Christine stood in her kitchen, stirring the tea she’d just made, trying to ignore the relentless ache in her head. She had been feeling under the weather for the past few days, but it seemed to be getting worse, not better. Her throat was sore, and every cough or sneeze left her feeling drained. She muttered a quiet sigh, carefully sipping the hot liquid as it warmed her from the inside.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fumbled with it, not expecting much—just a quick check-in. It was Jenn, her assistant. Christine knew she had to answer, despite the fact that she didn’t feel like talking.
“Hey, Jenn,” Christine answered, trying to keep her voice steady, hiding the raspiness in her throat.
“Hey, Christine! How are you? Everything going okay?” Jenn’s voice was bright and cheerful, and Christine tried to match her tone.
“I’m good, just busy, you know?” Christine replied, though it was becoming harder to hide the slight crack in her voice as she spoke. She quickly muted the phone to cough, hoping Jenn wouldn't hear it.
“Busy, as always. Well, I just wanted to check in and see if you needed anything, work-wise. You’re doing alright, right?”
“Yeah, definitely. Just trying to wrap up a few things,” Christine said, forcing herself to sound normal. She didn’t want to worry Jenn or anyone else, so she kept the conversation light. Every so often, she would mute the phone to clear her throat or stifle a sneeze, hoping Jenn wouldn’t catch on.
As the call went on, Jenn’s tone shifted slightly. She might have heard the hoarseness in Christine’s voice, but Christine was doing her best to cover it up. Still, there was a slight pause before Jenn spoke again. “You sound a little... off, though. Are you sure you're alright?”
Christine quickly chuckled, dismissing it. “Oh, I’m fine, really. Just a bit of a cold or something. It’s nothing. Don’t worry about me.”
But Jenn wasn’t convinced. “You sure? You sound a bit more tired than usual. Maybe you should rest, Christine.”
“I will, I promise. I just have a lot going on right now. I’ll get some rest later,” Christine said with a forced lightness. "Thanks for checking in, Jenn. You know me—can't stop working, right?"
Jenn paused, but after a moment, she agreed. “Alright, well, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Once the call ended, Christine sank down against the kitchen counter, her hand gripping the edge as she rubbed her temple. She was exhausted, and even though she tried to hide it, she knew Jenn was probably right to suspect something.
Meanwhile, Jenn, who had been worrying ever since she noticed the subtle difference in Christine’s tone, wasn’t convinced by the call. She immediately pulled up Christine’s contact details and dialed Dan, Christine’s nephew. She suspected something was wrong, and she didn’t want to take any chances. When Dan answered, Jenn didn’t waste any time.
“Hey, Dan,” she said, her voice a little more serious. “I just spoke with your aunt, and I’m really worried about her. She doesn’t sound like herself. She said she was fine, but I’m not so sure. Can you check on her for me?”
Dan paused for a moment, his voice a little concerned. “Yeah, sure. I’ll head over now. I’ve been trying to get her to take it easy, but she’s stubborn.”
“I know,” Jenn replied. “Just go check on her. I don’t care what excuse you use, just make sure she’s okay. I’ll be watching my phone in case anything comes up.”
“Will do,” Dan said before hanging up.
Jenn sat back in her chair, tapping her fingers nervously on the table. She trusted Christine, but she could tell something wasn’t right.
A little while later, Dan arrived at Christine’s house with a simple excuse, like he was stopping by to visit, and sure enough, he found her looking pale and sluggish. She didn’t have the energy to put up much of a fight when Dan insisted she sit down and rest.
Within a few hours, Dan sent Jenn a text, confirming her suspicions. Christine’s sick. She looks pretty rough, but she won’t admit it. She’s just resting right now.
Jenn’s heart sank. She knew she had to do something. Without a second thought, Jenn booked the earliest flight she could find to go check on her boss. She couldn’t let Christine be alone when she wasn’t feeling well.
The next morning, Christine was standing in her kitchen, sipping her tea again, the steam swirling up in the cool air. She was glad for the quiet, but her exhaustion was becoming more and more overwhelming. As she reached for her phone, her front door suddenly clicked open. She froze, confused at the sound.
The door closed softly, and then she heard the familiar sound of it locking again. “Christine?” Jenn’s voice echoed from the hallway.
