Chapter 5
I was just sitting there. Not doing anything. Not even breathing practically. Everybody came over to me. “Get up! Get up! Get up!” shrieked mom’s voice. I came off of my chair slowly. I didn’t mean to be slow. I didn’t have the strength to be fast and stand up. So I collapsed onto the floor. But not all the people were cleaning. Sally, mom, and grandma were busily cleaning the chair and the table. (Some of my vomit dripped on the chair and table, too.)Dad wasn’t cleaning because he had taken my bowl and was washing it out. My sisters were wearing blank expressions and their jaw was slightly open at what they saw. But my brother was smiling at me as if I had done him a favor. “Get up! Get up!” shrieked mom again. I got up (slowly), and mom started cleaning me. When I got clean, I sank back to the floor slowly. Then I ran to the toilet fast. I did it again. After noon, I had already puked 6 times. Then mom called the doctor.
“She’s already done it 6 times! No 7. She’s doing it now.”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
“She must be sick.”
“Do you know what she has, Dr. Gleesh?”
“I’m pretty sure she has the stomach virus.”
“What do I do?”
“Don’t give her anything to eat. But after 6 hours without puking, you can give her soda.”
“Thanks, Dr. Gleesh!”
I had been listening to the conversation and heard everything that was said. Nobody had noticed my harsh breathing either. I was aghast. I didn’t want to have a stomach virus. But I was determined not to throw up for 6 hours so I could drink some soda. I was hungry because I wasn’t allowed to eat anything. Mom then came to me and I said, “I know, I know. I have the stomach virus. Oh, and mom, could you get me Pepsi? It’s my favorite.” “Sure,” replied mom. “Did you eat anything that could have made you sick?” I thought for a moment. “No─wait! I ate that candy bar. Should’ve let Elizabeet have it so I wouldn’t get sick. But on the other side, I get Pepsi!”
That whole day, I sat on the couch and only got up when I needed to go to the bathroom or get a sip of water. I was determined to last 6 hours without vomiting. At last 6:30 came. Mom went out to buy the Pepsi.
While I sat on the couch I thought, don’t spoil it now. Occasionally, I got up and took a sip of water. When mom and dad came home, I raced to them and asked, “Where iz de Pepsio?” I said it in a weird accent. My dad laughed and said, “Right here! We bought a 24 pack!” I greedily took one out and drank it slowly. It was refreshing down my throat. It was cold and not to bubbly. Just the way I like it. I started reading and drinking my Pepsi slowly at the same time. I thought, what will happen at night? Would I puke in bed? Then I remembered tomorrow was going to be June 21. My birthday! I didn’t want to have a stomach virus on my birthday!
That night I slept very soundly. When I woke up, I no longer felt weak. I felt energetic. While I went downstairs, I tripped and made a big BOOM! Everyone rushed toward me and they said, “Happy birthday!” I told everyone how I felt. Sally patted my back and pointed to the wall. “If you have enough energy, then look over there.” I obeyed and looked. Up against the wall were presents!
