Chapter 6: Jingle bingle

I wake up and I’m dripping in sweat.

I must have had a nightmare.

I get out of bed and open the blinds seeing the sun is already out, the heat of the day coming in.

I’m so hot.

I go to the bathroom and have a quick shower to wash out the sweat and get dressed for the day.

The weather app says it’s going to be warm today so I have to dress accordingly.

I tie my hair into a high ponytail and plait the hair so it’s off my neck.

I cough and my throat cracks and I realise how sore my throat is.

“Hello.” I mumble and my voice comes out all husky.

I hope I’m not sick. Oh god.

I leave my bedroom and wipe my tears as I can’t go see mama in case I might be sick.

I really want to see her, but if I’m sick, then I will get her even more sick than I already have.

I go downstairs and I see my dad watching TV.

I don’t think I’ve ever run out of my house and jumped on my bike so quickly.

I go to the florist. I have nothing else to do.

~~

I lean against the counter, “Honey, you should go home, you don’t look well.” Gracie says.

“Okay.” My voice croaks.

I’m not going home. Not when I’m sick, I’ll make mama even more sick and dad will blame me even worse.

I leave the shop and get on my bike. I begin riding around town, the sun sinking into my skin and I become so lightheaded.

Am I dying? Is it finally happening? Is it over?

Sweat drips down my body. I can’t take it anymore, I need to cool off.

I slowly ride over to the garage and up the driveway, popping up the stand of my bike.

I’m probably ruining their days. They probably don’t even want to see me.

But I want to see them.

All the boys, even Parker, all stand beside the fridge, cold bottles of water in their hands.

Every single one of them are in dark denim jorts, shirtless, hair messy, abs out.

Holy guacamole.

“Hey, P.” Wes says.

I slowly walk up to them, “Hi.” I give a light smile.

“You okay?” Parker asks, handing me his water.

I nod and take a sip, tilting my head back which makes me stumble.

I catch myself and wait for the dizziness to fade, “Woah.” My voice cracks.

Parker places the back of his hand to my forehead, “Holy fuck, you’re so hot.”

I smile, “Thank you. You’re hot too.”

“No, your body temperature is hot.”

My eyes widen, “Oh right. That’s what I meant.” I nod.

I get dizzy as I nod and trip. Parker sticks his hands out grabbing my waist and pulling me closer to him.

He helps me walk through the back door and into his office, sitting me on the small brown sofa in the corner.

I sniffle and wipe the sweat off my neck.

“Have you eaten today?”

I nod, “Mhm, I had a bowl of fruit loops for breakfast.”

“It’s 2pm, Penelope.” He slides on his shirt.

“Oh.”

I cough into my elbow. I really don’t feel good.

“Do you want me to take you home?” Parker bends down in front of me.

“I can’t go home if I’m sick,” I admit.

“Why not?”

I fiddle with the end of my shorts. I can’t really lie now can I?

“My mama is really sick.” I mutter keeping my eyes on my fidgeting fingers.

“Can you not be sick together?”

“She doesn’t have a cold. She, um, she, h-has cancer.”

Parker puts his hands on my thighs closer to my knees and I look at him.

His face is softer than I’ve ever seen it. I watch his eyes as they move around my face.

“Is she okay?”

“Um, no, not really,” Tears fill my eyes, “The doctors say she won’t make it much longer.” I sniffle and spin the silver ring on Parker’s left pointer finger.

“Are you okay?” His voice is so gentle and tender. Like he actually cares if I’m okay or not.

I nod, not making eye contact.

“Are you sure?”

I smile, “Of course.”

He doesn’t look very convinced as his brows are now drawn together.

“Do you want to come home with me tonight? If you can’t go home.”

“No, no it’s okay. I don’t want to burden you like that. I’m sure you have things to do.”

“You wouldn’t burden me, P.”

I smile as he used my nickname, “Are you sure I won’t bother you?”

“I promise you, you won’t bother me.”

“Okay.”

His thumbs rub against my thighs, “I can take you to my home now if you want, but I have to stay here a bit longer.”

“I can stay for a while.”

He nods and leans over opening the mini fridge beside the sofa and he pulls out a sandwich.

“Eat this.” He places it on my lap and stands up.

Before he can leave I grab his hand, “Thank you.”

“It’s okay.” He squeezes my hand before leaving.

Holy guacamole.

I open up the saran wrap around the sandwich and look at the peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

I smile.

Never would I pick Parker as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich kind of guy.

I take a bite and begin eating the sandwich twisting my ankles in circles.

It’s so quiet here.

“Beep moo.” I mumble to myself.

“Jingle bingle, perry winkle, friendly pickle, wingle mingle.”

I giggle and continue eating the sandwich until it’s all gone.

I hope Parker had something to eat.

I get up and walk over to his desk. I see a business card with his phone number on it.

I smile and pull my phone out messaging him.

Me: How do you like my song, ready?
Jingle bingle, perry winkle, friendly pickle, wingle mingle. Cool right?

Parker: That’s a horrible song, Penelope.

Me: Get back to work, PBJ.

Parker: PBJ?

Me: Peanut butter jelly 😉

Parker: I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as odd as you.

I smile. That’s nice of him to say.

I ponder to the sofa and sink into it laying down.

I begin scrolling on Pinterest until my eyes feel droopy and I can’t keep them open anymore.