Chapter 36 Alarm Bells
It was well past midnight when I got Charlie back to bed last night. And I got up to give her her second dose about 5 this morning. I made sure she drank water and juice. I helped her to the bathroom. She'd been losing control of her bladder and I'd have to change her clothes and wash her up before I could let her go back to sleep. To say I got no sleep last night is laughable.
I couldn't stay away from Charlie, knowing Liv has school in the morning and would not be able to wake up and check on her sister. I spent the night on a chair by Charlie's side all night long.
Not only did I wake up every hour or so to check on my sister, when I actually did get sleep, I had nightmares. I don't even remember what they were, but they were stressing me out enough to jolt me awake. I vaguely have memories of James and Rick in a few of them, but I don't remember what they were doing or why they were even in my dreams.
I didn't have the energy to take a shower when it was time for me to get up out of bed. I kissed my sister's head and filled her water bottle and kept her medicine right on her night stand with in easy reach.
"If you need me, Charlie, call me. Hailey will understand. But I want you to get your rest, don't forget to take the pain reliever and change between the two every four hours. drink lots of water, and I'll be back when I can," I promise placing a kiss on her still warm forehead.
"Don't worry about me Jose. I'll be fine," she mumbles into her pillow. "I'll just sleep most of the day. But I will call you if I need you," but gets cut off by her coughing fit.
When she calms down a bit I help her take a sip of water before laying her down on her pillow.
"I love you Charlie. We'll get through this," I whisper, brushing her hair from her sticky face. I really wish I could stay home with her today and just take care of her, but I can't. Not after I practically cleared out our savings last night. I need to make more money.
"I love you to Josie..." she mumbles as she falls asleep.
I was hoping I could make it out of the house without Beth finding me, but I guess I wasn't praying hard enough. I had been trying to be quiet, hoping Beth was still passed out in her bed. Who would've thought she woke up just to interrogate me about money?
"Where the hell did you get the money, Josie?" Beth stopped me as I was reaching for a granola bar. I don't bother responding right away. Instead I open the cellophane wrap and take a slow bite.
I turn around even slower, just to piss her off, and give my aunt a blank stare. Then I take another bite and chew my food and swallow before I even open my mouth to respond to the bitch... Believe me it's a mercy. If I didn't have a moment to control myself I probably would've punched her in the face. "I have no idea what you are talking about," I shrug, and take another slow bite.
"YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! How did you pay for the medical bill, Josie? How did you pay for her antibiotics? Where are you getting the money from?" She demands, stepping closer to me.
Loud alarm bells are going off in my head. I'm not stupid. I know I'm going to get hurt this morning. But I'm too damn tired to care today. She can do whatever the hell she wants with me. It won't change my answer to her.