Chapter 165

Nicol

I woke up late Monday morning not feeling like myself at all, I couldn’t get my head off the pillow I was so tired, but I needed to go to the bathroom desperately.  I force myself out of bed and almost crawled to the bathroom.  I got to the toilet and did my business, when I got up and walked to the basin and saw myself in the mirror, I was shocked, my eyes where blue underneath and it looked like I haven’t slept in days.  I made my way back to the bedroom and crawled back into bed.  I must have fallen asleep almost immediately because at around 11 am, Isabella came knocking on the door.  “Nicol.”  She said softly.  “Yes.”  “Are you okay?”  “No, I’m really not feeling well.”  “Should we call a doctor?”  “No, let me sleep, I’m sure I’ll feel better when I wake up.”  “You sure?”  “Yes.”  “Let me make you something to eat first Nicol before you sleep again.”  “Okay but just toast I don’t think my stomach would be able to handle anything else at this stage.”  “No problem, toast and tea?”  “Yes, please Isabella, I’ll come to the kitchen to eat.”  “Okay I’ll get it ready for you.”  I went back to the bathroom and washed my face before I walked to the kitchen, my body was so sore I was sure I was coming down with the flu or something.  I sat at the table sipping on the tea Isabella made then I took a bite of the toast, the toast tasted off for some reason.  I decided it was all in my head and took another bite only to grab hold of my stomach and ran to the bathroom, where I lost the bit of tea I had and the toast.  Isabella was right behind me.  “Oh dear.”  She said “What can I do for you Nicol?”  “Nothing I just need to sleep thank you Isabella.”  When Isabella left, I went back to bed and curled up in a little bundle and fell asleep again.  I heard my phone ringing but I didn’t answer, I wasn’t feeling well and I didn’t want to speak to anyone.

But whoever was calling was persisted every time I think I was going to fall asleep, my phone rang again, by the third time I answered “Nicol hello.”  “Nicol it’s JP what’s going on?  You sound like the dead.”  “I feel like the dead. How can I help you JP?”  “I wanted to know if you are going to the shelter today, I got some fresh fruit and vegetables at the market yesterday.”  “No, I’m really not feeling well JP but you can go the girls will be excited to see you.”  “You sure?”  “Yes, and Mia was in hospital the weekend maybe you can check her blood pressure for me.”  “Yes, off course I’ll do that, is there something I can bring for you?”  “No JP I’m good, I just need to rest today.”  “Are you sure, you really don’t sound well.”  “I’m sure.  Thank you, JP.”  “Okay Nicol talk later.”  “Later JP.”  When I disconnected the call, I put my phone on silent if something happens at school they did have Nicolas number, I was really not in the mood to speak to anyone else.  I curled up and fell asleep again.

Much later that afternoon, Nicolas came walking into the room “Nicol” He asked softly.  “I’m here.”  I said from underneath the duvet.  “Are you okay?”  “No, I’m really not.”  “What can I get you?”  He asked coming to me and pressing his hand to my forehead. “Something to drink Nicolas please.”  “Okay I’ll be right back.”  I sat up in bed and waited for Nicolas to come back, he brought me some more tea, I wasn’t sure I was going to keep it down but I was going to try.  “Where is Nikki?”  “In the kitchen.”  “How is she?”  “I’m not sure.”  “Spit it out Nicolas.”  “Did she have her period yet?” Oh he really spit it out I wasn’t ready for that question at all. “No why?”  Fuck I wasn’t ready for this.  “I don’t know she’s just all over the place, she smiles then she wants to bite my head off then she cries, I know that is how you got when you where younger, I was just wondering.”  “I should probable talk to her about that?”  “Probable, but first get better.”  “Well, a period is not going to wait for me to get better Nicolas, I need to talk to her now.”  “Okay I’ll call her for you.”  Nicolas left me with my tea and the thought of my little girl becoming a woman, fuck I wasn’t ready for this not by a long shot.  Nikki came walking into the room “Mom?”  she asked “Yes angel I’m here.”  “What’s wrong?”  “I’m just not feeling well angel.”  “Is there something I can get for you?”  “No, I’m good but we need to talk.”  “Okay about what?”  She asked sitting crossed leg on the bed.  “You know we talked about you getting your period before, right?”  “Oh, gross mom yes I remember.”  “Well do you think your body is changing at the moment?”  “What do you mean?”  “Well angel you are a bit emotional, laughing, crying and snappy all at the same time.”  “Yes, but that is because I’m tired not because I’m going to get my period.”  “And you didn’t get it yet?”  “Jeez mom no I haven’t.”  “You sure?”  “Yes, I’m sure.”  “And you will tell me when it does happen?”  “Jeez mom, yes okay I will tell you now can we stop talking about this.”  “It’s nothing to be ashamed about angel.”  “I know I’m just not ready to talk about it.”  “Okay then but let me know if something happens you still have the pads, I gave you right?”  “Yes, mom I do.”  “Well, I’ll suggest you put one in your bag for school just in case something happens.”  “Oh, jeez will you stop already.”  “Okay okay I’m done, can you ask your dad to bring me another cup of tea.”  “Yes, anything to make this conversation end.”  She jumped off from the bed and I could hear her tell Nicolas to bring me more tea.