"Dad, I'm sorry but I CANNOT handle her anymore! She is driving me insane!" Charlotte yelled as she rushed into Conrad's study.
"I know how difficult your mother can be, Charlie. And being sick-"
"Has made her a monster! She's hot and then cold. She's hungry but gets sick anytime she eats anything. She's exhausted but keeps insisting that she needs to go for her jog. She can barely stand, let alone run."
"She just likes to keep her routine. She's not good when it comes to being cooped up. Here, why don't you go shopping, treat yourself. Just do me a favor and bring her back something. Flowers, a card, something to cheer her up."
"Maybe a purse. You've bought her so many flowers that my allergies are acting up." Charlotte said, rolling her eyes. Secretly, she loved seeing her Dad being romantic towards her mom. Who didn't hope their parents would end up back together?
Conrad sighed as he put his work away. He knew Charlotte was right. Victoria was a disaster when she was sick. She didn't often get sick, but when she did she always got it bad. If it weren't for the bad publicity for the flu vaccine campaign he would have taken her to the hospital by now. Instead, the family had kept her cooped up in her bedroom and convinced the doctor to make a house call.
Daniel stood up from his mothers bedside when Conrad approached her room.
"Oh, no. She just fell asleep. Let her rest." Daniel whispered. He knew his father had the best intentions, but every time she fell asleep he seemed to appear, almost always waking her up somehow.
"Daniel, she's got to be burning up. I can see the sweat from here. Grab me a cool washcloth." He said, pushing past him to his wife. Daniel sighed, but obeyed.
Conrad placed the washcloth on her head, shushing her moans. He ran his hands through her hair, concerned that she was drenched in sweat.
"I'm going to have to help her with the shower. She's burning up." He whispered.
"Dad, she just fell asleep. You've got to let her sleep! She is exhausted!" Daniel tried to whisper but his voice rose slightly. He knew his father meant well, but they would never agree on how to make her feel better. "Look, I know she's burning up. We can open the door to her balcony but she's got to sleep. She'll take a shower as soon as she wakes up. Her medicine, too. But she's got to sleep."
Conrad sighed. His son was right. Even covered in sweat, she looked more peaceful than she had since she got the flu shot.
"You're right. I just..."
"Dad, this isn't your fault."
"She didn't even want the shot. I pushed her into it. For the campaign. I had the doctor come to the house so I wouldn't face backlash..."
"She isn't dying. It's just the flu. She's stronger than a strain of bacteria, she's just got to get her strength back. And for that she needs sleep."
Conrad put his hand on his sons shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. "You're a smart man. I'll tell you what, I'll let her sleep but I'm staying here to keep an eye on her."
"Fine. I need to get back to the office anyway. Let me know if you want me to grab soup or anything on my way home."
Conrad tried to get comfortable on the oversized chair in the corner, but it agitated his back. Against his better judgement he climbed into the other side of Victoria's bed, grabbing one of her romance novels to read. It didn't take more than a few paragraphs before Conrad was sound asleep next to Victoria.