Free Finally & Forever by Robin Jones Gunn

that she knew that Cheryl and Jim had lost a baby boy and that Eli was feeling pressured to live up to his father’s expectations, she felt as if she fit in more, with all of her imperfections.
    “It’s good that you and your dad are at least able to talk things out.” Katie had often wished she could experience that luxury with her parents.
    “True. But here’s the thing. It’s been a long time since I’ve been under my parents’ roof, and in our conversations so far my dad keeps talking to me like I’m a teenager. Before I was at Rancho, I taught at a mission school in southern Kenya. Before that I was in Spain. I haven’t stayed with my parents for almost four years. I’m not sure it’s going to work for me to stay in the room they have set up for me. I mean, I love them. Both of them. I love being with them. But I think if my dad is going to see me as a grown man, I have to be in my own space.”
    “Are you thinking of moving into the Monkey Motel with me?”
    Eli pulled back and gave Katie a curious look.
    “I don’t mean with me. Stop looking at me like that. You know what I mean. You can move into one of the other rooms in that building.”
    “I’ll probably go to the building at the top of the grounds near the laundry facilities. They call it Upper Nine, and they don’t put guests there because the rooms are older. I wouldn’t be taking a good room that might be needed for conferences and guests.”
    “That sounds reasonable.”
    “To us, yes. I didn’t approach the topic with my dad yet. He was too adamant about the other thing with the office and my position here.”
    They were at the door of her room, standing under the overhang as the rain tap-danced on the red tile roof. Around them the elephant-ear-sized leaves of the thick foliage bowed from the weight of the rain and dripped with an uneven rhythm. She felt as if the cool air around them was pressing against her, taking her breath and causing her to shiver.
    “Thanks for listening, Katie.”
    “Of course. Anytime. And thanks for the rile. I’ll see you in a little wide.”
    “The rile? A little wide?” Eli questioned.
    “A-little-while,” Katie overcorrected herself. “You know what I meant. I must be more tired than I thought. I was going to say thanks for the ride, but it was a walk, not a ride. And then I said … Oh, never mind. I just need to go to bed.” She pulled the key to her door out of her shoulder bag and opened the door to her chilly room.
    “You sure you’re okay? Is there anything I can do for you?”
    “No, I just need some sleep. That’s all. I’m fine. Really.”
    “Okay.” He gave her a warm hug. “Get some sleep, and I’ll see you in a little wide. I’ll even take you for another rile if you want.”
    Katie managed a half smile before she went inside and closed the door. The first thing she did was change into warmer clothes. She towel-dried her hair from the moisture that clung to her red, swishy mane and found a pair of socks, which she put on over the pair she already was wearing. Crawling under the covers, Katie pulled up both blankets and continued to shiver. She just couldn’t get warm.
    I should have asked Eli to bring me another blanket. Although I don’t know if they have only a limited number, and I’ve already been allotted two blankets, while some people staying here might only have one
.
    As tired as she was, Katie wasn’t able to get any sort of a nap going. Her thoughts kept bouncing all over the place.
Malaria, Andrew, antibiotics,cherry-flavored throat spray, Rick, roses, New Zealand glacier water …
    Katie remembered the bottle of New Zealand glacier water Eli had brought to her on Valentine’s Day when she was sick. He said he remembered it was her favorite. She would love a sip of water right now. Her head felt hot. So hot. Katie kicked back the blankets and tried to cool off her poor, confused body.
    This is awful. I feel like I have the flu. Please, Lord, no, not the flu.