Free Redeeming by Gabrielle Demonico Page A

if I feel better.”
    Her mother nodded a few minutes later as she returned with her food.
    “Here you go, sweetie…” she said as she handed it to her. She hugged Daniella and said, “I hope you feel better.”
    “Thanks, Mom.”
    Tricia grabbed their stuff and headed for the front door. Daniella turned to follow her out.
    “Call or text me later and let me know how you are feeling.” Marilyn said.
    “Okay, I will.” Daniella replied.
    ***
    “Where is Jett?” Tricia asked as the women walked into Daniella’s apartment.
    “Oh, he’s at his parents’ place for the night.” Daniella began. “Thanks for driving me home. I’m feeling much better.”
    “Good,” Tricia said as she tossed her purse on the couch. “You had me worried there for a little bit.”
    Daniella plopped down on a barstool next to her kitchen. The nausea might have abated for a few minutes but it exhaustion took its place.
    “I am so tired.” She moaned. “I feel like I could fall asleep just sitting here.”
    Tricia patted her on the back on the way to the kitchen. With the leftovers in one hand, she opened the fridge and slid them inside. “Do you want me to fix you something to eat besides your Mom’s lasagna?”
    Daniella rested her head on the kitchen counter but didn ’t respond.
    Tricia started to name off the contents as she leaned against the refrigerator door. “Let’s see… yogurt, leftover fruit salad, peanut butter, two fig bars… Sheesh, when’s the last time you went to the store…?”
    As Tricia spoke, Daniella got up from the barstool and wandered over to the couch for a bit more comfort. After she sat, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “I don’t want anything. I’m fine. Really.”
    Daniella heard the door to the refrigerator close. A few seconds later, Tricia stood next to her. She felt the sudden jolt of a cold jar against her shoulder. Her head shot up and her eyes flipped open.
    “Hey!” Daniella exclaimed. “That’s freezing!”
    Tricia raised one eyebrow as she looked down at her friend with a smirk on her face. “What about one of these?”
    “A pickle?” Daniella replied. “No, I don’t want any pickles right now, thank you.”
    “You, um, sure about that?”
    “Yes,” Daniella began. “What is wrong with you? Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “The way you’re smiling at me. What’s gotten into you?”
    Tricia nodded her head and placed the jar of pickles down on the coffee table. “That’s the wrong question. The question is what’s gotten into you?”
    “What?” Daniella said. “You aren’t making any sense.”
    Tricia rounded the table and took a seat next to Daniella on the couch. She crossed her legs together at the knee. “It’s simple really. Has it occurred to you that you aren’t sick at all?”
    “Tricia I am so tired.” Daniella exhaled . “I am not following you in the slightest. What are you insinuating? That I’m pregnant or something?”
    Wordl ess, Tricia raised her eyebrows again.
    Daniella broke into hysterical laughter. “Oh come on, Tricia. That is totally ridiculous.”
    “Is it?” Tricia interjected. “The smell of food makes you queasy, you are throwing up without having a fever, and you are exhausted… Do you need me to go on?”
    “No…” Daniella began. “That’s… it’s… there’s no way.”
    “Well, there’s one way to find out for sure.”
    “Like what?” Daniella scoffed. “What do you mean? A pregnancy test?”
    Tricia nodded.
    For a moment, Daniella considered it but then dismissed the notion as preposterous. With a wave of her hand she said, “Why am I even listening to you? I’m not pregnant, Tricia.”
    But no sooner did those words escape her lips then another rush of nausea hit her.
    “Oh…” Daniella moaned. “Oh I feel sick again.”
    She scrambled to the bathroom and reemerged into the living room about ten minutes later. Tricia stood in the doorway with her