46 tests positive

The First Night

'Honestly, I feel pretty good. I've got a touch of a sore throat and some tiredness but I'm ok otherwise', Joe said hours later when they scheduled a FaceTime check-in. 'It's nice to actually see you', he said, looking at Jill on the small screen of his iPhone. 'Anyway, how was your day?', he asked settling on the sofa in their private living room in the White House. They had texted and called each other numerous times during the day but now, in the evening when Jill had just arrived home they had time to speak at length. She filled him in on the people she had met, describing the events and relaying the messages of support she had received for his speedy recovery. 'What's that?', Jill asked as Joe turned away from the screen. 'Just a sec', he said reaching for his mask. The door opened and Stephen, complete with his mask stood at the threshold. 'Sir Doctor O'Connor is here'. 'Great, send him in thanks', Joe replied. 'Hey Doc, good timing Jill is on FaceTime', he said gesturing to the phone. 'Can you hear ok babe?', Joe called to Jill, grinning as he saw her reach for a pen and notepad. He hoped the Doc was ready to answer a lot of questions from his wife.

'Do you believe me now?', Joe asked with a chuckle. 'I believed you earlier, you wouldn't dare lie to me. But yes, I do feel better hearing what the doctor has to say', Jill admitted with a smile. 'So, come off your normal medication and start the Paxlovid and Asprin tomorrow then', Jill said, repeating what the doctor had said. 'Put those in the bathroom Joe, beside your razor so you won't forget. And set an alarm on your phone.' 'Yep, will do', he replied patting Commander. 'Now Joe. Do it now so I know you've set it', she said; the teacher tone was strong. He laughed. 'Yes boss', he intoned, setting the alarms as instructed all the same. They chatted for another twenty minutes until Jill checked the time. She signed, knowing she needed to hang up and let him sleep but she was so reluctant to leave him. She fought the urge to stay on for longer.

'You should get some rest Joe, go to bed and read something. Not work related' she began. 'Who am I talking to?', he asked herself aloud, 'you don't know how to stop working unless I'm there to make you', she said rolling her eyes in jest. 'It's ok, I have a nice fat book on the history of communism in China I was looking forward to reading on vacation', he replied glibly. 'I'll tuck into that in my empty, lonely bed. Save my vacation time for far more interesting activities', he said, leaning closer to the screen, his sexy grin translating his intentions clearly across the video call. She laughed. 'I'm all in on that one Mr. President', she replied. 'I love you Joe, get some sleep now honey. Call me in the morning when you wake up, I don't want to disturb you if you're asleep so call me as soon as you can ok?' He smiled and blew a kiss to her. 'Ok. I love you so much baby. Nite nite', he said, unable to fully hide the sadness in his eyes. She reluctantly ended the call. Joe insisted he was fine but she knew he needed to rest. In spite of everything he had still managed to keep a full schedule today but she worried that he would need all of his strength to fight the virus.

She looked around the living room, suddenly realizing that she was all alone. It had been such a busy day. The events and travel had taken up so much of it, she and Joe had called and messaged each other numerous times, the kids and the family had been over and back all day and she realized she hadn't had time to think herself really. She sat for a while, feet tucked under her on the sofa. She swallowed back the tears when she thought of the weekend they had planned. Joe should be right beside her, chatting, joking, making her laugh with some story about something that had happened, something someone had said. She was his release valve. He could say things to her he could never say to anyone else. She loved when they just sat together and he offloaded. When she could see his shoulders relax as he spoke. When she lay with her legs across his, he gently massaging her feet as she began to doze on the sofa. How many Friday nights had he wakened her with a gentle kiss, stretched out his hands and helped her to her feet, wrapped his arm around her as she leaned her head on his shoulder and made their way to bed. She shook her head sadly. She prayed that he wouldn't get any other symptoms, wouldn't get sick, wouldn't react badly to changing his normal medication, wouldn't ... no. She stopped herself. She would not go down that path. Not unless she had to. Wearily she stood and walked through the empty house, flicking off the lights as she made her way upstairs to her empty bed.