At high noon, Lissa was sleeping. Alice remained by her side, watching over her while she'd sent Gaston out to have some fun with his friends. The sky was overcast and thick dark clouds were on the horizon. She hoped Gaston would return for supper before the rain hit.
Gaston finally made it through the door. "Oh, Gaston. There you are! Did you have a good time?" Alice asked as he walked to the kitchen.
"Yes, ma'am." Gaston panted. "It's getting darker out there."
"Thank you for coming home. I need to begin supper. Gaston, I hate to ask you to do anything on Sunday, but you need to do the chores, and quick. The rain will be here very soon, and it looks like a large storm is on its way."
"Oh," Gaston groaned, scuffing his boots. Just then, the door burst open. Madame Odette , the flower lady, was panting. "What the-" Gaston gaped, that she hadn't had the decency to knock.
"Alice! Jolene Bondeseuir needs your help!" She blurted out frantically.
"Jolene? Why? What is the matter?" Alice asked.
"She's gone into labor! She's having a difficult time. Her husband is out of town, you know, and she's afraid."
"What about Angeli-"
"Angelina is out in the country, tending the hill folk! We do not know when she'll be back. Please, Alice, Jolene is asking for you."
"Oh, Odette. I would, but, Lissa is sick! I...I don't think I can leave her!"
"Gaston can stay with her, can't he?" Odette suggested. Alice looked at her son.
"Gaston, do you think you can look after Lissa for a few hours? Can you handle tending her?" She asked anxiously.
"Sure, Mother. I'm not a child." Gaston said confidently. "I'm a man now. I can take care of Lissa."
"Thank you, son." Alice smiled in relief. "I will return soon. Excuse me, Odette." She hurried up the stairs to let Lissa know.
"Do you have to go, Mother?" Lissa looked up at her unhappily.
"Yes, love. But I will return as soon as possible." She kissed Lissa's fevered face. "Be a good girl, Lissie. Gaston will be with you. He'll look after you."
"Alright. But I'd rather have you."
"I know. I have to go!" Alice exclaimed. She grabbed her cloak and followed Odette to their neighbor's house. Gaston sighed. The clouds were gathering menacingly outside. He'd better get those jobs done!
Lissa missed her mother. Every minute felt like an hour. She tried sleeping. She tried to put herself to sleep by looking at the storybook Belle had lent her, but she could not fall asleep. She began feeling chilled again. "Mother," her lip trembled. She tried to get warm but couldn't stop shivering. "Gaston," Lissa clumsily rose from the bed and staggered to the window. She lifted the window and peeked out, grimacing. "Gaston! Gaston!" She called.
"What?" Gaston hollered from down in the back yard, heading to the shed.
"I'm cold. And I'm very lonely." Lissa moaned.
"Lissa, you're gonna have to stop whining and be patient!" Gaston growled. "I can't be with you just now, but I must tend to the stock. A storm's coming, did you not hear? So, just be a good girl for me and let me get the work done!"
"But-"
"Shut it! I gotta go!" Gaston hissed impatiently.
Lissa was left alone, sick and miserable. She just could not get warm, her limbs hurt. Tears ran down her face, and her head throbbed. She wanted her mother! "Mother…" She croaked, shivering and clenching herself under the covers, "Mother…I want Mother!" She wished she could fall asleep, but she was too uncomfortable.
The animals, sensing the atmospheric shift in the weather, in the barn were nervous, grunting and whinnying. "Hush now." Gaston shushed the creatures. "I know it's going to be a hard night, but I am making sure you will have plenty of nourishment, so quit belly-aching at me!" The horse snorted loudly, spit splattering onto Gaston's face. "Stupid animal." Gaston scolded, snarling. The horse nudged him in the back, sending the boy forward into the bales of straw. "Alright, alright." He rolled his eyes.
Once he had finished his jobs and headed to the well. Gaston slapped the cool water across his face and down his arms. As he gazed up at the sky, he could see that clouds above had assembled darkly over Villeneuve. A few sprinkles of rain fell from the sky. "Impeccable timing." He sighed. He finally walked into the house.
What he didn't expect was to see Lissa crouching down the stairway, leaning heavily against the wall for support. "Lissa!" Gaston barked at her. "Get back in bed this minute!" He ordered, pointing his finger up the stairs. "You are not well. Would you have Mother thrash me for neglecting you?"
Lissa whimpered. "I'm thirsty!" She wailed in a hoarse voice.
"Then go back to bed. I will bring you something to drink." Gaston said in exasperation. Lissa dropped to her knees, hugging herself and shaking.
