Making Up For Lost Time

Samantha looked up as she was putting her books into her bag for school that morning and heard Brett coming down the stairs. He was pale, his cheeks were flushed a light pink and the tip of his nose was bright red. "Brett, c'mere," Samantha said, standing against the bar in the center of the kitchen. You feelin' alright?" she asked. "You don't look so good."

Brett sneezed "I'm not feelin good." he answered.

"I can tell," Samantha said. "It's a mother's instinct y'know," she added, gently placing her hand on his forehead. He was substantially warm, but not burning up. "Alright you," Samantha said, poking his chest. "Back upstairs and back in bed."

Brett sighed but he went back up stairs.

Samantha sat her bag back down on the counter and followed him, stipping in the bathroom to grab the thermometer.

Brett sighed and sat back down on his bed.

Samantha walked into the bedroom and sat down next to him. "I'm gonna stay here and make sure you're alright," Samantha said gently.

Brett nodded before he sneezed again.

Samantha got up and tugged the blanket back a bit more. "C'mon, back in bed, you need to rest," she said.

Brett nodded and laid back down.

Samantha smiled and pulled the blankets back over Brett. "Comfortable?" she asked.

"Yeah." Brett answered as he yawned.

"Get some sleep and I'll come up to see how that fever of yours is doing later," Samantha said.

Brett nodded and shut his eyes and soon was asleep.

Samantha went downstairs and grabbed a notebook and just like she'd done in Allied Health class a dozen times, crafted a chart to keep on Brett. If she could get a grade while taking care of him, why not?

Melissa got a call from her daughter a few minutes later. She hadn't been able to take care of him when he was younger, but she had her chance now. She sat downstairs, her housecall bag at her side and waiting for a sign that Brett was awake.

Brett woke up a little later with a sneeze.

Melissa went upstairs and knocked on the door. "Knock knock," she said, black leather bag and Samantha's notebook in her hand.

Brett smiled "Hi momma." he said before he sneezed again.

"Not feelin' too well honey?" Melissa asked softly, kneeling down next to the bed.

Brett shook his head "No."

"Awwww," Melissa said softly. "What's buggin' you baby?"

"My stomach hurts and my nose is running." Brett answered.

Melissa nodded. She had a feeling she knew where this was going. She'd been treating it at Saving Grace Memorial for weeks. She grabbed the thermometer out of the case and turned to Brett. "Open up." she said gently.

Brett nodded and opened his mouth.