Page 41 of Will to Run

“No,” I mumble. “This is great.”

“Okay, well, text me if you think of anything.”

But I don’t want her to go. I don’t want her sitting in here and watching over me, but I want her close by. I haven’t relied on anyone in longer than I want to admit, and there is something about being taken care of right now that I’m selfishly enjoying.

“Please don’t go, Della,”

I can’t see her because my eyes are covered, but I hear her body freeze because she stops shuffling about.

“You want me to sit with you?” she asks.

“No. Not in here. I just… can you just watch TV or something? I don’t know. It’s weird, I know.” The moment the words leave my mouth, I feel exposed. Not because I don’t mean it, but because they’re honest, and I’m still grappling with how to proceed with Della Tatroe. This feels bigger than asking a friend to ride this out with me.

“Not at all, Jax,” she touches my knee again, “I’ll hang on the couch. Call my name if you need anything.”

“Del,” I say, not knowing if she’s left yet.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you,” I say, “for coming and bringing all these things.”

I hear her smile again. “Happy to help, Jaxon.” Soon after the click of the door closing, I fall asleep with a grateful smile.

When I wake up, I take off the relief cap and am completely disoriented. The clock on the wall tells me I’ve slept for more than half a day. Though the acuity of the migraine has passed, I’m left with that lingering fog. Digging my palms into my temples, if I didn’t have the physical reminders of Della being here, I would have thought it was a dream.

On my nightstand, there’s my meds, the orange drink that I take another few sips of, and a note from her.

Hey Jax,

I know you said you wanted me close, and though I stayed for two hours, I figured when you got up, the worst would have passed. Text me when you wake up, regardless, but I can be back at your house ASAP if you need something. Hazel got your meds from Cayson, so take them with the electrolyte drink if you still need relief. Hope you feel a bit better!

-Della

I flop back on my pillow and close my eyes, appreciating the small acts of kindness from her. Grabbing my phone, I see she put it on do not disturb for me, so I have several texts that I never heard. Which is good because there’s no way I would have slept that long.

Jaxon

Hey, I’m up. Pretty sure I've gotten more sleep during this nap than I’ve gotten in a week. Thank you so much, Della. It was so sweet of you to drop everything and come. I’m ordering one of those relief caps today.

It’s as if she’s by her phone waiting for my text, because her reply is immediate.

Della

Glad you slept off the worst of it. Pink’s your color, Jax. I know this wasn’t in your plan, and you have a ton to do. How can I help you catch up on what you missed today?

The care behind the question unsettles me. Normally, I wouldn’t take someone up on that, but if this means that I can spend more time with her, count me in. The thought of getting up and getting my ass to the office is too much, though, so I tell her what I need.

Jaxon

Honestly, I would love to take you up on your offer. If Cayson or Everest can let you into my office, there are two big bins on the table. I need to put packets together, and maybe we can do that over here? If you have one of them, put it in the car. I’ll unload when you get here.

Della

Done and done! See you soon.

I'm still not feeling great, but I need this task completed. The big influx of seasonal workers is happening this week, and they need these when they report for check-in. Taking more over-the-counter medicine and drinking more of the drink she left me, I get up and shower, changing into gray sweats and a shirt for the task. I’m ravenous, but before I can tackle the hunger, there’s a knock on my back door. She must have left the barn early to get here.

When I open it, she’s standing there with the two huge bins at her feet and a bag on top of them. Not believing she carried those, I look outside for my brothers.