Christine blinked, looking toward the doorway in surprise. “Jenn?” she said, her voice weak, but she tried to mask her surprise.
“Dan told me you were feeling sick, so I decided to come over and take care of you,” Jenn called out as she entered the kitchen, a small bag slung over her shoulder. She smiled, though her eyes held concern. “I hope you don’t mind. I couldn’t let you be all alone when you’re clearly not feeling well.”
Christine raised an eyebrow. “What? What are you doing here, Jenn?”
Jenn walked over to Christine, carefully setting the bag on the counter. “I’m here to make sure you get some rest. Dan told me everything, and I couldn’t just sit there not doing anything. Besides, you’re stubborn as hell, and I know you won’t listen to anyone telling you to take care of yourself.”
Christine couldn’t help but laugh, despite how tired she felt. “I’m fine, really. I just needed some tea and a nap.”
Jenn was already looking through her bag, pulling out some supplies she had brought with her. “Nope, no arguments, Christine. I’m here now. Let me make you feel better.”
Christine shook her head in disbelief, but she was touched. “Jenn, you didn’t have to come all the way here. You’re crazy.”
“I know I am,” Jenn replied with a smile. “But you deserve to feel better. You’re the one who takes care of everyone else all the time. Let me take care of you for once.”
Christine gave a tired smile, leaning against the counter. “Alright, alright. You win.”
Jenn’s grin widened, and she got to work, setting up a little care station for Christine in the living room. “Now, let’s get you settled and make sure you rest. You’re going to be fine, but I’m not leaving until I’m sure of it.”
Christine felt a warmth spread through her at Jenn’s words. Maybe she didn’t like asking for help, but having Jenn here made her feel a little less alone in her discomfort. It was nice to know someone cared enough to show up—even if it took a little convincing.
Christine watched as Jenn moved through her kitchen with purpose, unpacking the bag and setting up various items with a level of care that only someone who truly knew you could manage. It felt strange, but also comforting, to have Jenn taking charge. As much as Christine hated to admit it, she was grateful.
Jenn had already made herself at home, placing a bottle of water, tissues, and some medicine on the counter. She was now heating up some soup she had brought along with her. "Alright," Jenn said, turning to Christine, "Let's get you settled on the couch. You need to relax."
Christine opened her mouth to protest, but Jenn raised a hand, cutting her off. "I know, I know. You don’t want to be a burden. But you’re clearly not feeling well. No more arguing. Come on, let’s get you comfortable."
Christine sighed in defeat but couldn’t help but smile at her assistant’s determination. “You’re really not going to take no for an answer, are you?”
Jenn chuckled. “Not even a little bit.” She crossed the room and gently guided Christine toward the couch. “Sit. Rest. I’ll handle the rest. Besides, I made you your favorite soup. It’ll help.”
Christine slowly sank onto the couch, feeling the softness of the cushions welcome her. She closed her eyes for a moment, not realizing how much she needed this—how much she needed someone to take care of her for once. Jenn always made everything seem so easy, so straightforward, and yet Christine had a hard time letting go of the control. But today, she was too tired to fight it. She just wanted to feel better.
Jenn tucked a throw blanket around Christine’s legs before sitting beside her on the couch. She handed Christine the steaming bowl of soup. “Here, eat something. It'll help soothe that sore throat.”
Christine took the bowl gratefully, her hands shaking slightly from the effort. "Thanks, Jenn. I honestly didn’t realize how much I needed this until now."
Jenn smiled, looking relieved. “You’re welcome. And hey, no need to thank me. I’m just doing my job, right?” Her eyes softened. “But really, you take care of everyone else, Christine. You deserve a little bit of TLC too.”
Christine met Jenn’s gaze, her heart warmed by the words. She had always been the one to give, to push herself for others, and having someone like Jenn around felt like a reminder that she didn’t always have to be the strong one. “I guess I don’t always let myself take a break, huh?”
Jenn shook her head, smirking. “Not even close. I can practically hear you telling yourself ‘I’m fine’ from across the room. But you’re not fine, are you?”
Christine let out a weak laugh, feeling her chest tighten with the realization. “No, I guess not.” She took a spoonful of the soup, the warmth spreading through her. “This is exactly what I needed, though.”
