A/N Intimacy is more than sex. Sometimes it's about letting someone take care of you when you're vulnerable. I love you all.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀* * *
Sick
Springtime is when life in New York turns its back on the cold air and awakens to the smell of hydrangeas and and wet pavement. The cars began to shine again under fresh rainfall, children were outside playing and collecting flowers to take back to their mothers. Most importantly, Carol laid her fur coat to rest.
Light was filtering through the high windows in the kitchen of the apartment as Therese watched Carol move about. She sashayed her way around, as usual, with a bit of pep in her step. She had pushed the windows open, inviting the spring breeze to drift in and catch the layers of her long skirt.
Carol glanced her way, smiling but concerned. "Darling, you haven't moved from that chair all morning." She said it almost like it was a question.
"Oh, I'm alright. Just a little tired."
Carol frowned and walked over to her anyway, bending down to brush her lips on her forehead. "You're awfully warm," she said. Carol eyed her, taking in the light blush on her cheeks and the way she avoided eye contact for more than a few seconds at a time. She waited for Therese to say something, but she didn't. The comfortable silence became more awkward and she straightened herself out.
She caught sight of the flower boxes outside of her window, chipped and lifeless. "You know, I think I'll plant those window boxes today." She swished back around the Therese. "Would you like to help?"
Therese's eyes grew wide and she froze. She was formulating an answer, caught off guard. "Well, I thought I might stay inside and work today... would that be alright?"
"Oh sure, sure," Carol said, amused. "Let me know if I can get you anything, alright?"
Carol could play along. Did Therese know how obvious it was that she was sick? Her eyes were glassy, her forehead was hot, and her face was flushed. She shook her head. Therese had a lot of pride, and Carol silently played along.
She spent the afternoon wandering through a greenhouse downtown, picking out lovely spring flowers in pinks and yellows. She admired the soft, fuzzy bumblebee that was drinking nectar from a buttery daffodil. He buzzed closer, and she drifted away, minutely afraid of the creature that seemed to be following her and her floral skirt. She wished Therese were there to capture photos.
Back seat full of flowers, Carol made her way home with the windows open, driving slowly, hanging one arm out of the car so that the sun could warm it. It was a bittersweet moment for her. She hadn't been out alone in a while, and while it was nice, she was beginning to find herself rather lonely. Thoughts of Rindy drifted into her mind. She was imagining her, running outside with her hair bouncing behind her, picking wildflowers and drinking tea from a tiny cup on the porch. Carol inhaled deeply.
There was a corner store that caught Carol's eye and she pulled into the parking lot. She knew that Therese would probably need some things at home. She smiled. Poor Therese was probably at home, pretending to work, while fighting of a fever. Carol picked up a bottle of medicine, some tissues, soups, and a magazine and checked out.
"Therese, darling? I'm home! I bought the most beautiful flowers today, you won't believe - " Carol stopped. Therese was curled up on the couch, her nose red, her eyes watery. Carol leaned against the wall in the living room.
"Carol," she said. "I'm sick."
Carol tilted her head back, laughing. With a grand gesture and fake surprise she said, "Oh darling, I had no idea!" She walked closer to Therese setting the bag down beside them.
