Sick Day
"Is Daddy dying?"
Grace's question was asked in a whisper as she stared at Eva with wide, worried eyes. By their side, Neil—who was still in pajamas and without his glasses—was lying on his and Eva's bed, his eyes screwed shut and his body rigid with pain.
This wasn't new to Eva. Every now and then, Neil's condition would flare up and he'd spend the day at home, and although she'd never stop worrying completely—something like this could always get more serious—at least she knew what to expect. Grace, however, was only five, and it was her first time truly experiencing Neil not being completely healthy. No wonder she thought her father might be dying.
"No, honey," Eva said gently, bending down to her daughter's level and placing a hand on her shoulder, "Daddy's not dying. He's just sick, so he'll be at home today. He'll be better by tomorrow, I promise."
"Can I stay home with him?" Grace asked.
Eva's heart warmed at that, but all she said was, "That's very sweet of you, but I don't think school's going to count that as an excused absence."
"I do."
Eva heard what sounded like a stifled laugh coming from Neil. Straightening up, she told Grace, "Why don't you get ready for school, okay? You can kiss Daddy goodbye before Ruth gets here."
Grace turned her gaze to Neil, her expression still a little uneasy.
"He's not going anywhere," Eva assured her. "Go on, now."
After Grace left the room, Eva switched her attention to Neil, who had now half-opened his eyes and looked slightly more relaxed than before. "How are you feeling?"
"A little better, actually," he said, his voice thick with exhaustion. A small smile flitted across his face. "Our girl's so cute."
"She is," Eva agreed, "but that's still no excuse for her to miss school."
"If ya say so."
Neil said nothing further, and if Eva needed any confirmation that her husband really wasn't feeling well, the fact that he wasn't arguing with her would be it. After a moment of silence, during which she reminded herself that Neil would be back to his loud, stubborn self by tomorrow morning, she told him she'd be back soon and left to fetch Grace from her own room.
Later, after Grace was dressed and Eva had helped her brush her teeth and hair, they returned to Eva and Neil's bedroom. As Grace climbed onto the bed, Neil heaved himself up into a sitting position, the effort to not wince or groan visible on his face.
"I'll make you a get well card, Daddy," Grace promised, kissing his right cheek. "And I'll pick flowers." She kissed his left cheek. "That'll make you better faster, right?"
Neil smiled again, broader and softer than before. "Yeah. That'll help, Gracie."