“Good,” Jenn said, her eyes twinkling as she settled back into the couch. “Now, you’re going to drink that whole bowl, and then we’ll watch something light. Something easy. You can nap when you feel like it, but I’m here for the long haul. You’re not getting away that easily.”
Christine felt a lump in her throat as she stared into the bowl of soup. It was such a simple act—making soup for someone, looking after them when they were sick—but it meant more to her than she could put into words. In her line of work, she was often surrounded by people, but rarely did she allow herself to be vulnerable enough to accept help. And yet, here was Jenn, being more like family than an assistant. She felt a quiet comfort, a peaceful stillness, that she hadn’t realized she needed so desperately.
"Thank you, Jenn," Christine murmured, taking another bite. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
Jenn simply smiled, her eyes soft and sincere. “I know, Christine. I know.”
As Christine ate, Jenn sat quietly beside her, occasionally checking her phone, but mostly just offering her presence. It was the kind of silence that didn’t feel uncomfortable, like the kind of peace you found when you didn’t need to speak but knew the other person was there. It was a rare feeling, and it felt like exactly what she needed right now.
After Christine had finished the soup, Jenn gently nudged her. "Alright, now that you're feeling a little better, how about we put on something relaxing? Nothing too heavy—maybe a rom-com or an old classic?"
Christine laughed softly, the idea appealing to her. "That sounds perfect. I’m too tired for anything serious."
Jenn grabbed the remote, flipping through a few channels. “I think we’re in the mood for something light, right?”
“Definitely,” Christine said with a small nod. “Something that doesn’t require too much brain power.”
Jenn grinned, clicking on the first thing that came up. It was an old romantic comedy that Christine had seen countless times before, but the familiarity of it made her feel safe. It wasn’t long before she felt her eyelids growing heavy, the exhaustion from the past few days catching up to her. She was about to drift off when she felt a hand gently on her shoulder.
“Rest, Christine,” Jenn’s voice was soft, almost motherly. “I’ve got everything under control here. Just relax.”
Christine barely had the energy to reply, but she managed a faint smile, leaning back against the cushions. The comfort of the room, Jenn’s caring presence, and the soothing sound of the TV helped lull her into a deep, peaceful sleep.
A few hours later, Christine awoke with a start, surprised to find the house quiet and still. The TV had been turned off, and the light outside had dimmed into evening. She glanced over at Jenn, who had fallen asleep beside her, a soft blanket tucked around her as she rested her head on the armrest.
Christine smiled softly, touched by the fact that Jenn had stayed by her side the entire time. She stood up slowly, stretching, feeling a little bit better than she had earlier. The ache in her head had lessened, and the tightness in her chest had eased.
Just then, she heard a faint rustle, and Dan stepped into the room, holding a small bag of what looked like groceries. He smiled when he saw Christine sitting up.
“Feeling better, Aunt Christine?” he asked, his voice warm with concern.
Christine nodded, smiling. “A little bit. Jenn really took care of me today.”
Dan raised an eyebrow playfully. “Looks like she’s pretty good at it. I might need to hire her as my personal assistant.”
Christine chuckled. “I think she’d do a great job at that, actually.”
Jenn stirred beside them and woke up, blinking groggily. "You’re awake. Feeling better, boss?"
Christine grinned, giving her a grateful look. “Yeah, much better. Thanks, Jenn. I really appreciate everything you did.”
Jenn smiled sleepily. “No problem. I’ll be here if you need anything else.”
Christine glanced around at the two of them, feeling her heart swell. She wasn’t used to needing others, but having them here, taking care of her, had felt like the best gift. Maybe, just maybe, she could let people take care of her every once in a while.
"Alright, alright. Now I really need to relax and not think about work for a little while," she said, stretching her arms above her head.
Jenn nodded, and Dan grinned. "You deserve it. Now let’s make sure you actually rest."
As Christine settled back into the couch, her two closest allies by her side, she realized that sometimes the greatest strength came from knowing when to let others help—and today, she had learned that lesson well.
Christine relaxed back into the couch, feeling the weight of the day slowly lift from her shoulders. Jenn, after making sure the room was cozy and everything was in order, slipped quietly into the kitchen to make herself some tea. The warmth of the room and the steady comfort of her surroundings felt like a balm to her tired soul. She hadn’t realized how much she needed this—someone just to be there, taking care of things without expecting anything in return.
