I hit STOP on my seal video. Becca showed it to me the day I found out about Goldy and I watch it whenever I need to laugh. I know it’s a lame attempt to help Oliver feel better, but I’m relieved he at least smiled.

Dr. Demarko nods at me.

My mom’s phone rings four times before she answers, sounding breathless. “Flora! I’ve been so worried. So, so worried. Is it true what they said on the news? Are you really going to quarantine for thirty days?” All the anger from her voice the last time I talked to her is gone, and I miss her so much it takes my breath away for a second.

“I’m sorry,” I say, just as she says, “This is all my fault.”

“What? No, Mom, this isn’t anyone’s fault,” I say.

“No, it is. I just … How are you feeling?”

“I feel okay,” I say honestly.

I look at Dr. Demarko, say, “The head doctor is actually with me. She can talk to you, explain more.”

I hand the phone to Dr. Demarko, watch her talk to my mom, explain what quarantine will entail, that she’s not allowed to visit yet, but she should still think about coming to Miami soon. Oliver is scrolling through his phone. He looks up at me. “I’m trying to find a video to make you feel better. But maybe you don’t need to feel better? I don’t hear your mom freaking out like mine did.”

“Oh, she’s freaking out in her own way,” I say, then feel guilty. “Anyway, what kind of video did you find?”

Oliver shakes his head. “Oh, nothing that great. Just a cat sneezing and, uh, passing gas at the same time.”

“Not great? That’s a scientific miracle!”

“Isn’t that an oxymoron?” Oliver says.

“Farting and sneezing at the same time?”

Oliver blushes and says, “No! Why are we talking about farting? Can a miracle be scientific? I think it’s an oxymoron.”

“I think you just want to show off a word you learned in your English class.”

“Well, we’ll have thirty days to find out,” Oliver says.

“Why you used the word oxymoron?”

Oliver exhales loudly. But he smiles at me.

His eyes crinkle up when he smiles. It’s nice.

Dr. Demarko snaps me out of my trance, though, and hands me my phone.

“Flora, I’m coming to Miami!” my mom says.

“You are?” I say, surprised. “What about Randy?”

“Your uncle and I will make arrangements. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Yeah I do, he’s my cousin.”

“And he’s my nephew,” my mom says, speaking a bit more sternly. “Please don’t worry about anyone but yourself now.”

Dr. Demarko is waving to someone, and I turn and see that Joey is coming back. “I think I have to go now,” I say.

“Let’s talk when you get to your hospital room.” Her voice sounds a little quivery, but she clears her throat.

“Yep,” I say, afraid of the quivers in my own voice if I attempt to say anything else.

“I love you, Flora.”

“Yep,” I say again.

I hang up, and seeing Joey again helps a little.

He gestures to the stretchers. “Your chariots await. Hop in!”

“I’ll see you at the hospital,” Dr. Demarko says. “Have a good ride.”

I look at Oliver, and his eyes are bugging out of his head, and it suddenly dawns on me that he didn’t tell Joey or any of the CDC workers or Dr. Demarko about my fake fever.

And I have no idea why.