Page 22 of Byte

I helped her brush her hair and get it pulled back into a low ponytail. Then I brought her a cup of water, an empty cup, her toothbrush, and toothpaste so she could brush her teeth without having to get out of bed.

“Anything else?” I asked.

“I guess not,” she sighed and moved to stand.

“Let me help you,” I insisted and looped my arm under hers.

Flint gasped at the sight of her when we made it to the bottom of the stairs. “What’s going on?”

“She’s sick. I’m taking her to Patch’s place.”

“Anything I can do to help?” he offered.

“Yeah, get the doors for me,” I said and scooped Gabby into my arms. She had enough trouble walking down the stairs. I didn’t want to push it by having her walk to the truck when I was perfectly capable of carrying her.

I had to wake her when we reached Patch’s office. I offered to carry her, but she insisted on walking inside. Thankfully, he was waiting for us and took us back to a room right away.

“Well, kiddo, you look like hell,” he said as soon as she was situated on the exam table.

“I feel like it,” she admitted.

He held up a tube with a long cotton swab. “Let’s see if my suspicions are correct. You know the drill.”

Gabby frowned but tilted her head back so Patch could swab her nose. He handed the specimen to a nurse I hadn’t seen enter the room and told her to run it immediately. While she was gone, he listened to Gabby’s lungs and checked her ears, eyes, nose, and throat.

He’d just finished when the nurse knocked on the door. She stepped inside to whisper something to Patch and quickly left the room.

“Congratulations, sweetheart. You have the flu,” Patch said.

“But I had the flu shot,” Gabby argued weakly.

Patch chuckled. “You know as well as I do that it only covers a few strains. Besides, we’re almost at the end of flu season. If you got the vaccine at the beginning, it’s probably worn off by now.”

“I don’t have time for this,” Gabby said, sounding as if she was on the verge of tears. “I have school and work.”

“I’ll write you some prescriptions to start today. You’re young and healthy, so you should only be down for a few days,” Patch told her. “Do you need a note for school and work?”

“Yes, for work. I don’t have school until Tuesday, so maybe.”

“I’ll give you one for both, just in case,” Patch said.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Go home and get into bed. Rest and drink plenty of fluids.”

“I’ll take you back to my house and then go pick up your prescriptions,” I told her once we were back in the truck. “Do you want anything particular from the store? Like drinks and snacks?”

“Will you get me some berry Propel, ginger ale, and Cheez-Its?”

“I’ll get whatever you need,” I told her sincerely. I’d felt helpless all morning. Being able to fulfill a simple request made me feel like I was helping, even if it was minimal.

“Do you have acetaminophen? If not, I’ll need that, too.”

“If I do, it’s probably old, so I’ll get a new bottle while I’m at the store.”

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Flint opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch when he heard us in the driveway. “What did Patch say?”

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