Dan settled down in an armchair across from her, looking much more at ease now that he knew his aunt was doing better. He had always been the responsible one, checking in on family when needed, and he took his role seriously. "So," he started, breaking the silence, "how about that rom-com Jenn put on for you?"
Christine chuckled softly, still feeling a bit groggy. "It was definitely a good choice. Sometimes the cheesy stuff is exactly what you need."
Dan grinned. "I’ll admit, I’ve watched a few of those with my mom. She swears by them."
Jenn returned from the kitchen with a mug of tea in hand, sitting back down beside Christine. “You know,” she said as she took a sip, “I’m happy to just be here with you guys. It’s kind of nice, just taking a break from the usual chaos.”
Christine smiled at her, feeling a warm sense of gratitude. “You’re always the calm in the storm, Jenn. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Jenn shrugged modestly, though her smile was sincere. "I don’t mind being that person. Besides, I know how hard you work, Christine. It's good to remind you that sometimes it's okay to take a step back and let someone else do the heavy lifting."
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Christine replied softly, looking down at her hands. She wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of care; it felt a little unfamiliar, but in a good way. She thought back to the last few days—working through everything, pushing herself even when she was clearly not well—and she realized just how much she had been running on empty. It wasn’t sustainable, and maybe it was time to make a change.
As the evening wore on, the three of them shared light-hearted conversation, catching up on things that had nothing to do with work. Jenn told stories about her latest adventures in the city, and Dan regaled Christine with tales of what his father had been up to—most of which made her laugh. It felt like the first time in a long time that she wasn’t worried about the next project, the next deadline, or the next meeting. It was just... peaceful.
But after a while, Christine felt her eyelids growing heavy again. The comfort of her home, the warmth of the room, and the soothing atmosphere had done their job. She hadn’t realized how exhausted she truly was until now, and she knew that she wouldn’t be able to keep her eyes open much longer.
Jenn, sensing the shift in Christine’s energy, stood up from her seat. “I think we should let you get some more rest, boss,” she said gently. “You’ve had a long day, and you need your sleep.”
Christine nodded with a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Jenn. I don’t think I’ll need any more convincing tonight."
Dan stood up, too. “Yeah, I’m heading out soon, anyway. Just wanted to make sure you were feeling better before I went back to my own place. Dad’s going to be happy to know you’re on the mend.”
Christine gave him a warm, appreciative look. “Thanks for checking on me, Dan. You’re always looking out for me.”
“No problem, Aunt Christine. Take care of yourself, alright? I’ll make sure Dad knows you’re on the way to recovery.”
As Dan said his goodbyes and made his exit, Jenn returned to Christine’s side, offering a soft hand on her shoulder. “Get some sleep, okay? I’ll be around tomorrow if you need anything.”
Christine let out a small sigh, feeling a weight lift off her chest. "I will. Thanks for everything, Jenn. You’re the best."
With a nod and a smile, Jenn left the room, leaving Christine to finally let herself relax. As the silence enveloped her, she settled deeper into the couch, pulling the blanket over her body and curling up to get some much-needed rest.
For the first time in days, Christine didn’t feel the pressure to keep pushing. She didn’t have to prove anything. She could just be herself, and let the people who cared for her take care of her, too.
The next morning, Christine woke up feeling much better. The pain in her head had dulled to a faint ache, and the congestion that had plagued her was finally starting to clear. It wasn’t completely gone, but she felt a lot closer to her usual self.
She slowly stretched, a quiet smile on her face as she remembered how Jenn had stayed by her side the day before. It was strange to think about how much she had resisted accepting help, but now that she had, she realized how essential it was. She couldn’t keep running herself ragged.
Christine sat up and glanced around the living room, the soft light of morning streaming through the windows. It was a new day, and she was going to make sure to take it slow—maybe even start saying no more often when things got overwhelming. After all, she was surrounded by people who cared, who were willing to help, and that was something she needed to acknowledge more often.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She picked it up to see a message from John.
“Hey, just wanted to check in. How are you feeling this morning?”
Christine smiled and quickly typed a reply.
“Much better, thanks to Jenn. She stayed with me yesterday and made sure I rested. I think I’m finally on the mend.”
John’s response came almost instantly.
“I’m glad to hear that. You take care of yourself, okay? We’ll talk soon.”
