–Damon–
The doctor called it a concussion after his checks. Not food poisoning. The ache above her stomach eased once she vomited. He warned her against sour foods—anything that would trigger acid—and advised her not to drink large amounts of water right after a meal. But that hardly mattered; it was already Livana's habit. She never gulps water after eating. She waits an hour or two, then sips slowly, as though even her thirst has to follow her discipline.
She didn't sleep after the check-up. We went down to the kitchen and watched Chef Wally make the pesto pasta with shrimp—exactly as she'd asked. He cooked in front of her because she wanted to smell it, to hear the pan talk. She couldn't see it, or so I kept telling myself. Sometimes a sliver of doubt pricked me, but I preferred the lie that sheltered me: that she was helpless in the ways I loved to remedy.
