Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 129 - Recovery

 "Hi Papa," Jessie said looking miserable when Greg walked into the school office late on a Wednesday morning.

"Hello Jessie. Are you sick?" Greg asked.

Jessie nodded. "I tried not to be. I washed everything and was really careful ... but I am."

"Sometimes it cannot be helped," Greg acknowledged. "I know neither your mama nor I intended to become sick either."

"Can I go home?" Jessie asked.

"Just let me sign you out."

Greg completed the paperwork necessary to take Jessie home, then the two left together, squinting at the brightness of the sun. It was a beautiful spring day outside, and although inwardly Greg felt he should be doing his best to enjoy it, the intensity of the light hurt his eyes. The effort it took for him just to drive was taxing his energy considerably. Inwardly he felt himself pray, hoping Susan could indeed look after Jessie after they got home. As for himself, he was seriously considering going back to bed.

c

Susan met the pair in the library. She wasn't surprised to see Jessie with Greg and she looked at each of them critically when they came through the door.

"Hi Mama," Jessie said. "Can I go to bed?"

"I think that is a very good idea," Susan told her.

"Thank you," Jessie said with some relief. She trudged off to her bedroom taking her backpack from school with her.

"I'll be in to check on you in a bit," Susan promised.

"Okay," Jessie agreed.

Aside from dropping his keys back in the dish, Greg didn't move. He studied the pair, absorbing the brief interaction between them, trying to determine if he really could go back to bed ... or if Susan might need his help in caring for Jessie.

"You feel worse, don't you?" Susan guessed.

"Not precisely. I have no energy, Susan. I don't feel nearly as bad as I did when I was ill ... far better than Jessie does I suspect. I have no headache and my body aches are gone, but I feel drained. Like someone pulled the plug on my reserves and left me with a dry tank," Greg struggled to explain.

"That's a good way to look at it," Susan told him. "My suggestion is to rest today. You don't have to go back to bed unless you feel like it, but don't tax yourself. Eat good meals. Try to move around some, but keep what you do that requires energy to a minimum."

Greg arched his brow at her. "I was seriously considering a nap ... that is, if you don't need me."

"And that probably is a good idea ... after I tell you what Julie had to say about Melody." Susan frowned some. "I should probably also check up on Jessie. If I need to call Dr. Bowers back, I should do it right away."

"Is there something significant about Melody I should know?" Greg wondered.

"She misses us and Forest, and she wants to come home," Susan said.

"That is to be expected," Greg said. "Is there anything else?"

"Julie said Melody's woken up with asthma symptoms more than once. She's been giving her medicine for it, so the episodes don't last very long, but she wanted us to be aware of it. She wasn't certain if that is something we see now and then here at home," Susan said.

Greg cocked his head. "It isn't, as far as I am aware, if we are consistent with her medication. Aside from moments of exertion, Melody doesn't have asthmatic symptoms except in response to things she's around."