The Serpentine Syndicate MC: Manix

Chapter 17

'I'm dying'. Those were not the words I expected to hear when I walked through the kitchen doors, carrying a new recipe book I'd purchased in town a few days prior, determined to venture away from my typical breakfast dished for something new. Looking in I found the whimpering noises of Aldo, alongside Keaton who looked distressed and perturbed as he spoke on the phone to someone I assumed was a doctor.

The other men were trying in vain to cheer up Aldo, making comical faces in attempt to distract the boy from whatever pain he was feeling. Though the child could do little besides squint his eyes closed in a pained expression and cough.

'OK sounds good, I'll see you in ten'. With a final sigh he placed the mobile down, turning his attention back towards Aldo.

'Docs coming over shortly to see what's up' His hand running through his hair, an act he had done numerous times since I'd been here. Evidently stressed that he could not solve the discomfort Aldo was feeling, who was now clutching himself in an effort to keep warm. I always hates the sight of sick children, it made me feel absolutely helpless, and this was no different.

Seeing this and the panicked faces of the men, I decided to step in.

'Manix, why don't you and Aldo go back to your place and I'll bring over some soup and a cookie, that way you can keep warm with some blankets and a movie and wait for the doctor to arrive?'.

'Yeah that sounds good, might make you feel a bit better son as well'. He noted, helping Aldo off the chair as he nodded to all his men.

'Aldo', I called over as he went to leave.

'Yes'

'I think a hot chocolate afterwards is well deserved'.

'With marshmallows?'

'I wouldn't have it any other way'. My face mirroring pity along with all the bikers, as they watched the small boy curl into his farther arms laboriously.

Rushing around after they left, I settled on tomato soup and some shop bought cookies we had in the cupboards, to hopefully settle Aldo. My mum always used to make me a cup of soup, never in a bowl. As she reckoned the mug was key to curing the sickness, whether I believe her now as a grown adult I wasn't sure. Yet I found myself still placing the hot soup in the ceramic mug and carrying all the goodies out across the field towards their property.

Knocking on the door but receiving no answer, the tray grew heavy so deciding there was little option, I pressed against the door. Thankfully the doorway gave no fight, my feet moving on their own accord stopping at the sight of Aldo and Keaton nested within the blankets. The sofa looking snug with the fort of pillows and blankets, as a film played on the television.

'Hey Rina'.

'I come bearing tomato soup and cookies', placing the tray on the coffee table. Keaton shuffled along allowing me space to take rest.

Continuing the film, Aldo somehow ended up sprawled across the two of us. Him holding my arm to his chest for comfort as he gawks at the tv in front. The doctor had apparently visited whilst I was making the soup, who resultingly diagnosed Aldo with a high fever and sore throat. Keaton had taken the day off to tend to his sons needs, although pre scheduled meeting took place within his home office, whilst I remined caregiver to Aldo.

We ended up mainly watching superhero films, with Aldo passing in and out of sleep for most of it. His body swaddled in a blanket as he lay across my body. Only breaking his sleep to entice him to drink something.

Now however, his eyes grew cloudy as his sore throat got worse. It pained me to see him upset, so I was trying my best to crush the tablets the doctor had prescribed into his umptieth hot chocolate of the day. In the hopes he would be able to swallow them down, keeping the fever and pain at bay.