Promise Me Read Free Page B

glasses and opened her eyes wide as the doctor shone a light into one, then the other. He then ran through the usual examination of her vitals.
    â€œHuh,” he said, rubbing his chin. “No cough, no swelling and no fever. I don’t know what to tell you, Beth. She’s dropped a couple pounds since her last visit, and her face looks a little puffy, like she’s been retaining water. But other than that and how she feels, everything seems to be fine.” He looked at Charlotte. “Does your head still hurt?”
    She nodded.
    He turned back to me. “Does she have any allergies?”
    â€œNot that I’ve noticed.”
    â€œIt could be a little virus. For now, I’d give her some children’s Tylenol for her headache and keep her home. If she’s not doing any better in a few days, you might have to take her up to Primary Children’s Medical Center for some additional testing.”
    I didn’t like the sound of that. “All right. Thanks.”
    â€œI wish I could tell you more.”
    â€œMaybe it’s nothing.” I looked down at Charlotte. She looked exhausted. “Ready to go, honey?”
    â€œYes.”
    I took her in my arms. “Thanks again, Doctor.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. Keep us informed.”

    As I drove home, a subtle dread settled over me. I’m not a hypochondriac—for me or my family—but something was wrong. I could feel it. Sometimes a mother just has a sense about these things. I honked as I pulled into our driveway. Marc met me at the front door and took Charlotte from me. She clung to him, burying her head in his neck.
    â€œWhat did the doctor say?” he asked.
    â€œHe doesn’t know what’s wrong. He said if she’s still sick in a few days we should take her to the hospital for tests.”
    â€œThe hospital?”
    â€œJust for tests. But we’ll wait until Saturday.”
    â€œSaturday is Valentine’s Day,” Marc said.
    I looked at him blankly. In seven years of marriage we’d never done anything on Valentine’s Day. Frankly, Marc was about as romantic as a tennis shoe, and called Valentine’s Day “a conspiracy by florists and candy makers to fatten their wallets.”
    â€œI made us dinner reservations at the Five Alls.”
    â€œHow did you get us reservations on Valentine’s Day?”
    â€œI made them three months ago.”
    The Five Alls was my favorite restaurant. It’s also where Marc and I got engaged.
    â€œShould I cancel the reservation?”
    I rubbed Charlotte’s back. “Let’s see how she’s doing. When do you leave town next?”
    â€œI’m in Scottsdale next Tuesday. There’s a medical conference at the Phoenician resort. Want to come?”
    â€œI have a sick six-year-old and a job. In what fictional world would that be possible?”
    He grinned. “I know. Sometimes it’s just nice to be asked. So are you off to work now?”
    â€œYes. I’ve missed too many days lately. I hope Arthur doesn’t decide to fire me.”
    â€œHe can’t live without you.”
    â€œYeah, right. He can’t even get my name right. Half the time he calls me Betty. I better go. See you.” I kissed him, then Charlotte. “See you, honey.”
    â€œBye, Mommy.”
    As I stepped off the porch, Marc said, “Oh, would you mind taking in my laundry and dry cleaning? Everything’s in the back seat of my car. It’s unlocked.”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œAnd tell Phil he used so much starch on my shirts last time I could slice bread with my sleeve.”
    â€œPhil doesn’t do the shirts,” I said. “I’ll tell the girls to back off a little. See you tonight.”
    â€œI’ll order some pizza. We can have a quiet night at home.”
    â€œI don’t think Charlotte’s stomach can handle pizza.”
    â€œI want pizza,” she said.
    I shook