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Poor kid exploded like a geyser.
Leighton winced. I wrinkled my nose. But when our eyes met, we both broke into tired smiles and shook our heads.
Well. That took a turn.
“You sure you’re up for a life this glamorous?” I asked as she rubbed his back, trying to soothe him mid-heave. “Kinda a package deal.”
Her answering smile could’ve thawed an iceberg. “So much for pizza night.”
* * *
Tuesday morning,a suspiciously peaky-looking Leighton showed up, insisting she felt fine. Mattie was down for the count by lunchtime.
As I strategically avoided my boisterous Uncle Reggie by ducking out of my office early, my phone buzzed—and I grimaced.
Leighton
Another one bites the dust.
Ollie
Nooooo.
Not you too.
Leighton
Yep. The horrors persist.
Ollie
I’m so sorry.
Leighton
Been a few years since I acquainted myself so thoroughly with a toilet bowl.
It’ll humble me a little.
Ollie
Oh man, I feel terrible.
Leighton
It’s fine, Ollie. I just hope Tillie feels better before Friday.
Mattie had three more performances—Fridayevening, Saturday morning, and Sunday night—and missing them would be a brutal hit to her self-image, so for all of our sakes, I hoped so too. I told Leigh as much, then asked if she needed anything. Her response had me chuckling.
Leighton
Just for you to not change your mind when you see me looking like I got hit by a bus.
Ollie
Not a chance, Trouble.
Leighton