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I nod, smiling over at my son. “That’s true. We should also go get some dinner. Sound good?”
“Yes, please! And can I stay up and watch movies in the hotel’s living room? It’s huge!”
I chuckle and set Elijah back down so he can grab his stuff.
“Sure. This is a mini vacation, so why not. But nothing scary. I don’t want you getting nightmares.”
“Okay, fine.”
We gather up Elijah’s things, and I decide to go all out and order room service at the hotel. I get way too much food for the two of us, but I’m pleasantly surprised that Elijah’s willing to try so many of the different options.
I’m exhausted, more so than I have been in a while, and I fall asleep on the couch next to Elijah. After a while, I wake up to him screaming.
“What? What is it?”
Elijah points at the TV. “Look at that thing!”
I look over, and sure enough, he’s found a horror film with some sort of monster on one of the movie channels.
“Buddy. I said no scary movies.” I grab the remote and switch the thing off. “Let’s get to bed.”
Prying him away from the television, I tuck Elijah in bed in the adjoining suite room and then shuffle over to mine, where I fall face-first in the bed.
I look at the time. It’s only 10 p.m., but back home, it’s something like three or four in the morning. As I plug my phone in to charge, I notice Liv still hasn’t opened my text.
I type up another, hoping she’ll see it in the morning, and then pass out.
* * *
Monday morning comes, and aside from a few emails, the day is open. So I take Elijah to the aquarium that isn’t too far from our hotel, and we have an incredible time.
“Dad! Look at this one! Ooh, there’s an octopus, too! This is way better than school!”
It’s like I’ve taken him to a candy store or Game Stop considering how excited he is, and it truly warms my heart.
There’s another tank across from me that you can see through to the next room. My mind immediately goes to Liv, and that weird heaviness in my stomach sets in.
Something feels really off, but I don’t know what it is, and it’s driving me nuts. I just know something is up with her, but standing here wishing she’d open up to me isn’t doing me any good.
“Dad.” Elijah grabs my arm, shaking me out of my head. “Come over here. It’s the super long name fish!”
We check it out, and for such a small creature, the name seems like overkill.
“That’s awesome, bud. They’re really pretty. You know, graceful.”
“That’s what Liv said, too. I wish she was here.”
“Me too, bud. Me too.”
Chapter 29
Olivia
Noah has texted me twice when I wake up, and I can’t even bring myself to really read them. It’s another morning of nausea and gagging while I brush my teeth, but when it settles down, I manage to get in some water and crackers.
As I take off my PJs and start to get dressed, continuing to pick comfy clothes, I look at my stomach in the mirror. Turning and looking at myself in profile, I still look normal, if a little bloated.
It’s hard to believe there’s anything in there, but my nausea has a good way of reminding me.
