Luca hoped his brother was still asleep, he had been gone longer than he had planned. He looked at the items he had laid out on the ground on a white blanket he had taken.
"Water for brother, some for me, a little bit of bread, little towels and I think that's it for now. I'd better get back before he knows I'm gone, but since he's ill, maybe he won't be up yet."He said to himself.
When he arrived, Jim was still asleep. Luca put everything down on his bed and sat down.
"Please Brother, feel better soon. I don't like it when you're ill, you're my big brother and that means you're not supposed to be ill for a long time." He said quietly. He rubbed his eyes and sniffled as the tears taking a few minutes to calm himself, Luca walked over to Jim and rested a hand on his head.
"You're warmer now. I don't know how to make you feel better, I'm sorry." He turned back to his supplies and took his container of water and one of the towels, he soaked the towel and wrung it out before placing it carefully on his brother's head.
"You do this for me when I have a fever, I hope it helps you. I love you so much. I wish our parents were here so they could take you to the doctor. Doctors always make people better. I really don't want you to go away Brother." He was sobbing again.
"I'm not going anywhere Luca, I told you that. You'll always have me, no more tears okay?" Jim said sleepily.
"I'm sorry,I'm just so afraid." Jim opened his eyes and sat up.
"Are you sure you should -"
"Come here." Luca sat down next to Jim,leaning against the older boy. Jim wrapped his arms around him.
"Everything's going to be okay. I promise." Jim soothed.
"But your fever is -"
"Don't worry about that, fevers get worse as the day goes one but they come down again by morning. That's happened before,remember when you were ill and our mother told you that because you were afraid?"
"yes, I remember that, but you -"
Luca, trust me. I'd never lie to you would I?"
"No. Not ever, but it still scares me." Luca cried.
"I know, I'm sorry. I'll get better as soon as I can and then you won't have to be afraid."
"Brother, can I sleep over here tonight?"
"Not tonight, I don't want you to catch what I have." Jim explained.
"But, if it's not something scary -"
"Luca, it's fine, I just don't like to see you ill, I'm your brother and that means I have to take care of you. That includes protecting you from being ill if I can."
"You sleep so much when you're ill, I miss you, I know it's important for you to rest but I do."
"Here's what I'll do, I'll rest tonight and tomorrow afternoon we can do something together."
"Wouldn't that hurt you?"
"Of course not, I love you Luca, I'd do anything in the world for you."
"I know you would, you're the best big brother ever!" Luca exclaimed.
"And you're the best little brother, right now though, I need to sleep, unless you need me to -"
"No, just get better,I'll be okay. I love you very much."
"I love you too." Luca stood up to let Jim lie down.
"Hey Luca, those things over there,where did they come from?" Jim pointed to the newly acquired items.
"Oh, we had those, I was looking around in here and there they were." Luca hated lying to Jim but he knew it would upset him if he told the truth. Their mother had always said that someone who is ill should not be upset as it would do more harm than good . Jim didn't reply and Luca walked back to his bed.
"I'm sorry Brother, but it's best if I don't tell you. Please rest and I'll be right here if you need anything."
