Free Give Me Reason (The Reason Series) by Zoey Derrick Page A

You can have more whenever you want, but first I want to make sure it doesn’t come right back up. Deal?"
    I nod, slipping the white envelope with the money into my purse. Between this, what’s left of my paycheck and the money Mikah foisted on me, I’ll actually have some left after paying rent. Maybe with the little extra, I can find myself a new book at the used book store near the laundromat. A little something small for me?  
    "So are you babysitting me all night?" I ask as she's documenting my chart.  
    She laughs. "No, I'm just here until you eat, take a walk, and get settled in for the night. Is that okay?"
    I snort. "Do I get a choice?"
    She laughs again. "Nope, not really."
    I chuckle. "At least that's settled." I smile. "Can I use this phone?" I ask, pointing to the phone beside the bed.  
    She nods. "The T.V., too."  
    "I don't watch T.V., but thank you." She gives me a puzzled look. "A luxury I can't afford," I explain. She nods and I dig into my bag for the little notebook I keep important information in, such as phone numbers.  
    As soon as I open it, Mikah's card falls out. I feel my chest tighten, and I quickly tuck it back out of sight. So far I've done a good job of holding myself in check and not thinking about him.  
    I find the number I'm looking for and dial. The phone rings three times, and then I'm met with a lot of noise. "Hello?"
    "Hi, Laura, it's Vivienne."
    "Oh my goodness. Hi, sweetheart. Are you okay?"
    "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm staying in the hospital tonight."
    "Oh dear."
    "Don't worry, I will fill you in later. Was Bartie pissed?"
    "Oh, sweetheart, no. I had Nyssa covering your shift before I told him. She said that she would cover Sunday for you as well."
    "No need, but thank you. I'll be back in Sunday. Tell Nyssa I can cover her Tuesday shift, if she needs."
    "I'll tell her, but she seemed pretty concerned when I called her today, so don't count on it. Okay?"
    "Alright. I'll see you Sunday?" I say before she can start questioning me again.  
    "Okay, sweetheart."
    "Thanks, Laura."
    "Anytime. Bye, Viv."
    "Bye." I hang up the phone.  
    I look to Amanda, who is smiling at me. "Is everything okay?"
    I nod. "I work for a jerk of a boss that tends to be a bit on the harsh side if you don't work a scheduled shift. He's fired two girls since I've been there because they didn't show up, whether they called or not. So I wanted to make sure I still had a job."
    "And?" she prompts.  
    "For now." I smile. "One of the girls covered my shift and offered to cover Sunday's as well."
    "That might not be a bad idea. Get some extra rest."
    "I wish I could, but I can't afford to go without the pay. Today will be hard enough to make up in tips. Which is why I offered to cover her Tuesday shift."
    "I'm sure it will all work out," she says. She is trying to be nice, but I'm sure she has a hard time relating to being without money. The rock on her right ring finger is a dead giveaway.
    There is a knock on the door. My heart stops. Before Amanda turns to open the door, she pauses to look at me reassuringly. She opens the door and I let out a rushed breath when I see it's a hospital staff member carrying a tray.  
    "Hi, Harold," Amanda says, opening the door wider so he can come in.  
    "Hi, Amanda. Ms. Callahan." He nods in my direction and I breathe in deeply through my nose. "Here you are, sweetheart. Have a nurse call if you’d like anything else," he says as he sets the tray down on the table and slides it in front of me. He pulls the dome off of the top, and the smell of chicken noodle soup fills my nose. It smells good.  
    "Thank you, Harold."  
    "Anytime." He smiles at me and quietly leaves the room.  
    "I'll let you eat. I'll be back in a little bit."
    "Okay," I say. She follows Harold out the door, shutting it behind her.  
    Now that I'm alone with my thoughts and my dinner, I have a hard time moving past what happened with Mikah earlier today. He was only trying to be there for me, and I was