"I want Mother!"
"Well, she's not here. I'm afraid you're stuck with me." Gaston puffed. Lissa was shivering badly.
"Mother…" She cried.
Gaston's hardened features softened. She wasn't her normally cheeky or obedient self. Right, she's ill. That's what Mother told me to stay here for, he thought guiltily. Gaston walked over to her and touched her small arm. "Come, I'll help you." He said more softly.
"I'm th-thirsty…"
Gaston pulled her to her feet, but her small frame trembled against him. He felt her forehead with the back of his hand. "You're hot with fever!" He breathed in, suddenly feeling very worried. He quickly carried her back up to her room and tucked her in under the covers. She tossed and turned, freezing on the inside, not realizing how hot she really was.
"I'll, I'll get some water!" Gaston promised. Now he was worried. Lissa was quite sick, worse than he'd realized. He'd heard numerous stories over the years of how young children were easily susceptible to disease and sickness, and many had died as a result. Suddenly, Gaston also felt like crying for his Mother. She would know what to do! She always knew what to do when one of them was under the weather. She was the one they wanted at their side when ill. She always made them feel safe, and loved, and as if everything would be alright, no matter how terrible they felt.
But Mother wasn't here! There was only him. And he was the oldest. It was up to him to take care of Lissa as best he could, at least until Alice returned. Why did that lady have to deliver her baby now, tonight of all nights? Why wasn't Angelina the midwife in town like she was supposed to be? Gaston was scared. Did he know enough of tending the sick to help his sister get better? Oh, how he wished Mother was home!
Gaston quickly grabbed a bucket of fresh water from the well, and it began to rain. He hurried back inside and brought the water up to Lissa's room. He poured some in her cup from this morning. "Here's some water." Gaston told Lissa. Lissa squinted her eyes and greedily took the drink, chugging it.
"More, please?" She moaned, still trembling.
"Alright, but slower this time." Gaston told her. Lissa drank again then gave him back the cup. She shivered, her teeth chattering, her hands shaking. She scrunched under her eiderdown, pulling the blanket even closer to herself.
"C-c-c-cold, s-s-so c-cold-d-d!"
Gaston hurried downstairs and brought some firewood into the room and put it in the fireplace, lighting it up. Rain pelted against the windows and the roof. Gaston closed the shutters then came back to the bed. What should he do? What did his mother always do? He brushed some of Lissa's sticky hair out of her face. He squeezed her small hand.
"I'm s-so c-c-cold-d-d." She sniffled. "Is M-Mother home y-y-yet?"
"No. I do not know when she will be back." Gaston said. Lissa continued to shiver, hugging herself tightly. "Does your belly ache, love?" He asked softly.
"N-no. My whole bod-d-dy aches. My l-l-legs h-h-hurt." Lissa whimpered. Gaston put a wet cloth on her head. "Cold!" She shrieked.
"You must keep it on!" Gaston snarled impatiently.
"Don't yell at me!" Lissa yelled back. Gaston sighed.
"I'm sorry, Lissie." He spoke quietly. "But do you want to get well?"
"Yes!"
"Then you must keep the rag on your head."
"I w-wish Mother w-w-was h-h-here."
"So do I." Gaston agreed. He offered her some more water, then he stood up. "I'll be right back." He promised.
The thunder clapped loudly and lightning brightly lit up the room. Lissa screeched. "Aahhh! Gaston!" He came running back up.
"Lissa, what's wrong?" He panted.
"Don't leave me! I'm afraid!"
"Oh, Lissie, it's just thunder." Gaston shook his head.
"I don't like thunder." Lissa shed tears. Gaston sat down next to her and tucked their mother's quilt in around her sides. She curled up next to him. He sighed and put the rag back on her head.
"I told you to keep that on." He muttered.
"When will Mother come home?"
"I don't know." Gaston whispered, patting her hair. "It's okay, Lissie. I'll take care of you."
"I want Mother. Mother doesn't yell at me."
"Told you I was sorry." Gaston grumbled. Another clap of thunder pierced the air and Lissa jolted, clinging to Gaston's leg. "It's alright, Lissie. Thunder can't hurt you."
"Gaston, will you sing to me?"
"Sing?"
"Mother sings when I'm scared."
"Alright…" Gaston sighed. Gaston began singing about himself, a song that Lefou had made up. Gaston was getting a bit too carried away with the lyrics, much to Lissa's annoyance. She cringed at his caterwauling.
