"Russell."
Russell heard his name spoken as they sat on the bed. He opened his heavy eyes and turned from his side to his back.
"Hi." He managed himself to say.
"Hi kiddo, feel like going home?" Russell only nodded, feeling too sick to try and speak. "Alright come on let's go."
The sheets were pulled off him and his coat was placed over his shoulders. "I have a taxi waiting."
A taxi? He was never in a taxi before. What if he got sick? The churning feeling returned once he got in the cab.
"Hillcrest St please."
Hillcrest St? That's where he and Carl lived. Why would Emily's father take him there?
Russell finally lifted his head from the person's lap who he was placed in when they got in the car.
"Mr. Fredricksen!" Russell yelled pouncing up from his lap.
"Shh Russell, we'll be home soon." Carl said to him trying to push him back down.
"What are you doing here? You should be at Shady Oaks."
Carl lied Russell into his lap again. "I need to take care of my sick little boy. Go to sleep." He said smoothing his hair.
Russell wondered and wondered why Carl came to get him when he could have been having fun at Shady Oaks but the whole thing passed once he drifted off to sleep and before he knew it he was back home.
Russell awoke with a horrible queasy feeling.
"Hope you feel better little guy." Russell heard the cab drier say to him as he quickly climbed out from the taxi.
Russell could feel it coming as they rushed into the house and down the hall to the bathroom.
As Russell leaned over the toilet he felt Carl holding him which made him feel better. Even though Carl didn't want to be in here he still smiled at his little boy to make him feel better.
Russell climbed into bed and finally rested his head into his pillow. He felt so much better now that he was in bed. Carl wet his head with a nice cold wash cloth and took his temperature. He returned to the room and give him a sizzley drink.
"Drink this, it'll make your stomach feel better."
It gave Russell a sneezy feeling but made it feel a bit better.
"Good boy, now you just rest. I'll be here if you need me.
"I'm sorry Mr. Fredricksen."
"What are you sorry for?"
"You should be at Shady Oaks having fun."
"Russell, I need to take care of you, it's more important." He smiled. It wasn't a true smile he knew. He hated him for what he did. He turned away from Carl in his pillow.
"I want to sleep now."
"You must be exhausted. I'll come in and check on you later. Rest well and you'll be better in the morning."
As soon as the door closed tears fell from Russell's eyes. He ruined his friends day and he ruined Carl's day. This was all his fault. Everybody hated him.