Syringe

"Tempe, just take it!"

"No!" She stamped her foot.

"One more, sweetheart," Max wheedled, holding out the medicine. "It's pink, your favorite."

Tempe scowled and grabbed the syringe. "There! But I don't feel better."

Max chuckled. "Wait a little bit. Do you want to read a story?"

"Yes, please." She snuggled into her bed while Max got down the well-worn copy of The Secret Garden.

By chapter three, she was drifting off. As he turned off the lamp and tiptoed from the room, she grabbed his hand.

"Thanks for staying home with me, Daddy."

"Feel better, pumpkin. I love you."