+chapter.seven+

“Ike, when are we going to talk to our parents about the house?” Jenn asked.

“Well, obviously not tonight,” I replied, looking at my watch, which read 9:30.

Jenn smiled. “Of course not, silly. Maybe tomorrow? I don’t think I have to do anything…I know we have to hire the photographer and florist on Saturday…”

“Zac, Tay, and I may be making a cameo on Leno. Most likely not. Your dad has been using the wedding as an excuse for a lot of shows lately. He doesn’t want to wear me out, ya know?”

“Yea. Don’t wear out my Ikey. That’s my job.” She smiled innocently.

I smiled back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Whatever you want it to,” she grinned.

I shook my head. Jennifer leaned her head on my shoulder and I put my arms around her. I kissed the top of her head and gave her a tight squeeze. She hugged back. Once we let go she lay down on her bed. “I’m so tired,” she spoke. “Yea, me too,” I replied, lying down next to her.

Jenn turned her head to face me and smiled. That’s all we ever seem to do anymore. Look at each other, smile, and kiss. It’s not bad doing it though, let me tell you that much.

Suddenly, my stomach started doing flips. I moaned. “Jenn, I don’t feel so good…”

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

“I think I’m gonna be sick,” I replied.

“C’mon then. In the toilet. Not my bed.”

I smiled wearily as she helped me to her bathroom.

When we moved from the “MOE Headquarters”, we made sure there were two houses next door to each other. The Anderson’s were looking into moving to a better neighborhood as it was, so moving next door to the Anderson’s again was a bonus.

Jennifer helped me down on my knees and then knelt down next to me. I clutched my stomach. It really hurt.

After only thirty seconds of sitting there, my stomach emptied its contents into the large white bowl in front of me.

Jennifer sat by me, holding back my hair and rubbing my back after putting a cool wash cloth on the back of my neck.

Once everything was up, I leaned back in Jennifer’s arms. “That was hell.”

“Isn’t it always?” she asked.

“Damn straight,” I replied, slightly groaning and clutching my stomach.

I saw her smile slightly and then help me up. “C’mon, to the guestroom with you. I need to take your temperature.”

I sighed, a horrible headache starting to form behind my eyes and on my templates. “Okay.”

“Honey, you can’t get sick. If you’re going to have a twenty-four hour deal, fine, but please don’t get sick. For Jenni?”

“I’ll do my best,” I replied as we reached the guestroom. Jenn helped sit me down and I took off my shoes. I laid down as Jenn went to get the thermometer. She returned seconds later, with one of those ear jobs. After clicking down on the button, she looked at the small screen and told me my temperature.

“101. You’re spending the night, Baby.”

I smiled slightly, the headache getting worse. “I planned on that anyway,” I replied.

Jennifer smiled at me. “My poor Baby. I’m gonna have to call your mommy and tell her you have a slight bug. Before that, I’ll see if we have any of your boxers or undershirts here so you can sleep more comfortably.”

“Okay,” I replied sleepily. “Oh, can I have two Tylenol, too? My head hurts.”

“Sure, I’ll be right back,” Jenn replied. I saw her walk by a few minutes later, portable phone cradled on her shoulder. She was most likely talking to someone at home. She returned after a few more short minutes, with one of my undershirts and a pair of my boxers. “You get changed and under the covers while I get your Tylenol.”

I nodded and slowly got up, not wanting the headache to get any worse.

Jenn left the room once more to get the pain relievers. I entered the bedroom once again and crawled under the covers. I heard Jenn talking to someone downstairs asking him or her to be quiet because I wasn’t feeling so great and I was in no condition to walk home. Whoever was down there agreed.

I heard Jennifer’s footsteps coming back up the stairs. She walked in, holding two tablets and a glass of water. I took them and lay down on the soft pillow. “My poor Ikey,” she said softly, sitting by my side. She slowly and gently leaned in and started to massage my forehead and templates. That, relieving my headache a great deal, put me to sleep.

With me being asleep, Jenn got up, turned the light out, and closed the door. She walked to her room and picked up the phone. It was only ten o’clock, so she called my house. “Hello?” Mackenzie answered.

“Hiya, Mac!”

“Oh, hey, Jenn. What’s up?”

“Nothing really. Ike just fell asleep.”

“Ohhh, I hope he feels better tomorrow.”

“Me too. Is Zac or Tay there?”

“Umm…hang on.”

“Kay,” Jenn replied.

“Hello?” Zac answered.

“Hey, Zac,” Jenn replied.

“Jenn! Hey! Wassup? How’s the Ikester doing?”

“Nothing here, what about you? He’s asleep right now. He was puking and had a real bad headache, but I think I took care of the latter.”

“Oh man, that sucks!”

“Yea, you’re tellin’ me! Anyway, what’s up over there?”

“Nothing really. Tay’s on the phone with SUSAN,” Zac said in one of his many voices.

“Ohhh, so that's why your line is busy!”

“Yea! It’s been busy all damn night!”

Jenn laughed. “Oh, Jess is telling me to get off so she can call you. So, umm, I guess I’ll see ya tomorrow?”

“Uh huh. Bye Jenn!”

“Bye!”

Jenn hung up so her sister could call. The two had been going together for awhile. They couldn’t really date when Jess was nine and Zac was twelve, so they were making up for that now.

Later around midnight, I woke up. I was feeling a little better. My headache was gone at least. I yearned to be with Jennifer though. I slowly got up and made my way to her room.

Once in there, I crouched down by her bed where she slept. “Jenni? Jenni?” I whispered, tapping on her arm.

“Hmm?” she responded and turned to face me, opening her eyes a bit. “Oh, Ike, Baby, what’s the matter?”

“I missed you,” I replied innocently. “Can I sleep in here?”

She smiled in the dark. “C’mon, get under the sheets.” She pulled up the sheets that covered her and let me get under. “How are you feeling?”

“Better. My head doesn’t hurt as bad and my stomach isn’t as upset as it was before,” I replied and snuggled in her arms in the dark. I felt the breeze of air from the fan blow on us.

I lay there with Jenn; just holding her and letting her hold me. Before I knew it, her breathing had evened out. “I love you lots, Jennifer Lynn Anderson,” I whispered.

Like that, me in her arms and her in mine, with the fan blowing on us, I grew drowsy and fell asleep.