WRONG WAY - GO BACK

By Tessa Harvey


A few months later she woke up from a bright dream. Her baby boy was smiling up at her, clutching her finger. Little Susi was leaning over her lap, trying to get the tiny boy to notice her.
    He did, and chuckled, grasping her thumb. Susi gasped in surprise and happiness. The baby couldn't hurt, but held her so tightly. Then Dali came, so proud to see the three of them together. He swept his arms around them, wordlessly, face alight with happiness
    But then the dream faded. Eden shivered so hard, her teeth rattled, then she was so hot she tried to throw off the ragged blankets, but couldn't. There was a knock at the door and her landlady came in.
    "Thought you wasn't up," she said roughly. "What's wrong. 'Ere you ain't got Covid, 'ave yer?" Her voice rose, belligerent and sharp. Her eyes searched the room and saw money. Through blurred vision, Eden saw her take some "for the doctor." The woman felt discomforted, realising Eden was watching her. She put some of the money back and left.
    After what seemed like hours or even days later, the doctor came. He wore a mask and examined her closely. Eden tried to move and couldn't. The doctor took a throat swab and one from her nostrils and left. He didn't speak.
    A long time later, the landlady came back. "You 'as flu," she announced. "Want water?" Eden nodded. Her throat and chest hurt. Everything hurt. She managed some water, a few sips. The landlady went away. The light gave way to dark, then it was morning again.
    Sometimes the woman came, sometimes she didn't. After a while she came back. "You looks better. Can you gits up?"
    Eden tried. The room spun around, but she did feel better. "Here's soup." The landlady was gruff, but the soup was good and strengthened Eden.
    The next day she could work half a day and then a full day. She paid the landlady.




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