Page 24 of Only With Me

The three of us sit and chat in between guessing the answers on the gameshow. Eventually, Mom comes home from work. She’s a nurse at the hospital in the next town and works ten-hour shifts four times a week. The other days, she cares for Dad, cleans the house, or runs errands.

Although we have cameras in and outside of the house, I adjust my work schedule based on when my mom will be away so someone’s home with Dad and the dogs. Sometimes I’ll work the evening shifts for a few hours if I’m needed, but after everything we’ve been through, Mom doesn’t like him home alone too long.

“Delilah, stay for dinner. I’m makin’ chili and cornbread,” Mom says once she’s showered and changed out of her scrubs.

“That sounds delicious. Let me help you in the kitchen,” Delilah offers.

“I’m gonna take Moose for a short walk before we eat,” I tell them. “I need some fresh air.”

I put on a sweatshirt and boots, then grab his leash.

As we walk around the block, I pull out my phone to turn on some music and find a text message from an unknown number.

The same number who’s in the group chat and told me the rash was poison ivy.

Unknown: Hey, hope you don’t mind me privately messaging you, but I wasn’t sure if you’d want to talk about it with everyone else in the group. I just wondered how you were doing with the rash and if the baking soda paste worked for you.

I don’t know why, but my heart races as I reread his message for the third time. Him reaching out to check on me is incredibly sweet.

Truth is, I’d been wondering who he is and have been tempted to text him before but wasn’t sure what to say. When it comes to talking to guys, I’m…not experienced. Like,at all.

But him being concerned for me makes me smile like a giddy teenager.

Harlow: Hi, not at all. Thanks for checking on me. It’s working well. My sister brought me some meds and lotion to soothe the itch in between being a paste mummy.

Unknown: Ha, that’s good. My brother and I got poison ivy in high school and our mom made us wear oven mitts on our hands so we’d stop scratching.

I snort at the imagery.

Harlow: That’s hilarious. Luckily, I’ve been hanging out with my dad and staying busy so I don’t think about it, but it’s the worst at night when I’m trying to sleep. I have nothing to distract myself so all I can think about is how itchy I am.

When Moose and I return to the house, my nose fills with the aroma of meat and beans, and my stomach growls.

“Dinner’s almost ready, so make sure to wash up,” Mom announces, setting the table.

I check my phone and find myself smiling again.

Unknown: If you ever need someone to help distract you, hit me up. I can’t always sleep either.

This is where I should ask for his name. Or at least how old he is.

If he’s Jake’s age, he’s probably in his early thirties.

But he could be fifty for all I know.

Still, he hasn’t asked for mine, and I suck when it comes to talking to guys, so I don’t ask either.

Harlow: Thank you, I appreciate that!

Mom calls everyone to the table and once we’re all seated, we say grace and then dive in.

Chili is one of my favorites, especially topped with extra shredded cheese and sour cream.

“How’s work goin’, Delilah?” Mom asks.

“Great…we’re enterin’ the holiday shopping season. All the husbands buyin’ lingerie for their wives and mistresses will keep us busy through New Year’s.”

Dad nearly chokes on his food, and I chuckle at Mom’s shocked face.