I turn around, blinking back tears, and pick up another bag full of produce. The bag isn’t particularly heavy, but it’s not light as a feather either. I get a weird twinge of pain in my abdomen when I go to stand up that feels like a period cramp but with more pressure.
Letting the bag fall back to the ground, I slowly straighten up and put my hand on my stomach.
“What’s wrong?” Lucas moves to my side.
“Nothing…I think.” The pain lessens. “Just a cramp. Abby told me just today it’s normal to feel round ligament pain like this.”
“I read about it.” Lucas nods, but his brows are still pinched together with worry. “I’ll finish putting the groceries away. Sit down, put your feet up, and I’ll bring you water.”
“I’m fine,” I say, but then the pain comes back. Not wanting to tell Lucas and make him even more worried, I grab a glass from the cabinet, fill it with water, and go into the living room. Scarlet crowds onto the couch with me, resting her big head on my lap. Closing my eyes, I lean back and run my hand over her wiry fur.
A minute passes and the cramp goes away. I stay perfectly still for another few seconds and then drink some water. I lean forward to set the glass on the coffee table and feel fine. It’s then I realize how fast my heart is beating. I let out a breath, calming myself down. One little twinge of pain nearly sent me into a panic, and all I did was pick up a sort-of-heavy grocery bag.
There’s no way I can go hunt demons. I’d be too nervous, too worried, and being distracted is a good way to get hurt. Finishing the water, I get up to use the bathroom. Lucas has put the rest of the groceries away when I come back onto the kitchen.
“I’m fine,” I tell him and get my phone from my purse. “And I’ll text Easton now to let him know there could be a case in Thorne Hill I’ll need his help with.”
“Does that make you feel better?”
“A little.” I grab a bag of chips and take it to the little kitchen table, eating a handful as I open a text message.
Me: Hey…I might need some help with a demon here in Thorne Hill.
Three little dots show up on the screen right away.
Easton: YOU need help with a demon?
Me: Yeah…kind of a long story that’s probably better to tell you in person. Are you in Chicago?”
Easton: We’re on our way back. M and I went on a hunting trip to Michigan.
I know hunting trip means they tracked or followed demons up there.
Me: Can you meet for lunch tomorrow?
Easton: Sure. Tell me a time and place.
Me: I’ll find a place where I can make a reservation and will text you info. Also, do you guys want to come here for Thanksgiving dinner?
Easton starts typing and stops three times. It’s weird, I know, given our past history, but we’ve come a long way since then. And he came to my wedding, for goodness sake. Thanksgiving dinner isn’t any weirder than that.
Easton: Yeah, Melinda would like that. Thanks.
I smile. Sure, Melinda will like it, but I know he would too.
Me: Great. I’ll give you details tomorrow. Thanks, Easton.
He responds with that stupid thumbs-up. I set the phone down and put a handful of chips on the table, trying to limit myself because I know I could easily sit here and eat half this bag. Needing to keep busy, I go into the basement after I’m done eating and am able to put together two full bags of stuff to donate. I’m not a pack rat by any means, but I hold sentimental value to a surprising amount of stuff down here, as well as suffer from the “what if I get rid of it and then need it” mentally that Lucas doesn’t understand at all, which probably comes from his ability to just go out and buy something brand-new. I got by just fine before but obviously didn’t have money to burn the way Lucas does.
I spend another hour going through boxes and bins, and then go back upstairs to take down the minimal Halloween decor I put up before we left for Florida. Lucas helps me put everything away, and we get the bins of holiday decor all neatly organized for easy moving.
“Are you hungry?” I ask Lucas once we’re back in the kitchen.