It Takes Two

Chapter 21

The next few weeks went by smoothly, now that Quinn was out of the picture. Before she was able to go home with Eric, she had to wait for the police to give her statement of what happened. And she wasn’t the only one who came forward about Quinn; it looked like he would be stuck behind bars for a while. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Sookie could finally enjoy being at work now, well, as much as she ever could be surrounded by these people. That Yvetta girl for one, she didn’t know what Pam saw in her. The girl was flaky, and acted like she was the best thing since sliced bread. When Sookie brought that up to Pam, she just shrugged it off with a wave of her hand, explaining that Yvetta was just someone to give her a release after a hard day, nothing more than that.

It wasn’t Sookie’s place, but she worried that Pam would never find someone to settle down with at this rate. Not that Pam would ever actually admit to wanting that, but could easily see the way she looked at Eric when he was with the girls. Pam may claim she didn’t want that kind of life, but in Sookie’s opinion, it was all just a front. She wasn’t as tough as she appeared to those around her, but bringing that up would only likely upset her. With that thought in mind, Sookie carried on with her work, hoping that Pam would eventually come to her senses on her own.

* * * * *

“This conversation is over, Olivia. You’ve pulled the stomachache excuse before when you had a big test; I’m not falling for it again.”

“This isn’t the same thing, Dad. I’m telling the truth, my tummy has been bothering me for days. I just never cared to say anything before, but now it’s gotten worse. Please, don’t make me go to school today,” she pleaded.

Eric gave her a look. “You expect for me to believe that when I know you have a Math test today? One that I know you are not prepared for, even though I told you how important it was to study.”

Sookie tried not to eavesdrop, but it was a losing battle. She remembered a time when she would try to get out of going to school, but it was mostly because the school bully liked to make it a habit to torment her. Sookie wondered if this had something more to do with Jimmy than it was the test itself. Olivia hadn’t been talking about him much lately. That led Sookie to believe there was possibly trouble in paradise.

Eric wasn’t giving in this time. “I have to go. I’m already late enough as it is. Sookie will take you girls to school today; we’re not discussing this again. Just try your best; I’m sure you’ll do a fine job. There’s nothing to worry about.” He kissed her forehead, hurrying over to the front door where Sookie was waiting. “You’ll make sure she gets there okay, right? She’ll get over whatever’s bothering her eventually, but she can’t afford to miss another day. Olivia has to know that she can’t always pull this stuff; it’s hard to see that she’s growing up when she keeps acting like a child. Tough love, can you handle it?”

Sookie nodded, and with a parting kiss to her cheek, Eric was out the door. She finished getting Emma ready for school, and then turned back to Olivia who was sitting on the couch, clutching her stomach like she was in agony. The girl looked up at her, and when Sookie saw the tears, she knew something was seriously wrong. Kneeling down to be closer to her, Sookie took her hand, giving it a light squeeze. “Is your tummy really bothering you, or is this just to get out of going to school? I need you to be honest with me, honey.”

Olivia nodded, tears streaming down her face at the pain. “It really hurts.”

That was all Sookie needed to hear, knowing a lie when she saw one, and this girl was definitely telling the truth. For the last week or so, Sookie’s belly had been feeling a bit queasy as well, but she didn’t think it was worth mentioning. Now she had to wonder if maybe there was a stomach bug going around, but she would deal with that later. “Come on, we’re going to the hospital.” She pulled Olivia up slowly and over to the door, once Emma was ready, they headed out for the nearest hospital. Sookie just prayed she was doing the right thing, and that Eric wouldn’t be mad at her for defying him, but if something was really wrong, she couldn’t ignore that. He would just have to understand.

* * * * *

“How can you stand being with the same woman every day? I could never do that. I tend to get bored too easily.”

Eric rolled his eyes. “How are we even friends? You just haven’t found the right woman yet. When it happens, you’ll see that it’s not such a bad thing to wake up to the same face for the rest of your life.”

Alcide shook his head. “Doubtful, that’s just not for me. Your sister has it right, and if she was at all interested in a penis…”

Eric held his hand up, effectively cutting him off. “I beg you not to finish that sentence. Let’s just be glad she isn’t, or I’d have to kill you for even thinking of going after her.”

He laughed. “Don’t worry; she’s not really my type. I was just making an observation.”

“It would be best if you kept those to yourself.”

Alcide nodded. “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try. Sookie is quite the hottie, though; I can understand you giving up everything for her.”

“I haven’t given anything up,” Eric claimed.

“That’s right; she’s the one who gave everything up to move here for you. I’ll say it again, you’re one lucky bastard.”

Eric didn’t know why, but that was the first time he felt guilty since having Sookie move in with him. She never mentioned anything about having regrets, but he could tell how much she missed her friends. She spent nearly two hours with Amelia on the phone the other day, and once the call ended, this wave of sadness took over her. Eric would have to remedy that, talk to Amelia without Sookie knowing about it, and convince her to visit. Although, he had a feeling it wouldn’t take much convincing.

“Northman! You have a phone call in the office. I think it’s your girlfriend, make it quick. Your break is nearly over.”

Eric was broken out of his reverie by his boss’ voice, wondering why Sookie would be calling him now. He quickly got up to take the phone, his face draining of all color when he realized his little girl was in the hospital with appendicitis. After that, he couldn’t leave fast enough.