19: FEELING UNEASY

Ivy woke up with the first light of dawn filtering through her curtains, the unsettling feeling from the night before still lingering in the pit of her stomach. She stretched and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the unease. The house was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the air purification system. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table; it was just past 7 AM.

She went through her morning routine mechanically: brushing her teeth, washing her face, and changing into a comfortable outfit. As part of her SCID routine, she carefully sanitized her hands and checked the air filters in her room. The familiar actions brought a small measure of comfort, but the unease remained. As she descended the stairs, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of her parents' hushed conversation reached her.

Entering the kitchen, she found her parents and her younger brother, Liam, sitting at the table, their faces lighting up as they saw her. "Good morning, sweetheart," her mother greeted her with a warm smile. "We have some news."

Ivy poured herself a cup of herbal tea and joined them at the table, where her separate meal, prepared according to her dietary restrictions, was already set. Her breakfast consisted of a bowl of oatmeal with fresh berries and a side of scrambled eggs. In contrast, her parents and Liam were finishing up their breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs.

"What's up?" she asked, trying to sound cheerful.

Her father cleared his throat. "We wanted to tell you that we're going on a vacation in two days. Just for a week."

Ivy's eyes widened in surprise. "A vacation? That's great! You both really need a break."

Her parents exchanged a glance, relieved by her reaction. "We thought so too," her mother said. "But we'll be back before you know it .

After breakfast, Ivy helped her mother clear the table, stacking the plates and carrying them to the sink. She wasn't her usual chatty self, and her parents noticed the change, their concerned glances not escaping her notice. Liam, too, looked at her with concern when their father asked, "Ivy, is everything okay?" His voice was gentle.

She forced a smile. "I'm fine, Dad. Just a bit tired, I guess."

But deep down, Ivy knew it was more than that. The unsettling feeling gnawed at her, a vague sense of dread she couldn't quite place. She didn't want to worry her parents, especially with their vacation coming up, so she kept her worries to herself.

Her parents exchanged another look, this one filled with unspoken concern. "If there's anything bothering you, you can always talk to us," her mother said softly. "We don't want to pressure you, but we're here for you."

Ivy nodded, grateful for their support. "I know, Mom. Thanks."

After breakfast, her father and Liam left as usual Liam to school and David to the laboratory. Elena, her mother, lingered a bit longer, making sure everything was in order before heading to the clinic. Before she left, she reassured Ivy, "Remember, whatever is bothering you, you can always share it with us."

"I will, Mom. Thanks," Ivy replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

As soon as her family left, Ivy decided to take Toby, their loyal shih Tzu puppy for a walk in the garden. The fresh air and the sight of blooming flowers usually helped clear her mind. She hoped that a walk with Toby would help her shake off the unsettling feeling that had been plaguing her for some days now.

The garden was a sanctuary, a place where Ivy could escape the confines of her condition and feel a semblance of normalcy. It was summer, and the garden was in full bloom, with vibrant flowers and lush greenery. The scent of roses filled the air, and the gentle breeze was soothing. She watched as Toby bounded ahead, his golden fur gleaming in the sunlight. He dug around in the flower beds, getting his fur dirty, but Ivy didn't mind. His playful antics brought a small smile to her face.

As she walked, Ivy's thoughts drifted. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was. Her mind wandered to the upcoming vacation. She was genuinely happy for her parents; they deserved a break. But the thought of being without them, even for a week, filled her with a sense of dread. What if something happened while they were away? What if she needed them and they weren't there?

Ivy shook her head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. She knew she was being irrational. Her parents had made sure she was well taken care of, and they would only be gone for a week. Still, the unease lingered.

She thought about her SCID and how it had shaped her life. Every day was a careful balance of routines and precautions to keep her safe. Sometimes, it felt like she was living in a bubble, isolated from the world. She longed for normalcy, for the freedom to do things without constantly worrying about her health.

Toby barked, snapping Ivy out of her reverie. He had found a stick and was wagging his tail, looking at her expectantly. She laughed and threw the stick, watching as he chased after it with boundless energy. For a moment, the weight on her chest lifted, and she felt a glimmer of hope.

As they continued their walk, Ivy tried to focus on the beauty around her. The garden was a riot of colors, with butterflies flitting from flower to flower. She took a deep breath, letting the tranquility of the garden wash over her.

Despite her efforts, the unsettling feeling remained, lurking at the back of her mind. Ivy knew she needed to talk to someone about it, but she didn't want to burden her family. They had enough to worry about with their own responsibilities. She decided to keep her feelings to herself for now, hoping that the unease would pass with time.

When they got back to the house, Ivy decided to give Toby a nice bath. She filled the tub with warm water and gently scrubbed the dirt from his fur. Toby seemed to enjoy the attention, wagging his tail and splashing water everywhere,she chuckled at that. After the bath, she dried him off with a towel and fed him his favorite treats.

With Toby clean and content, Ivy turned her attention to her studies. She was homeschooled due to her condition, and her lessons were a mix of online classes and assignments her parents helped her with. She thought it was time to get back to her lessons since she had taken a break after returning from the hospital. She settled at her desk, trying to focus on her schoolwork, but her mind kept drifting back to the unsettling feeling that had been with her all day.

As evening approached, Ivy sat by the window, watching the sunset. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, a beautiful end to a long day. She sighed, wishing she could shake off the feeling of dread that had settled over her.