The week passed by quickly. Karen was so excited to be coming home. Leland, Karen and the children picked Caroline up at Adrian and Trudy's house.
"Mommy's back," Karen said gently lifting Caroline into her arms. Caroline went right to her.
"I missed you so much baby," she said, kissing her all over.
"Thank you so much for doing this," Leland said.
He handed Trudy $5,000.
"What's this for," she asked him.
"To cover expenses," he said, "I really appreciate everything you did."
Trudy hugged Leland and Karen in turn.
"It was our pleasure," she said.
They each kissed Caroline goodbye before the Stottlemyer family left.
"See you later," Adrian called out.
The next morning Adrian could hear Trudy coughing before she even woke up. When she woke up her eyes hurt to open them. She also had a raging earache. Gently, Adrian put his hand on her head. She was really hot.
"You've got a fever," he said.
He checked her temperature with the Hetaida htd8813c thermometer for the forehead. It was 103.4.
"Ugh," she groaned as she sat up in bed.
Adrian called Dr. Pilot.
"It sounds like an infection," Dr. Pilot said, "Can you bring her in now?"
"Of course," Adrian replied, "We'll be right over."
Adrian gently helped Trudy get dressed and they drove the 15 minutes to Dr. Pilot's office.
"I was right," Dr. Pilot said after examining her, "She has a moderate infection."
"Is it bad," Adrian asked.
"Worse than mild but not as bad as severe," Doctor Pilot replied, "I wrote a prescription for strong antibiotics and pain pills. She must eat before taking the medication and…"
Adrian wrote down the instructions. As they walked out of the doctor's office Marsha called. Trudy answered the phone.
"Hi mom," she said weakly.
"Honey, you don't sound too good," Marsha said gently.
"I'm sick. I have a moderate infection. The doctor-"
"We're coming over," Marsha said, "Sit tight."
"Mom! You guys could get sick too."
Trudy could hear the smile in Marsha's voice.
"We got sick plenty of times taking care of you," she said firmly, "It's the job of a parent to take care of her child."
"Okay," Trudy said reluctantly, "We have to pick up my prescription first."
"You will do-"
"The doctor says I need to start the antibiotics as soon as possible," Trudy interrupted her mother, "and we have to make up the guest room for you guys. I'd say you guys could stay in our room but there are germs and-"
"We'll take care of all that," Marsha said.
Adrian stopped at the Pharmacy and ran in.
"Thanks mom," Trudy said, "I love you guys."
"We love you too," Marsha said.
Adrian came back out with the medications.
"My parents are coming," she told Adrian, "They insisted on coming so they could take care of me."
"Great," Adrian replied.
"We'll have to make-"
"We will not have to do anything," Adrian replied gently but firmly, "I'll make up the guest bedroom. You're going to take it easy. You're sick."
They got home and Adrian helped Trudy inside. He made her Chicken Noodle Soup and gave her one of each pill.
It took a few minutes for the pill to kick in. Trudy reclined on some pillows and closed her eyes. Adrian made up the guest bedroom. ½ an hour later Marsha and Dwight got to the house.
"How is Trudy feeling," Dwight asked as Adrian helped them with their bags.
"She's asleep," Adrian whispered, "Here I'll put your stuff away and then I'll make you guys' lunch."
It took Adrian ten minutes to unpack his in-laws' bags. He made them grilled cheese sandwiches with Fries.
"Now listen," he said, "I know you guys are… on the young side and you enjoy… having fun. Just keep it quiet if you do. Trudy needs to sleep to get better."
Dwight and Marsha chuckled.
"Understood," Dwight said.
"You don't have to worry about that," Marsha added, giggling.
Dwight nodded. Before the conversation went any further Trudy stirred.
"Sounds like our girl is awake," Adrian said rushing in.
Dwight and Marsha followed close behind. Marsha nearly gasped when she saw Trudy. She looked pale and weak like a small child.
"Hey mom. Hey dad," she said weakly.
"Hi sweetheart," Marsha said rushing to hug her, "I'm so sorry you're sick."
"Thanks," Trudy said.
She turned away, sneezed and groaned as her ears popped and her sinus' inflamed.
Marsha rubbed her back.
"I know I'm not much fun to be around right now," Trudy said.
"Don't be ridiculous," Marsha intoned gently but firmly, "It's not your fault that you're sick."
Adrian got her a glass of cold water.
"Do we have ice cream," Trudy asked.
"We have strawberry ice cream," Adrian said.
"That would be great," Trudy replied.
"I'll get it," Dwight offered.
Adrian got a cool cloth for her forehead. Marsha rubbed her back.
"Thank you for taking care of me, you all," Trudy said.
She closed her eyes and fell asleep. Dwight and Marsha tiptoed out of the room followed by Adrian.
"We really appreciate you guys coming over," Adrian said.
"Are you kidding? Three weeks ago, I found out that Trudy was still alive. I would always come over," Dwight said.
"I second that," Marsha replied.
It was three days before Trudy started to feel better. She woke up in the morning and was able to breathe easier. When she came into the kitchen her mom was cooking breakfast.
"Morning mom," Trudy said with a smile.
"Honey, you're feeling better," Marsha exclaimed.
"I am," Trudy said, "What are you making?"
"Blueberry pancakes," Marsha grinned, "Want some?"
Trudy sat down.
"Absolutely," she said.
Trudy loved blueberry pancakes.