Whisper

69

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"There was a can with the camping stuff."

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I leaned unsteadily on the counter.

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Whisper appeared right in front of me.

"What's wrong, Daddy? What do you need?"

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"Just a headache, sweetie."

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"There are some ibuprofen in the cabinet downstairs," Whisper informed me, as she disappeared.

A second later she reappeared, with bottle in hand. She tried to open it, but couldn't.

"The cap is stuck, Daddy."

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I smiled slightly.

"It is a childproof cap, hun."

I opened it quickly and took a couple ibuprofen for my headache, washing it down with the coffee.

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"Sit down, Daddy."

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I nodded and sat at the kitchen table.

Whisper filled my mug and then looked toward the hallway.

"Your cell phone is ringing."

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I couldn't hear it.

"I have no idea where it is."

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Whisper put the coffee maker back on the stove and disappeared again. Seconds later, she was back, with my cell phone in hand.

It was still ringing.

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"Its Evangeline," she informed me, nonchalantly.

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I shook my head.

"Shit."

I had forgotten to call her. I picked up the telephone and pressed, accept.

"Hello."

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"Thank god Will, are you ok. I phoned like a dozen times last night. I've been up all night. All kinds of thoughts going through my head.

Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

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"I'm ok Eva. Really. I'm fine."

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"That doesn't sound like ok or fine to me. What's wrong Will?"

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I looked at Whisper sitting on the counter near me. My heart was breaking. What was I to do?

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"Will? Will? Are you there?"

There was panic in her voice.

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'Yea, I'm here Eva. Look, something important has come up and I need a couple days to sort things out. I really don't think I would be very good company."

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"Honey, let me help you," Evangeline pleaded.

"Whatever this is, I know we can work through it."