Lydia- The Pet Communicator (Wattys13- Finalist!)

Chapter 6

Lydia- The Pet Communicator

Chapter 6

"Wake up, honey, it’s time for your medicine." My dad shook me from my sleep. I felt like stretching my rigid muscles or maybe getting a body massage to loosen myself up a bit. 

"What time is it? I mumbled, while searching for my table clock.

My father spoke immediately, "It is half past six, baby girl."

"I slept a lot, it seems. I don’t feel very comfortable—can we try walking?” I asked slowly. “I feel smothered.”

"First take your medicine. Here, you can swallow the capsules with this orange juice." I nodded and gulped down the medicine, consuming three capsules of different colors and sizes in one go.

My dad gave me his hand to help me stand up, but when I tried to get out of bed, it wasn’t possible. My body weight felt like a burden on my knees, and it hurt a lot.

"Ouch! I can't stand up, Dad," I moaned in pain.

"Do you need a body massage? Your mother can help you with that, eh?" I nodded, deciding that that was the best option.

"Grace, come here for a moment, please," my father called out.

"Yes, love, what is it? Is there something I can do for you?" my mom asked my father nicely.

"Can you give Lydia a massage? The massage oil is in that cabinet in our room, if you can bring that, too." She nodded and went to retrieve the oil.

"Okay, your daddy will be outside, watching television. If you need anything, give me a shout. After you feel better, we can all have dinner," he said, ruffling my hair.

In a little while, my mother set foot in the room, locking the door after my father left. She poured some oil into her palm and began to give me a massage, which felt really good.

"So, mom, what did you make for dinner?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.

"Some chicken salad, an apple pie with vanilla ice cream, and veggie wraps," she replied dully.

"Wow! That's awesome," I said excitedly. “And who’s been watching over my pets while I’ve been gone?” I chuckled, knowing that my mom had watched them despite her disinterest.

"I did, who else? Your father was busy with work, and he’d always sleep in the chair next to you at the hospital. He hardly ever came home—he hated it without you here, even though I was home, too. He didn’t even remember me."

"Mom, try to understand him. He loves you a lot. I’m his only daughter, so he tends to worry about me. Anyway, you’re always complaining whenever we talk. It's hard having a conversation with you these days."

"Yes, right. I think I know exactly what’s going on with your father, and it’s not that," she replied, getting up off the bed and shutting the massage oil’s lid impatiently.

"Thank you for the massage, Mom, I love you." She didn't answer back, but helped me put on my clothes and left the room without delay.

I couldn't hold back my tears, and soon I felt them running warm down my cheek. I suspected there was something my mother was hiding from us. She hardly ever talked to us, and when she did, she only complained. But what could her secret be?

"Lydia, sweetie, are you feeling any better?" My father burst into my room with a grin. I quickly wiped away the tears and turned my face away so he wouldn't notice me crying, then gave him a big smile.