Chapter Four

Jin helped his wife into the car and smiled. Though it had been determined what was probably causing her sickness, the doctor had still decided she had the flu. Xiaoyu seemed content. Jin walked to the other side of the car and let himself in.

It wasn't long after they had pulled out of the hospital parking lot that Xiaoyu asked, "The doctor told you about" she paused. "He told you, right?"

Jin smiled again. "Yeah," he answered.

"And," Xiaoyu began. "You aren't mad?"

"Mad?" Jin laughed. "How could I be mad?"

"Really?" she asked, weakly.

Jin reached over and held his wife's hand. She gave it a gentle squeeze and smiled at him.

"It's a little scary," she said.

"Yeah," Jin agreed. "But it's really exciting too."

They continued to talk until they pulled into the long driveway leading towards their home. Once they arrived, Jin walked Xiaoyu to the door and led her into the kitchen.

"I'm starving," he smiled. "What can I make for you?"

"I'm not hungry," Xiaoyu sighed. "I think I'll go back to bed."

Jin watched her walk out of the kitchen and listened to the soft sound that her feet made as she walked up the carpeted staircase. 'I wish there was something I could do to help her feel better,' he thought.

After breakfast, Jin went back upstairs to tell his wife goodbye for the day. She was back in the bathroom, this time in the shower. Jin could hear the water running and feel the steam sliding from under the door. He knocked softly on the door. When there was no answer, he knocked again.

"Jin?" Xiaoyu questioned.

"Yeah, I'm going to work," he said. "Is there anything you need before I go? Or is there anything you want me to bring back for you?"

There was a long pause. The water turned off and Xiaoyu came out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. "Not that I can think of," she said.

After her shower, some of the color had returned to her face. She didn't look so sick anymore, but Jin knew better than to believe she was alright.

"You should be in bed. You need your rest," he said.

"I know, Jin. I just," she paused. "I just felt so dirty. I wanted to take a long, hot shower."

Jin smiled. "Alright, baby, but if you need anything, call me, ok?"

He pulled her into a quick hug, trying not to get too wet. Kissing her on the forehead, he smiled down at her. She looked beautiful, her wet hair clinging around her face, the bath towel wrapped around her small frame.

"I'll see you later this afternoon, ok?" he smiled at her.

"Yeah, I'll be waiting for you, so don't stay away for too long," she said.

"Call me as soon as you hear from the doctor," Jin reminded her.

"I will," she tried to smile. "Now, hurry up or you'll be late for work."

Jin walked out of the bedroom and took two steps towards the staircase before he turned around. Xiaoyu was changing into her pajamas, he knew. He went back into the bedroom.

"Xiaoyu," he said her name.

She looked up at him. "Yes?"

"What if you need something while I'm gone? What if you need something really fast?" he asked. "What if you want food? Or if you get bored and want to watch TV?"

Xiaoyu tried to laugh. "I don't know."

"Here," Jin offered her his hand. "Let's put you downstairs. That way, you're close to the kitchen; you have a television, a bathroom, and all of the food you could want. Plus, you're closer to a telephone."

"Alright," Xiaoyu said.

Before he left for work, Jin made sure that his wife was comfortable on the couch. He made sure that the telephone was close, that she could watch TV if she chose, and that she had plenty of magazines to look at.

"Ok, baby," Jin said. "I'm gonna go now."

"I love you, Jin," Xiaoyu said.

"Yeah, baby, I love you, too," Jin answered. He kissed her goodbye and left.