"No, no!" Lissa scolded him, covering her ears.
"What?" Gaston frowned. "I like this song."
"That's not what Mother sings."
Gaston sighed. "Alright. What does Mother sing?"
"My favorite." Lissa said tiredly. Gaston sang the familiar tune from Maurice's music box. Lissa continued to shiver, but she wasn't complaining so much now. He patted her face with the rag.
"How about some supper?" Gaston suggested.
"Noo. I'm not hungry." Lissa mumbled.
"You need to stay strong, Lissie." Gaston pinched her chin. She groaned and hid her face in her pillow. "Do you feel queasy?"
"No, just not hungry."
"Well, I'm going to get my supper and bring it up. Will you be alright for a few minutes?"
"Mmm…"
Lissa squirmed under the covers in a fetal position as Gaston sat next to the bed, eating his meager supper. He threw another log on the fire. He felt her hot forehead and wet the rag again and placed it back on her head. He held her hand as she shivered. "I really wish Mother was here." She murmured miserably.
"So do I." Gaston nodded. Suddenly, he remembered. "Lissie? When did Mother last give you your medicine?" He asked.
"I, I don't know." Lissa said.
"Well, could it have been around lunch time?"
"Maybe." Lissa shrugged. Gaston released her hand and picked up the medicine bottle left on her nightstand. He opened it and poured the grisly colored liquid into the spoon.
"Lissa? Sit up. I need you to take this." Gaston told her. Lissa grimaced and dizzily leaned up on her arms. He spooned the medicine into her mouth. She scowled sourly. "Once more." Gaston said.
"Ugh." Lissa cringed and swallowed it, then buried her face back into her pillow.
"Good girl." Gaston approved. "Try to sleep."
"...miss Mother." Lissa sighed.
"Mmm-hmm. Go to sleep." Gaston whispered, patting her hand. Lissa continued to shiver, so Gaston threw another log on the fire. He dabbed her face, and offered her some more water. She was nearly asleep when another large clap of thunder pounded, jolting the roof.
"Aahh!" She yelped.
"It's just thunder, Lissie. Go back to sleep."
"I hope Mother is not caught in the storm!"
"She's not. She's at Madame Jolene's. Go to sleep." Gaston shushed her. He lit a few more candles in the room. The rain pounded outside, the thunder beat against the roof, and the lightning furiously lit up the room, zapping like angry fireworks. Lissa wept softly, hiding inside her covers. Gaston wasn't sure how else to calm her down, Mother was so much better at this line of work! How did she do it? How did she remain so calm when Lissa was so trying?
"G-Gaston?" Lissa mewed.
"Hmm?"
"W-will you sing to me again? Please? I'm really scared, without Mother here. And I'm worried about her."
"I suppose." Gaston agreed. What else was he going to do? He sat on the edge of the bed, Lissa rested her head on his leg, and he sang quietly. She lightly slept, but then Lissa shrieked, looking scared. "What's wrong?" Gaston sighed.
"Is it flooding outside, Gaston?" She asked anxiously.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Gaston groaned in frustration.
"Will you make sure?"
"What is wrong with you, Lissie?"
"I dreamed that Mother was trying to come back home, but it flooded all over town! And she called and called for help, but nobody could reach her, and she drowned!" Lissa shivered.
"That won't happen, Lissie. Mother is smart. If the streets look dangerous, she will stay at Madame Jolene's until it's safe." Gaston said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"What if she didn't know how bad it was? What if the water doesn't look as deep as it really is, and she tries-"
"Lissa, that's enough!" Gaston hissed. "Go to sleep!" Lissa fiercely turned on her side, with her back to him and ignored him. Gaston rubbed his head. Why was it so hard to get her to settle down? I wish Mother was here too! He heard Lissa sniffling. Great, she's crying again. Now what? What do I do? "Uhh, do you need some more to drink?" He offered timidly.
"No." Lissa said sadly. She folded her hands and began praying worriedly for Mother's safety. Gaston felt very out of place. He didn't really pray, his mother and sister were the ones who did that for the family. But this once, he silently prayed too for Mother to come home soon. He only hoped that God was listening to the both of them.
Soon, Lissa shoved the covers off, claiming she felt really hot. Gaston gave her water to drink and wiped her skin with a rag. "I...I'm sorry, Lissie." He apologized, again. "You hungry?"
"No."
"You need to eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"Fine."
