Page 84 of Destined To Fall

He sighs and nods, rubbing at his chest. I come back a few minutes later with a bowl of pho and every over-the-counter drug known to man to find Jeremy asleep again.

“Stop staring. I can feel you watching me.”

“You were drooling.”

“Nice try.” Jeremy opens his eyes in time to catch my eye roll but frowns shortly after, seeing the armful of bottles and packets.“What the hell?”

“Your doctor is in. I’ve got Tylenol Cold, Nyquil, and Robitussin cough syrup, Chloraseptic throat spray, cough drops—a few kinds, and uh…oh, Vicks VapoRub. There are some vitamins, too.”

“Where did you get all that crap?”

“A little search engine and a boy on a bike.”

“Impressive, but I’m not taking it, any of it.”

“Uh, yeah you are.”

He tightens his mouth, thinning his lips, and shakes his head.

“God, why are men such babies? Next I’ll be having to spoon-feed you soup.”

“Well, if you’re offering.” He grins, sitting up.

“Typical.”

I ignore Jeremy’s complaints and pop out a few of the pills and vitamins, shoving them at him with the glass of water from beside his bed.

“Now, be a good boy and swallow. Not words I’m used to saying.”

“Used to hearing, though?” Jeremy’s eyes widen, and I snort.“I…fine, I’ll take the pills,” he mutters, tossing them into his mouth and downing half the water.

“Now, take your socks off. Apparently, Vicks on the soles of your feet helps.”

“Helps with what?”

“Um, sickness? It helps with sickness.”

“Nope, pass. Soup?”

“You’re not going to make me spoon-feed you, are you?”

“You’re going to draw the line there?”

“You know I don’t have a line.”

Jeremy cough-chuckles.“Pull up some bed. I won’t take the risk of you spilling hot soup all down my…chest. Why am I naked?”

It’s my turn to chuckle.“Be thankful you’re only half naked.” Jeremy blushes as I settle on the edge of the bed, handing him the bowl of soup.“Go slow.”

He nods, slowly spooning pho.“I don’t remember when I last ate. This is good. Thank you. Wait, it’s Wednesday? You came home early?”

“Oh. Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I had stuff to do.”

“Stuff?”

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