“Then what is it?” She bent down to look at me, no smile in her eyes. “It’s your miracle chili water. Aren’t you the one dying?”
She patted my arm like I was a kid who didn’t know better. “Lie still until your husband gets home. Don’t let him see you like this and start worrying.”
The lock clicked.
Derek. My husband, Derek Vance, home early.
June moved before I could think. She fluffed the pillow under my head, pulled the blanket up to my chest, smoothed my hair with her fingers. I grabbed her wrist. “Ma… hospital…”
She pushed my hand back under the blanket and leaned in. “Save your strength. Keep pushing that voice and you won’t have one left.”
“Ma? Mia?” Derek called from the entryway.
June patted my cheek and walked out. “Coming. Your wife’s fever spiked again. She’s asleep.”
I pushed myself up, bracing on the edge of the bed. My legs felt like lead. I got my bare feet on the floor and walked to the kitchen, one hand against the wall. My phone was charging on the counter.