After an hour, the storm's intensity had lessened. Lissa was finally so exhausted that she fell asleep. Gaston felt her forehead. She wasn't so hot now, and no longer shivering. He took that as a good sign. He tucked the covers in around her and ruffled her hair again. He was really hungry again, come to think of it. Taking one of the candles, he made his way through the dark house down to the kitchen and fixed himself some buttered bread and found an apple. He brought them back up and sat down next to Lissa's bed, and ate. She was dozing deeply.
A few hours before dawn, Gaston felt a hand touch his shoulder. "Gaston? Gaston…" A sweet voice whispered to him. Gaston groggily blinked his eyes and looked up.
"Mother?" He croaked.
"Yes, dear. I'm back now. Why don't you go to bed? I'll look after Lissa now." Alice said kindly. Gaston sleepily stood up.
"I'm glad you're home, Mother."
"So am I. How is Lissa?"
"I don't know. Her fever went down last night. But that...was hours ago." Gaston yawned.
"Alright, thank you, son. Go get some sleep." Alice kissed the top of his head. Gaston nodded and walked into the wall. "Uhh, dear…"
"Goodnight, Mother." He groaned, shuffling out into the hallway. Alice chuckled tiredly and sat on the bed next to Lissa. Her fever was down. Dawn would be soon, so she gently woke Lissa up to give her her medicine.
"Mother...you're home!" Lissa cried.
"Yes, I am. Go to sleep, love." Alice smiled.
"Gaston!" Alice shook her son's shoulders.
"Wha-wha-" Gaston grunted.
"Wake up! School is in an hour! I don't want you to be late and have the headmaster thrash you again!" Alice urged him.
"Ohhh, Mother." Gaston buried his face back in his pillow. "Let the old fossil foam at the mouth." He began to doze again.
"Now, Gaston!" Alice snarled. Gaston knew that voice!
"Alright, alright! I'm up, Mother! I'm up! Don't pinch my ears!" Gaston begged.
"Good. Now, get dressed before your breakfast gets cold. Go, go!" Alice shoved him to his feet.
Gaston quickly dressed and came to the dining room to find a full, warm breakfast waiting for him. "Are you expecting company, Mother?" He joked.
"Now, dear. This is for you, for all the help you gave me with Lissa last night." Alice praised him. "Dig in!"
Gaston didn't have to be told twice. He sat down and began helping himself. "Is Lissa better this morning?"
"I hope so. Her fever is staying down. The doctor will be here after lunch to check her." Alice wrapped her arm around Gaston's shoulder. "I really appreciate you staying with her and taking care of your sister, Gaston. I was so worried about both of you with that vicious storm. But I knew you'd keep her safe. I'm proud of you." She kissed his head.
"Uhm...thank you." Gaston mumbled with a mouthful of food. "But...don't count on me ever choosing to go into the medical profession, Mother! It's not for me. I clearly do not possess the patience. You are the best nurse in the world, Mother. Take my word for it!"
"Ohh, thank you." Alice beamed.
When Gaston returned home from school, Alice was ironing clothes in the kitchen. "Hello, Gaston." She greeted.
"Hello."
"The doctor said that Lissa is much better! She'll have to stay in bed until her fever completely goes away, but that should be in a day or two. You did an excellent job tending her. Thank you, my son." Alice yawned.
Gaston watched his mother closely. Her shoulders were hunched and her eyes were languid. "Mother, how much sleep did you get last night?" Gaston asked firmly.
"Huh? Not much. Madame Jolene had a rough delivery. Then I had to tend Lissa when I came home…"
"Stop that!" Gaston cut her off, ripping the hot iron from her hand and setting it on the stove. "Mother, you head to bed right now! You've been up all night. You need rest. Now."
"Gaston-" Alice wearily began to argue.
"I'm the man of the house while Papa is away. That's what you always tell me! That means you do as I say. Go to bed, Mother. I don't want you to become ill too." Gaston starting shoving her toward the bedroom.
"Only for two hours, son. You and Lissa need supper. Wake me in two hours." Alice told him.
"Yeah, yeah. Just go to sleep." He closed the door.
"Mother!" Lissa called. Gaston hurried to her room. "You're not Mother." Lissa frowned.
"Nope. But she's resting. So I'll have to do. What do you want?"
Lissa sighed, shaking her head. "You won't like it. Never mind. I'll wait until Mother wakes."
"What is it? Mother depends on me. What would you like. Lissie?"
"Uhm...would you read to me? Just for a little while? Please?" Lissa asked.
"You know how to read." Gaston shook his head.
"I'll wait." Lissa shrugged.
"No, no." Gaston moaned. "I'll read to you. Scoot over."