Chapter 40: Rough Day

Tuli

I walked into the apartment and found Megan and Daniel in each other’s arms, tears streaming down their faces.

A wave of fear washed over me. “What’s going on, guys?”

Megan pointed to Mr. Biggles’ cage. I turned my gaze towards it.

He wasn’t dead, but he was far from his usual self. He was lying there, staring blankly at me.

I opened the cage and let him sniff my hand. He didn’t resist when I picked him up, and I held him close to my chest.

“What’s wrong with him?”

Megan gently stroked his fur.

“He’s been sleeping all day and won’t eat. He only moves to drink water or use the bathroom. His belly looks swollen, see? It’s been like this for a while, but I didn’t think much of it until today.”

“Did you call the vet?”

She nodded. “They told us to bring him in tomorrow. We’ve already scheduled an appointment.”

“What time?” I asked.

“Ten in the morning.”

That was right in the middle of Jayce’s class.

I’d rather take Mr. Biggles to the vet than deal with Jayce at the moment. I might lose some attendance points, but it was a small price to pay to ensure my pet was okay.

***

“I’m afraid your ferret might have adrenal cancer,” the vet said, her face filled with concern.

“What does that mean?” I asked, tears welling up in my eyes as I stroked Mr. Biggles’ fur.

“Well, it’s a bit complicated, but in simple terms, when ferrets are spayed or neutered, they can’t produce sex hormones anymore. So, the adrenal gland stops producing these hormones, and the Luteinizing hormone in the brain keeps stimulating the adrenal glands, leading to the growth of hyperplasia or tumescent cells on the adrenal gland.”

“So, what can we do?” Daniel asked, his hands on my shoulders, giving them a comforting squeeze.

“We need to take a blood sample, run some tests, and possibly do an ultrasound to check if either of the glands is abnormally enlarged. If the tests come back positive, we’ll have to remove the affected gland. But first, we need to ensure he’s healthy enough for surgery.

“We’ll take a blood sample and do an ultrasound today. If he tests positive, we can prepare for surgery and schedule it for Saturday.”

“What should we do until then?” Megan’s eyes were wide and filled with fear.

“Just keep an eye on him. Even if he doesn’t eat, keep offering him food. Call us if anything changes.”

We left the clinic, with me carrying Mr. Biggles in his carrier. Megan turned to me. “Are you going to school now?”

I shook my head. “Can you take the bus? I need some time alone.”

She nodded and gave me a tight hug before taking the carrier.

Daniel gave me a reassuring smile. “Everything will be okay, sis. I promise.”

I nodded, fighting back tears.

I got into my car and drove to Faversham Park. I parked the car, got out, and walked around the pond to the bottom of a hill. I climbed to the top, sat down, and buried my face in my arms, letting the tears flow.

I wondered what Adam would do if he were here. Maybe life would be easier then. Maybe I could talk to him about Jayce. Maybe Jayce wouldn’t even matter.

But he was gone. I wondered if he ever really cared.

I was sobbing, oblivious to the sound of footsteps on the grass. I felt a tap on my shoulder and jumped.

Armand stood there, his hands raised in a placating gesture.

“It is you,” he said, surprised.

He looked at my tear-streaked face, and his surprise turned into concern. “What’s wrong, signorina?”

I shook my head. He extended his hand to me. I placed my hand in his, and he pulled me up, wrapping me in a comforting hug.

“I—I don’t want to talk about it right now,” I managed to say through my sobs.

“Okay,” he said simply, holding me close.

We stood there for a few minutes until my crying subsided. He then pulled away. “Do you feel a little better?”

I nodded, wiping my nose on the sleeve of my hoodie.

“How about I make you a cup of hot cocoa? It’ll help you relax. I make a mean cup of cocoa.”

“Are your parents home?” I asked.

“I moved out last week. I found a roommate, and my job pays well, so I thought it was time. My roommate’s at work, so we’ll have the apartment to ourselves.”

“Oh. Okay. Cocoa sounds good.”

He smiled. “Do you mind if we walk? It’s not far from here.”

“Sure.”

I followed him to his apartment. Once inside, he told me to sit down and turn on the TV. A rerun of ~South Park~ was playing.

“You can change the channel if you want,” he called from the kitchen.

“No, it’s okay. I like ~South Park~,” I said, managing a small smile.

“It’s a pretty funny show.”

I heard sounds from the kitchen—cupboards opening and closing, the clink of metal, water boiling, the sound of glass against wood.

Armand came back with two mugs of steaming cocoa.

“Be careful, it’s really hot,” he warned.

“Thanks,” I murmured, taking the mug from him.

I scooped up some of the cocoa with the spoon, blew on it, and took a sip.

The rich, creamy chocolate flavor exploded in my mouth, and I almost moaned in delight.

“I told you it was good.”

“It’s way better than instant cocoa!”

“I can’t stand instant cocoa. It tastes so artificial. I learned to make real hot chocolate from my mom.”

“Armand, I appreciate this,” I said, my gaze fixed on the swirling liquid in my cup. “I know I’m being a pain, keeping my problems to myself, but I’m grateful for your understanding.”

He placed his own mug on the table and moved to sit beside me. I took another sip of my cocoa before setting it down. He gently held my hands in his.

“Tuli, I care about you. It hurts to see you in tears.”

I managed a smile, my eyes still glistening. “Thank you, Armand.”

He returned the smile, but remained silent. He began to lean in.

~I knew this was coming.~

“I can’t, Armand,” I said, pulling back. “I’m sorry.”

He retreated. “I understand. You’re upset. Maybe when things settle down, we can give it another shot.”

I shook my head, a pang of guilt hitting me. Even though I wasn’t ready for a relationship, I was in love with Jayce.

I couldn’t lead Armand on. It wouldn’t be fair to him.

“You have feelings for that professor, don’t you?” Armand asked softly.

I looked at him, taken aback. “What are you talking about?”

“Tuli, I’m not blind. When we had lunch together, and you greeted him. The way you looked at him. The way he looked at you. You slept with him, didn’t you?”

His words made me wince.

“You didn’t even let me know if you were okay after you fell ill. I’ve been waiting to hear from you for nearly two weeks!”

I felt my anger rise. “Well, you could have called to check on me!”

“I didn’t call because I was scared I’d hear Professor Asshole answer and find out he’s sleeping with the girl I love!” he yelled, standing up.

I stared at him, wide-eyed. Armand’s expression softened.

“I’m sorry, Tuli,” he said quietly. “It just hurts to know that you’d rather be with someone you can’t have, instead of me.”

I had suspected he felt this way, but hearing it out loud didn’t make it any less painful. I was at a loss for words.

Armand sighed. “I’ll always be your second choice, won’t I?”

I remained silent. He turned his back to me.

“Go home, Tuli.”

“Armand, I—”

“Just go home!”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I walked to his apartment door. “I’m sorry,” I choked out. “I do care about you.”

Once I’d shut the door behind me, I ran all the way back to Faversham Park.

I got into my car and started the engine, tears streaming down my face as I drove out of the parking lot.

***

I pulled up outside Jayce’s place.

I muttered a silent thank-you when I saw his car parked out front.

I rang the doorbell more times than I could count.

Jayce swung the door open, not expecting anyone. “Jesus, can you chill—”

He grunted as I flung myself into his arms.

“Tuli! What are you doing here?”

All I could do was sob and cling to him.

“What happened?”

“Can you just hold me?” I sobbed.

“Okay, okay,” he said, his voice soothing.

We moved into the living room. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap, holding me close as I cried.

“I’m here, Tuli. I’m right here.”