Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 127 - Biscuits and Flu

"Papa, it's time for dinner," Melody announced as she burst into her parents' bedroom.

Greg sat up abruptly, swinging his legs to the side of the bed at the summons. Just as abruptly, he stopped. His head swam at the motion. He felt slightly dizzy and his headache was more pronounced. He frowned.

"Does your head still hurt?" Jessie asked.

"Why do you ask?" Greg replied.

"Mama said you have a headache," Jessie explained.

"She's right, I do," Greg said.

"Did you take Tylenol before your nap?" Jessie wondered.

Greg cocked his head, reflecting that in that moment, Jessie sounded exactly like Susan.

"I did not," he told her.

"Then Mama said you can have it with supper," Jessie said.

"Is it ready?" Greg asked.

"Yes. Mama is just putting the food on the table," Jessie said.

Greg nodded. "Please tell Mama, I'll be right there."

"Okay," Jessie said. "Come on, Melody. Papa needs a moment to wake up."

"Okay," Melody agreed. "Can I help?"

"We need to tell Mama about the Tylenol for Papa," Jessie explained.

Greg listened to the two girls talk as they walked away, down the hall. At times, Melody sounded more and more like any little girl who was in awe of her big sister. The relationship between the two was unmistakable.

c

Susan looked up when her husband made his way unsteadily to the table.

"Sit down and don't move," she told him.

"That might be best," Greg readily agreed.

Susan silently handed him a dose of Tylenol and a glass of water to take it with. He did so without hesitation before surveying the foods set out on the table. There was a tureen of stew, a large basket of biscuits and salad set out at each place.

Greg arched his brow, recognizing the menu as the same as what Susan served to Zack just before he became ill.

"You suspect I am getting sick," he said without hesitation.

"Are you?" Susan asked.

"Why do you ask?" Greg said, neatly avoiding the question.

"You don't often have headaches, but you have one now. You are moving more stiffly than before ... like your joints or muscles hurt. And your face is flushed. If I had to guess, I'd say you have a mild fever," Susan said.

"You are very observant," Greg remarked, not really telling her if she was right or wrong.

"You've never been sick since I've known you," Susan said.

"There is a first time for everything," Greg told her. "Please serve me some of the stew. Then I believe I will go back to bed."

"No salad?" Susan asked. "Is your throat sore too?"

"I am simply not in the mood for salad," Greg said.

Susan nodded, agreeably removing the bowl of salad that was currently in front of him.

"If Papa doesn't have to have salad, can I not have salad too?" Melody asked.

"No. You need to eat your salad, Melody, to stay healthy," Susan insisted.