Every time You're Around

Oh, the whirlwind of summer kept on spinning. Thankfully, Millie got lots of gigs. Mostly they played at her uncle's old-fashioned soda fountain on Fridays and Saturdays. It felt to KC she was getting the confidence she needed, even if the playlist was mostly Blondie covers, but they were working on their own songs at his place.

"You really trust me," he says as he looks over her shoulder at what she writes on papers, he tries to find a chord that might fit. She nods when he does. It feels right to him too. They sit close and he can't think of any other place he would rather be.

He wonders when it happened. He can't pinpoint it, even if he tries. Instead, he takes in her lemony perfume, hoping she always wears it like her signature. She really is a calm girl. He thinks she brings out his best. She's so nice to him on stage, always making it seem that she's his guest, but they've learned to become a duo.

Maddie and Boone always show up on their Friday nights. Maybe their biggest fans. Finally, KC has discovered he can see Maddie as a family friend, not someone he yearns for. It's been a task. Still, it feels different with Millie. They are partners. Maybe dreamers, too. He holds on to this special bond with her. He's not sure he wants to change it, yet he feels she is the one. Only he's never kissed her. he'd like to but he doesn't want rush, either. He's playing it by ear, a lot like this song they are writing together.

"Do you think you could sing it at the Pride festival?" He asks.

"No," she cracks a laugh. She's had a cough lately. She's been taking some cold meds, but he wonders if it's enough.

KC nods. She needs to save her raspy voice. He's been joining in on the harmonies, but the last few songs at their last gig he sang solo.  He knew it wasn't right. It was her show, but Millie said the crowd loved it. She told him he had his own fan club.

"You did go to the doctor, didn't you?" He asks about the cough. Millie shakes her head, no. She didn't have the time. She isn't always singing. She helps out at the soda shop. They can't seem to have a full staff. Sure, the pay isn't great, but he knows she is overworked.

He hears a little cough. It's not bad. Sounds like it might be a laugh, but when she moves with such a hard squint while adjusting her guitar, he knows it must be something.

"I feel OK setting up," she admits.

"What do you mean?" KC wants to know out of concern.

"Well, it was weird last night," She winces with a sad smile. "I must have turned wrong, or something. It was..." He knows that she doesn't want to tell him. "Excrutating, actually."

"Well, didn't you tell anymore?" KC sits next to her as he puts his guitar aside and even takes her pink guitar aside too.

"No." She wiggles her lips as if she wished he didn't know.

"Where does it hurt?"

"Under my right boob," she says ever so quietly, "But sometimes it moves to the back." It's as if she's gotten to know this pain to live with. "It feels like someone is stabbing with a sharp knife over and over, but I know I look fine."

"You aren't fine," KC gets to his feet as he looks her over. "We need to get you to Urgent Care." 

KC pulls her to her feet. She's sluggish. She's been so good to hide it, but now he knows and he isn't taking NO for an answer.