The idea for this chapter and the next was given to me by Celrock. I had a similar idea, but thanks to her review from the last chapter I can expand on it. Part of the story is inspired by the Incridables 2. Don't worry, no spoilers.
Kimi sat at staring at the computer screen in frustration. She had been assighned to learn about an illness in science class and had to give a report in two days. She was finding what she was reading to be a little confusing. Suddenly an idea struck her. She pushed her chair away from the computer and ran downstairs.
"Dad can you help me with my homework?' Kimi asked.
"Is it math?" Chas asked looking up from his crossword puzzle.
"No." Kimi answered."I have to do research on diseases and mine is asthma."
"Ok good. They've changed math since I was a kid, but asthma is a topic I know all to well." Chas said putting the crossword aside and pulling out the chair next to him.
Kimi took a seat and pulled out a sheet of paper and pencil ready to get to work.
"Well the history of asthma is a long one." Chas began."At least for me. Maybe we should start by looking at my inhaler collection."
Kimi sighed but got up anyway. This was going to be a long and boring night, but having someone explain how asthma affected them in person was a lot easier to understand then just reading artlcle after articla on the subject. Chas droned on a and on about each inhaler from the oldest to the newest.
"What can you do if you don't have an inhaler when you have an attack?" Kimi piped up in the middle of Chas's demonstration of how to use an inhaler. Along with when and where he got each one, he also demonstrated how to use them. He was in the middle of his collection when Kimi asked her question.
"Well luckily for me I never leave home without mine or a refill or two. You never know when you'll have an attack." Chas told her.
"Interesting, but what happens if you don't have one or a back up?" Kimi persisted.
"Well I've never been without one, but eucaliptis is a great help. You can make it into a paste and rub it on a person's chest." Chas explained."I think we have some in the backyard actually. I'll go get some for your report."
"You're not allergic to it are you?" Kimi asked following her father to the back door.
"No. In fact it's one of the few plants I'm not allergic to." Chas answered as he made his way out into the backyard and over to a plant with small leaves. Kimi could smell it before they reached the garden. Chas picked a stem full and handed them to Kimi.
"Thanks dad. I think I have enough for my report now." Kimi said heading back inside to write her paper.
A little while later Kimi walked downstairs for a snack. She dropped the container of Dummi Bear cookies when she noticed her dad on the floor. He was having trouble breathing. Kimi grabbed the inhaler that must've fallen out of chas's pocket and handed it to him.
"Empty." Chas wheezed.
Kimi dropped the inhaler and went to the bathroom where the spares were kept to find nothing there. She went over to the inhaler collection and checked each one, throwing it the floor in frustration becasue they were all no good. She then remembered the plant. She ran out to the garden and ripped some off. She smashed the plant into a paste with a spoon and began rubbing it on Chas's chest. Kimi sighed in releife when he started to breathe normally again.
"Thanks. Kimi." Chas said weakly from his position on the floor.
"No problem, but I might've destroyed your inhaler collection." Kimi said looking over to the mess she had made.
"It's ok. Nothing a little alphabatizing and clean up can't fix." Chas said looking in the same direction as Kimi.
When Chas could breathe properly again they went to the store for refills and when they got home they reshelved Chas's inhalers.
A/N The part where Kimi uses the plant to help Chas with his asthma was inspired by Lost.