Baby Book - Phase Three
Chapter Fifty-Two - Watching Over Mama
Late November, 2274
Every morning, when they woke up, they checked on Mama, to be sure that she was the right color. They poked their fingers against her ankles to be sure that they were not swollen. They took their tasks very seriously. But the morning that they rushed in to find Mama in the bathroom, on the floor, throwing up into the toilet, they went screaming into the living room for their father. He came back with them very fast, and knelt down beside their mother, holding her hair back from her face. "You have begun this early this time, k'diwa."
She could only shudder. Grayson suddenly remembered another time when Mama had been sick like this, and went tearing in to get her a glass of cold water from the synthesizer. This was one of the codes that Baba had taught him. Carefully he carried it back into the bathroom, and stood waiting until Mama leaned back against Baba, sighing, and then he handed it to her. She smiled at him, and took one sip and rinsed out her mouth, spitting into the toilet. And then she took another sip, slowly, and then another. She handed the glass back to Grayson, and let Baba help her up. And then she took the wet washcloth that Amanda was holding and washed her face with it. "All right, everyone, I think I'm okay now. Let me get my hair done up and we can go."
Baba led them back out to the living room, and checked them over to be sure they were ready. And then he knelt down, so that his face was on a level with theirs, and spoke seriously to them. "Your mother's stomach may be upset at any time of the day for the next several weeks. You must be careful not to bring anything with a strong scent close to her. Do you understand?"
Both children nodded vigorously. Baba stood up again, and Mama came out of the bedroom, with her boots on and her hair done up, and they headed for the mess hall, although Mama did not really eat any breakfast. All she had was toast.
At suppertime, Baba came and collected them, and once again they went to the mess hall and took food to their quarters in carry-out boxes. Baba got plain rice for Mama, and some steamed vegetables with no sauce, and a bread roll. It didn't really look very appetizing. But Mama ate it, and she did not get sick.
After they ate their supper, they went and did their lessons, and then they sat and talked, their heads close together. They went into the living room, and found Mama laying on the couch with her head in Baba's lab, while he read his technical journal. They stopped, and waited for Baba to find a good place to mark his article. When he laid down the PADD, and looked at them expectantly, Grayson spoke up. "Amanda and I have been thinking. We have decided that this is not the time to ask for a sehlat pup. Mama will not feel like having it around underfoot."
Baba's lips twitched, and Mama grinned at them. "Thank you very much, my children. I do appreciate your thinking about me and deciding this." Baba nodded in agreement.
And then Amanda chipped in. "But we will need new lessons soon, and wanted to give you plenty of time to get them ready."
Now Baba's eyes twinkled at them. "Your next lessons are already finished, and waiting for you, whenever you are ready."
The next day, when Mama went to sick bay after breakfast, they took the children with them, and Dr McCoy sat down with them, and told them what to watch for, that would mean that their mother needed medical help. They listened very carefully, and repeated the list of symptoms back to him when he was finished, and he grinned at them, and ruffled Grayson's hair, telling them that they were awfully smart kiddies.
Amanda and Grayson just looked at each other, and thought it was no wonder that Jack was such a mess, if he had to put up with that kind of talk all the time.
"-"
Author's Note: Symptoms of copper poisoning : Vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, jaundice, green hair, anemia, chills, convulsions, fever, metallic taste, lack of urine, weakness.
