Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 128 - Family Help

Greg and Susan sat in the reading chairs in the library of their home, both feeling like they should help and both too sick to move. They had the flu. Julie just left, taking Melody home with her to stay for a few days. Jessie was taking over caring for Forest completely, and apparently them too. Moments before she'd disappeared down the stairs to enlist Matt's help in setting up a sick room for Susan. The next thing they knew, Matt, Ashley and Jessie were bringing parts of Matt's old bed inside the house from the cave, carrying it through the library, and into the sun room. Moving the newer, wicker furniture aside, they set up the bed with the headboard against the rock wall that was part of the exterior of the house. Jessie found linens for the bed while Matt and Ashley put it together. Ashley helped Jessie to make up the bed when it was ready, while Matt found an extra lamp and a small folding table to serve as a night stand for the room. An old rug they found in the store room was spread out on the floor, making it look cozy and warm. By the time Susan came to see what they were doing, they'd turned the sun room into a functional bedroom.

"Thank you," Susan said gratefully. "I really do appreciate it, though part of me wishes you'd stayed away so we didn't expose you too."

"We are staying away," Matt told her. "Ash and I are only handling things that are clean and Jessie says you haven't been in this room since you've been sick."

"She's right. I haven't."

"Good," Matt said. "Now that you're in here, you're on your own."

"That's good to hear. I'm glad you are looking out for yourselves," Susan said.

Matt smiled. "Jessie tells me you sent Melody away?"

"She's gone to stay with Julie for a few days ... just while we're sick," Susan said.

"I thought you got her a flu shot," Matt said.

"I did. I got one too last fall, and I got sick anyways, so it won't necessarily help. We're doing what we can to protect her, Matt," Susan said.

"I understand that. But I thought getting a flu shot was supposed to help," Matt said with a frown.

"It does. I'm sure it will help Melody resist the virus that causes flu, and in my case, I probably won't be sick as long as I would have been otherwise without it. Also, there is a new medicine I can try that can help make it even shorter. I've already called my doctor. I have an appointment late this afternoon to get it," Susan said. "In fact, I should be going soon ... though I'd rather be getting into that bed."

"Do you need someone to drive you?" Matt asked.

"I don't think so. It's not that far away," Susan assured him.

Matt studied her thoughtfully. "Call me if you change your mind? I don't have class until noon tomorrow. I can study in the morning, so I have time to take you if you need me to."

"Studying is important too. I know finals are coming up soon," Susan said.

"Yeah, but it won't take that long to take you to the doctor ... and if you need the help ... I know Greg can't take you ..."

Matt's offer faded from his lips. He knew from his mother's expression that she wouldn't take him up on it, unless in the next hour she was feeling so bad, she changed her mind. He prayed that wouldn't be the case, but there were people at the university who'd had this variety of flu too, and generally they reported feeling really miserable the first few days. The vaccines that year really didn't seem to help much, even though health professionals insisted they did.

Susan smiled a grim smile. "I've taken Tylenol for the fever, and I'll call you if I need you," she promised.

"I'm going to hold you to that," Matt told her firmly.