him to feel obligated to come up here. Not that he would come anyway; he would probably just send someone to make sure I didn’t die. My anguish must have been all over my face because Gladene was staring at me concerned.
“You gonna feel better real soon, Miss Dallas. Doctors don’t make house calls anymore, but I’ll call Dr. Pritchett to see what he thinks. He will be coming down this weekend anyway. We will get Ms. Pearl to pay him in cobbler and don’t you worry about Mr. Scott at the office. I called him first thing this morning and he said he would handle everything. Oh and a Mr. Luke called and I told him you was busy, but I’ll let him know what’s going on when he calls back. Stacy told us you found you a man.” I watched Jackie as she scurried around the room talking fast and jumping from one subject to another. I rolled my eyes at her. Gladene threw her hand on her hip and pointed at me.