I was lying on the ice when the boys showed up. I wasn't feeling very well and I thought being on the ice would be a little better.
It didn't.
I heard Buzz and Bah's voices first. Their voices held a tinge of concern before I heard skates on the ice. It was Buzz's tender hands that I felt pull me from the cold surface. I must have been flushed because he pulled off his practice jersey and wrapped it around me. He sat me on the bench and pulled me close to him as he sat down. His skin was cooler than mine and that meant I was sick.
Silky walked in and smiled at us. When I didn't reciprocate, his smile fell and he came over. Buzz shooed him away. I didn't like to be messed with when I'm sick. Bah came back with a blanket so Buzz could have his jersey back.
While the guys were practicing, I lie on the bench and fell into an awkward sleep. I could hear everything that was going on; the sound of the skates and sticks hitting the ice, Herb as he yelled at the team, and the puck hitting the pipes. All that rang too loud in my head.
By the time practice had ended, I had lost all track of time. Buzz gathered me up, blanket and all, and led me to the locker room. Now, I'm a normal woman. I think naked guys are pretty cool, but I felt so bad I really didn't care. I sat beside Buzz as he pulled off his skates and pads. He smelled of sweat but I didn't care. His warmth was all I needed.
Buzz had to go get a shower, leaving Mac in charge. He had already showered and was dressed. I was shivering in the heat of the room.
"Hey, Buzzy." Bah called. He had stopped by on his way out.
"Yeah?" Buzz stepped around the corner from the showers, rubbing his head with a free towel.
"She's sweating."
"Jesus." He came back over and looked at me. I looked at him pathetically. "She's got the flu." He quickly changed and pulled his coat on.
"I'll carry her." Bah said. I felt weightless as my friend picked me up and nestled me against his chest.
It felt like seconds when we got to our place. I knew it was Buzz who gently changed me into PJs. A wet cloth was placed across my head. I was hurting so bad. I always ran a high fever when I was sick and this was the worst. I'd had the flu before and it wasn't good. I'd gotten so dehydrated I had to have IVs. After that, Buzz took it upon himself to take care of me when I was sick.
"Does her fever always get this high?" I heard Bah ask in one of my moments of lucidity.
"Yeah. If she gets a cold, her fever spikes." Buzz replied.
"Herb's not going to let you miss practice. The games are in a month."
"I know. I'll figure something out."
I slipped again and started dreaming. I couldn't tell what it was about when I woke up. When I did wake up, Buzz was in his bed reading a book. Jack was in the floor leaning against my bed. If I knew the team like I did, they were all in the other room. I groaned as I rolled over. Jack turned around.
"Do you need anything?" he asked.
"Something to drink." My voice was raspy as I answered. He got to his feet and ventured into the other room. I heard the others in the room but I couldn't tell who was who. He came back with a glass and a straw and helped me drink some. "Thanks."
"No problem. Buzzy and Bah are going to get the guys something to eat. I'll be right here."
I nodded and closed my eyes, letting sleep overtake me once again.
I came to once again. This time my stomach was roiling. I tried to get up but my head was spinning so badly I didn't make it. Everything came up and out. It hurt and tasted so badly, not to mention it got all over me when I fell. There were loud voices and then I realized that some of the guys had come into the room. I must have been louder than I thought. Someone moved me into the bathroom. I heard the others in the other room for a while until everything else that had been in my system.
When I quit puking my guts out, I leaned against the toilet. I could smell myself and that was disgusting. I tried to get up but I had no balance and fell instantly. Someone caught me then propped me up against the sink. I opened my eyes. It was Johnson. He was turning the water in the shower on.
"Hey, Pav, come help me a minute." The other member of the Coneheads came into the bathroom. "I need you to hold Minni as I pull her clothes off."
He didn't say a word as he came in. his arms came securely around me and hefted me up. Johnson was swift and soon I was down to my underwear and he wrapped a towel around my chest. He stepped into the shower first and had Pav hand me into the tub. The water hitting my sensitive skin was annoying and I tried to move. Johnson held me tightly and got me cleaned up. He handed me back to Pav and stepped out.
"I got her." jack said. He had a clean towel and was ready to dry me off. Jimmy handed him a shirt and he tugged it over my head. I would have argued the entire way but I was too tired and weak.
Jack tucked me back in my bed and covered me up. I didn't move. He smiled and brushed back my wet hair. "Buzz will be back soon."
I only nodded and closed my eyes, sleep once again taking over.
When I woke up once again, Buzz was back and sitting beside my bed. It was dark which meant the others had gone home. I tried to get up but once again couldn't. I hate the flu.
"Do you need help?" Buzz asked as he stood.
"Please." I said.
He put his hands under my arms and lifted me. My arm went around his neck and I leaned fully on him. When we were done in the bathroom, he took me to the living room where I flopped out on the couch. He made a cup of tea and pulled a blanket over me. I really love my cousin.
Buzz sat with me and put my head in his lap. His fingers played a tempo in my hair, which was very comforting. This time, after draining my tea which was good, I fell asleep on the couch. This sleep was very peaceful.