Page 23 of Only With Me

Chapter Five

Harlow

After three more days of being housebound, I’m going stir-crazy because I’m not about to go out in public looking like I tried to hug a porcupine after rolling in a field of fire ants.

It feels like when I was bedridden all over again, but at least I can move around the house. I’m still fighting the urge to scratch the shit out of my skin every two seconds.

I hate how red and splotchy my arms look.

It’s not exactly a pretty view for someone who works at a clothing boutique.

My manager, Ashley, has been understanding, but I hate missing shifts.

I’ve been soaking in the tub, doing the baking soda paste, and lathering on the anti-itch cream.

I think it’s working, but not as fast as I need it to.

I miss my horse and taking her riding.

In between Dad’s naps, we watch TV together, play cards or a board game, and have finished a thousand-piece puzzle.

At this point, all I’m missing is a Bingo addiction.

When the dogs start barking, I know Delilah’s here.

Thank God.

We’ve been texting, and I begged her to come hang out with me after work.

When she’s not traveling and trick-riding, she manages Lacey’s, the luxury lingerie shop downtown. It’s a couple blocks from Rodeo Belle, so we’d meet up for lunch or swing by each other’s stores when we’re both working.

“Hey!” I swing my arms around her. “Thanks for comin’ by.”

“No problem.” When we pull apart, she looks at my arms and chest. “Yikes. Are you positive that it ain’t contagious?”

“Ha-ha,” I mock dryly. “If that were the case, Mama and Daddy would have it, too.”

She chuckles. “Just messin’ with ya. Looks a smidge better, though, than your pictures a few days ago.”

“Could take up to three weeks to clear up,” I groan.

“I stopped by the drug store and got you some antihistamines and calamine lotion. I read up on it and those were the most recommended for dealin’ with the itch.”

“Ooh, thank you. I’ll bathe in this lotion if it promises to do the trick.”

I take the plastic bag from her hand and then we walk into the living room where Dad’s watchingThe Price is Right.

“Hi, Daddy.” Delilah hugs and kisses him. “How ya feelin’ today?”

“Not too bad.”

Today’s been a good day. We never know how many of those we’ll get with him, so we take what we can get.

“I crushed him in Monopoly earlier,” I say.

“And then I wiped you off the floor in poker,” he retorts.

Delilah barks out a laugh, her blond hair bouncing across her shoulders. “I see nothing’s changed ’round here.”