Jay's Secret

8: The day off

Mouse

I slowly open my eyes and pull my phone off of the coffee table, trying to not wake Jay. To my surprise, Jay stays asleep and Voight has given all of us the day off. After a while, Jay yawns and opens his eyes.

"Awe, we have work." Jay whines

He's big but he only whines when he's sick.

"Voight gave everyone the day off." I smile down at him 

I expect some kind of response but instead, Jay quickly covers his mouth with his hand and runs towards the bathroom. I follow him and rub his back as he throws up, when Jay finishes, he looks up a me with teary eyes. I help Jay off the ground and wipe off his face with a wet washcloth. 

"Couch or bedroom?" I ask

"Couch." Jay mumbles

I wrap my arm around his waist and guide him back to the couch. 

"I'm gonna call your brother." I tell Jay

He grumbles in response, so I call Will. He picks up after two rings.

"Hey Will"

"Mouse? You never call me, what's up?"

"Jay's sick."

"I'll be over in a few."

"OK"

"Ok, Will's coming over, but I'm going to try something, ok." I say

"K." Jay whines

I walk to my bedroom and grab a plain green pacifier, then go to my bathroom and drop a few drops of peppermint oil on it and walk back to Jay.

"I know you're not little right now, but I'm not going to fight you, so here." I say putting the pacifier in Jay's mouth

"What'd you put on it?" Jay asks around the paci

"Peppermint oil." I respond 

Before Jay can say anything else, there's knocking at the door. I go open the door for Will.

"He little?" Will asks almost immediately 

"No, I was just trying something." I reply

Will

I hate seeing my baby brother sick, especially after the hellish week he's had. I place my the back of my hand on Jay's forehead and he stirs a little before opening his eyes. 

"Hey Jay, can I take your temperature?" I ask

Jay nods his head, but whines when I take the pacifier out of his mouth and hand it to Mouse. 101.3, the thermometer reads.

"He didn't get his flu shot, did he?" I deadpan

"No, and I wasn't about to drag him into med kicking and screaming." Mouse sighs

"I'm gonna give him his flu shot, and I'm going to assume you can take care of him." I tell Mouse

"Hey, Jay, I'm gonna have to give you your flu shot." I say to Jay

"No, please no." Jay whimpers

Mouse stalks over, picks up Jay, and sets him on his lap. Jay rests his head on Mouse's shoulder and grabs his hand. Very quickly but gently, I administer the flu shot for Jay and he whimpers a little more before relaxing in his friends arms.