Migraine

Not again, not again. Cameron walked around her house turning off lights and closing curtains. She felt the pain in her head beginning soon after she left work. It had been a stressful day and as much as she tried to relax and not let it get to her, it did. And since it did, it brought on her migraine. Cameron got them often, her mother and grandmother did too, so she knew what to do.

The house had to be dark and there had to be no sound. She had to lie down before the nausea started. She groped around in her nightstand for her medication and quickly swallowed two pills. She walked into the darkened living room and lying back on the couch she closed her eyes and tried to relax.

Her mind wandered back to her job and she frowned at the thought. Her boss had been a complete asshole today; not just to her but to everyone. Stomping around and yelling and standing over people at their desks, all the while complaining about sales numbers and threatening people who didn’t bring theirs up with being fired. She knew her numbers weren’t that high and it really stressed her out, which triggered her headache.

When she felt the dull pain beginning, she knew she was going to be in for one of her migraines. Luckily for her it was the end of the day and she was able to get home before it began in earnest. She shifted on the couch and pushed the thought from her mind; soon falling asleep.

A few hours later Cameron’s boyfriend Terry arrived home. He found it strange that the curtains were closed during the middle of the day. Walking into the house he noticed how dark it was and that the television was off. He was confused for a bit. Then looking around he saw Cameron on the couch, her eyes closed and it dawned on him, she was suffering from another migraine headache today. Work must have been stressful, that was the only time she got these headaches.

Terry tiptoed around quietly, trying to make as little noise as possible. He even shooed his dog Dodger into the bedroom so he wouldn’t disturb her. He worried about her when she got like this. He wandered around the house cleaning a bit and putting up the groceries he bought. Then he began making dinner. All the time trying to be as quiet as possible. Thankfully, it didn’t disturb Cameron and she slept on.

When dinner was finished, he walked over to where Cameron was and quietly called her name. She opened one bleary eye and looked up at him.

“Hey,” he said quietly. “Long day?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” She saw he had a glass of water in his hand. “That for me?”

“Yeah,” he said, handing it to her.

Sitting up slowly she took a grateful sip. “Thanks.”

“‘Nother migraine?” He sat next to her.

“Yeah, it was pretty bad this time. Thankfully I got home and took some medicine before it got worse.”

“I’m sorry.”

She laughed lightly. “It’s not your fault, sweetie. It just happens sometimes. My mom used to get them and so did grandma. It just runs in the family. Nothing one can really do but be prepared.”

“I know, I just wish I knew how to help.”

She sniffed the air, “Well, judging from the smells coming from the kitchen you already have.”

“Yeah, I cooked.” He smiled clearly proud of himself.

“Look at you, Mr. James.”

“How are you feeling now?”

“Better, a lot better. Now that I’m home and you’re here.” Cameron looked around. “Where’s my buddy?”

“Dodger’s in the bedroom, I didn’t want him to bother you.”

“Aww, you know he could never.”

“I know. I just wanted it to be quiet for you for a while. You know how excited he can get.”

Cameron nodded and winced slightly.

“So, what caused this one?”

She slid over next to Terry and laid her head on his shoulder and told him about her job while he stroked her hair softly. She felt his shoulder tense up when she told him about her boss yelling at her.

“You should quit,” he said.

“It’s not that easy.”

“I know, but wasn’t this job supposed to be temporary?”

“Yeah.”

“That was two years ago, you gotta find something else, Cam. Something that makes you happy. Something that won’t stress you out.”

She was quiet. She had been looking but nothing seemed to come her way.

“I know it isn’t easy, Cam. But seeing you like this…. It’s hard. And I know it isn’t healthy for you.”

“Yeah.”

“Look, I’ll help you if you want. We can find something better.”

Cameron brightened at the idea, she didn't know why she had never bothered to ask Terry to help her before. “Okay.”

“Okay. Good. Then you can tell that boss to kiss your ass.”

She laughed again. She was feeling better now that she had a plan and that Terry was there with her.

Taking her head off his shoulder she said “Alright, Mr. James, let’s eat. I wanna see what you made.”

He got up and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her up to stand.

“Oh, wait.” She turned to go to the bedroom. Opening the door she called for Dodger, he came walking out. She knelt down and he licked her face.

“Hey, buddy. Let’s go eat, hmm?”

The two of them joined Terry in the kitchen and settled down for dinner. Her migraine was a thing of the past.