“What’s the matter? You sound awful.”
“Throat hurts, fever. Hurts to talk.” I mumble, more tears flow.
“Hold on, cara.” The phone goes dead.
That’s a little rude, the thought flutters then is gone. I can’t keep my eyes open. A few minutes later there’s a light knock on the door to the bedroom. Claudine asks if she can come in.
“Yes.” I moan. I pull the covers up to cover my naked body.
“Sorry, dear, Cesare is concerned about you.” Her hand runs over my forehead. “Oh my, that is quite a temperature.” Her cool soft hands run under my jaw. Vaguely, I know she’s checking if my lymph nodes are swollen. Sonofabitch, yeah, they’re swollen and extremely painful. “Sorry, I’m sorry. Okay, it looks like we do need a doctor. Would you like me to get you a nightgown for when the doctor comes?”
I can only nod, talking hurts too damn much. I try to help her as she puts the nightgown on me but I’m weaker than I thought, and Claudine does most of the work. Once it’s on I roll over, wanting to escape into sleep.
I’m woken by the touch of Cesare’s hand on my forehead. He’s angry, I can’t focus on what he’s saying but he’s loud above me. Another voice, soothing speaks over him. Cold hands press into those swollen as fuck lymph nodes. Ouch. The soothing voice is back apologizing.
“Can you open your mouth for me?” I blink at the man, he looks like a sweet old grandpa. His white hair matches his bushy eyebrows, except the hand on my chin is strong. Since I won’t get peace until I open my mouth I do. Ow, he presses a flat stick down on my tongue. A tiny flashlight is on and sweeps over my eyes then into my mouth. “Oh my, yes, it is strep throat. I’m glad you came to get me.”
The grandpa lets me go. Then the words he said sink in, strep throat. “Cesare.” Opening my eyes is a struggle.
“Shh... it’s okay. I’m right here. Are you allergic to penicillin?” Cesare asks against my ear. I shake my head. “Alright, sweetheart, hold on to to me.” His pulls me into his arms, heaven. “This is going to sting just for a minute then you’re going to feel better, I promise.” Ouch, the mean grandpa has given me a shot on my ass. I grip Cesare tight burying my face into his neck. “I know, but that’s all. That’s it, no more pain and you’ll be better soon.”
A sigh escapes me as his big hands run over my back. “Thank you, Doctor Weber. I appreciate you taking care of her.”
The doctor laughs, “I didn’t get that I had a choice. I’m glad I could help. It will take another day or so for the shot to have her right as rain. Plenty of fluids, water, juice, no coffee, no soft drinks or anything with caffeine. To eat she’s need soft foods, her throat will still hurt so she won’t want to eat much for a day, maybe two. Don’t be you and get forceful with her to eat. Keeping her hydrated is the most important thing.”
Cesare moves, I cling not willing to let him go. “Okay, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.” I want to open my eyes but I’m too tired. Cesare’s hands are running along my back soothingly. Gradually the world fades away.
The next time I wake up my bladder refuses to let me stay in bed. I’m still in Cesare’s arms. I moan a little.
“What, sweetheart?”
“Bathroom.” I croak.
“Okay, bathroom it is.” He sweeps me up into his arms. Carefully, he settles me on the toilet. A hand runs over my head, through my hair.
I wince, I can’t believe I’m embarrassed. “I can’t with you...”
“All right, I’ll be right outside.”
Blinking, the light seems brighter than usual in here. I tug the nightgown out from under me. Oh man, that’s a relief. Leaning against the wall, it takes a minute for me to get the strength to wipe then stand. Almost immediately my legs give out from under me. What the hell? Motherfucker, my hip and shoulder are screaming in pain.
“Damn it, Alicia.” Cesare picks me up. I flinch at first, the anger in his voice scares me but below the anger I hear the panic, his fear. His arms are tight around me. “You should have called for me. Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself? Do you want me to call the doctor back?”
Shaking my head, I tighten my arms around his neck. “Sorry.”
“I’m sorry I yelled. I was worried. You have to be careful, sweetheart.”
I nod as I snuggle back into him.
“Don’t sleep just yet. A few sips take a few sips for me.” A straw is pushed against my lips. I open my mouth and take a few sips the pain isn’t as bad as it was this morning but my throat still hurts. “Good girl, thank you.”
He lets me sleep.
This time when I wake up I’m wrapped in Cesare’s arms in spoon fashion. I hate this position, I prefer his heart under my ear. I’m thirsty and even though the last thing I did was pee, I have to go again. Oh, my throat doesn’t hurt to swallow. It’s still thick, but the pain is gone.
“You want to get up?”
“Please, I need to pee and I’m thirsty.”