The door opens as a parent volunteer reaches in to help Grace out of the car. The boys jump out like US Army paratroopers earning their jump wings.
“Bye. Have a good day,” I yell after them, Grace gives a quick wave, but the boys are already lost in a sea of tiny, boisterous people. “Guess it’s just you and me, kiddo,” I tell Olivia as I meet her eyes in the mirror.
Beaming back at me, she juts her banana in my direction as I start pulling away from the curb.
“Oh, sorry about that. You should have time to eat it before we get there,” I say, handing it back to her. I watch in the rear-view mirror as she alternates, taking a large bite and offering one to her bunny. Maybe she won’t have time to finish at this rate.Between the chocolate, the banana, and no telling what other germs she comes in contact with at daycare, that poor stuffed rabbit will need a deep clean once she falls asleep tonight.
Making quick time of the trip to daycare, I park the car and exit my door to get Olivia out of her car seat. Carrying her inside, she’s greeted by multiple smiling faces who reassure me it’s no trouble to have her join them today and send Kat their good wishes. Olivia takes their hand without a fuss, knowing she’ll have a fun day while she’s here. Again, I’m feeling blessed.Is it Katarina being sick that has me feeling so melancholy?
Sliding back into the car, I realize I’ve managed my entire morning without the first drop of coffee. I cannot recall if I set up the Cadillac brewing station we own to perk our coffee this morning. Had it brewed, I would’ve smelled that for sure. I’m sure I must’ve forgotten, too focused on ravishing my wife. Looking for the next convenience store I see to get a cup of Joe for my trip into town, I hit Dad’s number on my contact list on my phone.
“Good morning, Nick. What do I owe this wake-up call?”
“Oh, shit, Dad. I’m sorry. I completely zoned out on the time. I thought you were awake.”
“I am. And if I wasn’t, I’d go right back to sleep. It’s nice starting my day with a call from my favorite son.”
Dad jokes. It’s been just him and me since I was sixteen. Will my kids be giving me the eye roll when I deliver the same? Is this something you just acquire over time, or is there a special class I need to take to learn such bad humor? “Well, I might not be your favorite for long. Kat’s not feeling well. If I can’t get out of my afternoon caseload, could you pick up the kids?”
“Nick, you never need to ask. I’d love to do it.”
It suddenly dawns on me. “So, what’ve you been bringing the kids when you pick them up? They wanted no part of me returning for them if Grandpa could do it. Grace let your secret out of the bag.”
“Oh, it’s usually nothing that big. Little novelty treats from the market. Silly penny candy. Although I guess with inflation, I should call it dollar candy, huh?”
“Yeah. Probably so. Well, thank you. They’ll be tickled to see you.”
“How’s Kat? Should I bring her something for lunch?”
My thoughts harken back to a time when my father was excited to meet a woman for lunch on occasion. I’d hoped he was kindling a May-September romance with the younger volunteer who visited once a month. Well, until I found out Kat was the volunteer.
“That’s okay. The neighbor offered to bring her some soup and check on her. I’m sure it’s just a bug. She does so much. I just want her to have a chance to rest today.”
“Okay. You tell that sweet girl to call me if she needs anything at all. Maybe I’ll bring her some sunflowers from the garden when I drop off the kids.”
“I think she’d like that, Dad. Thank you. I’m going to run. I’m caffeine-deprived. I was so laser-focused on getting the kids out the door that I forgot to make any coffee. I don’t know how Kat does it.”
“She’s Wonder Woman, that one. You really hit the jackpot, Son.”
“Yes, sir. I did. I’ll talk to you tonight.” Hanging up the phone, I park at the convenience store and decide to grab a large cup of coffee and call work to let them know I’m running a bit late today.Hell, if Holden’s there, he’ll probably offer to take my patients if only to make himself look better.
Kat
Rolling onto my back, I shove down the sheets and comforter as the chills from earlier have been replaced by the feeling I’m trapped in a sauna. I honestly can’t recall the last time I had a fever like this. Reaching for the water perched on my bedside table, I have to force my mouth open as it’s so dry that my tongue feels as if it’s stuck to the roof of my mouth.
I gulp down half of the now lukewarm water and grab a few more Tylenol. How long ago did I take the ones Nick gave me? Heck, what time is it? Looking at the clock, I realize I’ve lost hours to sleep. Sadly, it hasn’t helped as I feel like I could lie right back down and sleep for four more. Sitting up, I finish the rest of the glass before padding over to the bathroom.
Wetting a washrag with cool water, I dab my cheeks, throat, and the back of my neck before looking into the mirror. My throat doesn’t hurt. I’m not particularly congested. I haven’t been coughing or had any stomach upset. Inspecting my limbs, I rotate and lift my sleep shirt to see if there could be a tick bite present. Nope. The fever appears to be the only symptom. Well, that and extreme fatigue.
Trudging back to the bed, I notice my phone is lit with multiple missed calls. As I open the phone’s app, I see all of them are from Nick. What’s gotten into him? It’s just a fever. It’s not like I’m dying of- My thoughts come to a screeching halt, and my heart lurches in my chest.His mother.
The poor soul. It’s no wonder. Bless him. Losing your mother to cancer at sixteen and spending much of your adult life watching your father grieve could do that to a person. I instinctively hit the redial button, wanting to comfort him, if only for a moment.
“Kitten. You okay?”
“Nick, I’m fine. I’ve been sleeping off this fever, that’s all. I have no other symptoms. It’s just causing a lot of fatigue. I’ll be okay. Please don’t worry.”
“Have you eaten anything?”
