Sleepyhead
Chloe knocked on the guest room door, but there was no answer. She knocked harder, but the only response she got was the sound of Brady mumbling. She twisted the door knob and peeked inside, but she didn't see him. She stepped inside and walked toward the bed, which was littered with crumpled blankets. The pile of blankets moved, sighing loudly.
Ch: (quietly) Brady…
As the pile shifted, a blanket slid off the bed, revealing a back, to be precise, a backside. She nearly gasped when she saw ribs through his skin. His penchant for bowling shirts also served as the perfect camouflage for his condition. She resisted the urge to trace his ribs with her fingers. Pained, she carefully covered him.
Ch: (to herself) Poor B. You need to fatten up.
Chloe moved to the head of the bed and kneeled next to it. She carefully uncovered his head and watched him. She raked his hair with her fingers, hoping he would wake up. He nuzzled the pillow, smiling to himself.
Ch: (quietly) Hey, you.
He rubbed his face in the pillow, mumbling something to himself.
Ch: Come on, Brady. It's time to get up. I need to tell you something very important.
Br: (muttering) Is it about Chloe, Mom?
Chloe sat on her legs, watching the worry crawl across his sleepy face.
Ch: Brady, sweetie, this isn't your mom. It's me.
Br: Stop teasing me, Mom. Please tell me about her.
Ch: (frustrated) Brady, for the last time, I'm not your mom.
Placing her hands on the bed, she attempted to raise herself, but he grabbed her hand.
Br: (muttering) Please don't go.
Chloe sat on her legs, confused about how to handle this. She didn't want to embarrass him by waking him, since he's been so good to her. She didn't want to hurt him by pretending to be Isabella, since his mother was so important to him. What can she do?
Ch: (whispering) Sweetie, I want you to listen carefully. Please, go to sleep.
Chloe rubbed his shoulder, trying to lull him to sleep. He turned away from her, snoring softly. She carefully stood up and tiptoed toward the door.
Br: (mumbling) The baroness…
Ch: (turning around) I knew you were into blondes.
Br: (rolling over) No, I'm not.
Ch: (walking toward the bed) Then who are you into, Brady?
Brady buried his head in the pillow. She kneeled next to the bed and rubbed his eyebrow, which made him turn his face to her.
Ch: (whispering) Who are you into… the counter girl at Dot.com?
His expression didn't change.
Ch: Nicole Walker?
Brady raised an eyebrow as a devilish grin crept across his face. Chloe wasn't amused.
Ch: (scowling) Chloe Lane?
He snuggled his pillow as he sunk into bed. A bigger, more devilish smile crossed his face, as he laughed to himself. Chloe blushed, until she saw his smile fade into a frown.
Ch: (concerned) What's the matter?
Br: She's sick.
Ch: (sad) I know.
Br: I don't want her to die, Mom. I don't know what I'd do if she did. I'm scared.
Ch: (caressing his cheek) You did everything you could and I know you would have done more.
Br: She can't leave me, Mom. I can't bear losing another…
Ch: Another what?
Br: (sighing) Loved one.
Ch: So you love her?
Br: Uh huh.
Ch: In what way?
Br: (bashfully) You know, Mom.
Ch: Indulge me…
Br: We've been through this before, Mom. I've said it once. Don't make me say it again.
Ch: Why not?
Br: (sighing) Because… she's still into your kid brother, Phillip.
Ch: Oh really?
Br: (nuzzling) Don't ask me why she wants him instead of…
Ch: You?
Br: Yeah.
Ch: Well, try to answer me.
Br: (sighing) Because she loves him, but I prefer to think she's crazy.
Ch: Brady…
Br: Well, she is, Mom. Why else would she pass me over? You may not see it, because I'm your baby, but I'm pretty hot.
Ch: (smirking) Are you, now?
Br: (sheepish) Yeah, I am. But you probably prefer dark-haired men.
Ch: (pinching his cheek) … until you came along…
Br: (laughing sheepishly) Thanks, Mom.
Ch: (smiling) … although you could use a shave.
Brady made a face.
Ch: (smiling) Just kidding.
Brady smiled to himself.
Ch: I'm sure I can speak for her. She notices you, not because 'you're hot' but for other reasons.
Br: (sadly) Yeah, but only because Phillip isn't around.
Ch: That's not true.
Br: Yes, it is.
Ch: Well, if it is hopeless, that eventually she will go back to Phillip, then why do you torture yourself? I mean, why would you endure months of watching her suffer, if there was no hope for the two of you?
Br: Because, if I can help keep her here, I'll do it. I don't care if she goes back to Phillip… (making a face) okay, I would care, but I could live with it. Chloe, gone… (shaking his head) No…
Ch: (kissing his cheek) Calm down, sweetie. (pulling the blankets to his shoulders) Please, baby, go to sleep.
Br: But you didn't tell me about her.
Ch: Don't worry. You'll find out soon.
Chloe rubbed his back and slowly stood up. She quietly left the room. Brady snuggled the pillow firmly, as he fell into a deeper sleep. There was a knock on the door, but he didn't stir. The knocking grew louder, but he didn't move. Then, there was silence. He rolled over, facing the door.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Brady sat up.