Christine sat back against the couch, feeling the weight of the last few days slip away. She still had work to do, but for now, she was content. She didn’t have to be the strong one all the time. Not anymore. She had people who cared about her, and that was enough.
Over the next few days, Christine slowly but surely started to feel more like herself again. Jenn had stayed in town for the remainder of the week, checking in regularly and making sure Christine was comfortable. At one point, she even convinced Christine to take a long walk around the block, insisting that some fresh air would do wonders for her recovery.
By the time the weekend rolled around, Christine had managed to sleep through the night without waking up coughing, and the congestion in her chest had loosened considerably. Though she still felt a little off—like she was almost back to full strength but not quite—she could tell that her body was healing. The worst of it was behind her, and that alone made her feel a huge sense of relief.
One afternoon, as she sat at her kitchen table sipping on a cup of warm tea, she glanced over at her phone, which was resting next to her laptop. There was a message from John.
“How’s everything going? You feeling more like yourself today?”
Christine smiled, her fingers hesitating above the screen as she thought about how she could respond. She had become accustomed to John’s thoughtful messages during her recovery, always checking in on her without being overbearing. It made her feel cared for in a way she hadn’t expected.
After a few moments of reflection, she typed back, “Yeah, I’m getting there. Still a little tired, but I feel a lot better than I did last week. The worst is definitely behind me.”
Almost immediately, John replied, “That’s great to hear. I’m glad you’re starting to feel better. Just take it easy for a few more days and let yourself rest. Don’t push it.”
Christine chuckled softly as she set her phone back down, feeling the need for a nap herself. It wasn’t that she hadn’t made progress; it was just that her body was still catching up to the energy it had burned through while she was sick. She had never been the type to stop moving—work, errands, responsibilities—everything always seemed to demand her attention. But now, as she sat quietly, she knew the importance of slowing down, if only for a little while.
Jenn had left the day before, heading back to the states to return to her own routine, but not before making sure Christine was stocked up on everything she could need—her favorite snacks, a fresh supply of tea, and a list of healthy recipes to keep her energy up. Christine had to admit, she was going to miss having her around. But she was grateful to know that Jenn would always be a phone call away, ready to help whenever she needed it.
Over the weekend, Christine began to ease herself back into work, slowly catching up on emails and reading through the notes she'd made for upcoming projects. She didn’t dive in headfirst—she kept things light, allowing herself plenty of breaks, taking time to breathe and reflect. The last thing she wanted to do was burn herself out again, especially after how close she'd come to being completely drained.
On Sunday, she took a full afternoon to herself, curling up on the couch with a book, the sunlight streaming in through the windows as she lost herself in the pages. She could feel her strength returning a little more with each passing day, but she knew that she needed to keep taking care of herself, especially after everything that had happened.
As the days went on, Christine found herself feeling more and more energized. Her voice, which had been hoarse and weak just a few days before, had returned to its normal tone. Her appetite, which had dwindled when she was sick, came back full force, and she was finally able to enjoy meals without feeling like she needed to rest afterward.
By the end of the week, Christine was feeling back to normal—almost. She still had moments when her energy would dip, but they were becoming fewer and farther between. And though she’d had to rely on others during her time of illness, Christine knew that she would be more mindful of taking care of herself in the future.
She had always pushed herself hard, believing that rest was something she could only have when there was nothing left to do. But now, she understood that it was just as important to take time for herself and recharge when needed.
As Christine prepared to head back into her usual routine, she sent a quick message to John to let him know she was feeling better, hoping he’d appreciate the update.
“I’m back to normal now, thanks to you and Jenn checking in. I’m starting to feel like myself again. Let’s catch up soon, alright?”
John responded almost instantly, “I’m so happy to hear that. Glad you’re doing well. Let me know when you’re free, and we’ll catch up for real.”
Christine smiled, feeling a warmth spread in her chest. Even though she was getting back to work, she knew that she wasn’t alone in this anymore. Not only did she have Jenn by her side when she needed support, but John’s consistent care had made a world of difference as well.
And as she looked out the window at the bright, clear sky, she felt a renewed sense of peace—a reminder that, even in the midst of life’s chaos, there was always room for a little bit of rest, care, and love. She was ready to take on whatever came next, knowing she had people who would be there for her.
