Chapter12

Simon

Just as I finish with the last detail of one of the project items, Shelby comes back in. I notice she looks slightly pale and my protective instincts start. Did Frank upsether?

“Luv, are you okay?” I ask, as I get up to meet her half way. I bring my hands to her arms rubbing them. I then take one to her forehead, feeling it with the back of myhand.

“I feel nauseous,” she says and leans in against me, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist. I will never get tired of her leaning onme.

“You want something to eat? We have been busy, maybe you are just hungry.” I say, still holding her in myarms.

“Maybe some toast,” she says as she releases her grip and walks over to the couch, grabbing her water bottle on theway.

“I can do that.” I say, watching her as she moves before I head to the kitchen. Once in the kitchen, I grab two slices of bread and put them into the toaster. “Do you want anything on the toast?” I call from thekitchen.

“No,” she says and then I hear the television turn on. I peek out from the kitchen and see Shelby laying on the couch with the blanket over her as she changes the channels on the television. Just then the toaster pops. I put the two pieces on a plate and grab a napkin forher.

“Here you go,” I say, placing the plate on the coffee table in front of her. I join her sitting at the end of the couch, putting her legs over my lap. Shelby grabs a piece of toast and takes a small bite. I watch the news with her hoping the toast helps, but still wondering aboutFrank.

After a few minutes pass and Shelby has finished her toast and had some water, her color looks a littlebetter.

“So, what happened with Frank?” Iask.

“The normal,” she says with a short smile that I am not sure how to react to. “At first he was against it. Well, not against it, but against me going,”