"Aunt Mel?" Ryder said into the phone.
"I have to take this. Be right back" Mel said to Austin, into the phone.
"Aunt Mel?" Ryder moaned while sniffling.
"Ryder? Honey, what's going on?" Mel asked with concern in her tone.
Letting out a small cough, Ryder responded "I feel awful. Can you come home, please?"
Mel was thinking of different ways to handle the situation and trying to keep the date going.
Mel let out a loud sigh. "Are you sure Joe can't handle this?" she asked, her tone becoming upset.
"I don't want Joe" Ryder groaned.
"Ugh, okay. At least tell me what's wrong. I don't want to leave unless you're really sick" Mel said disgruntled.
"My head hurts, my body aches and I keep coughing. Also, my throat really hurts" Ryder explained.
"Aw, honey. Okay, I'll be home soon. Go lie down in the living room. Love you" Mel said frantically, quickly ending the call.
"Love you too" Ryder said while giving Joe a thumbs up.
"Man! You're good. Good job, you saved me" Joe told him, proudly.
"No problem. Aunt Mel told me to go lie down" Ryder said miserably.
"She's right. I'll be right in, I want to check your temperature" Joe told Ryder.
Ryder nodded and headed to the living room."
Mel explained the circumstances to an unhappy Austin, apologized and got a rain check. She quickly hurried home.
The whole drive back home had Mel panicked, nervous and worried. "Poor kid. I'm going to have to cancel my meeting tomorrow. He's never like this. Aww, he must be really sick. Why didn't he tell me before I left? Ah. I wonder if they have fever reducers at the house. Did Joe even check his temperature?"
These thoughts were piling up in Mel's mind. Shortly, she was in the driveway and turning the car off. She jogged to the door.
Inside, Joe was taking the thermometer out of Ryder's mouth. Joe shot up as Mel opened the door.
"How is he?" She said automatically, trotting to the couch Ryder was lying on.
"100.6" Joe read her as Ryder began to cough.
Mel sat in the empty space of the couch Ryder had left.
"How're you doing?" she asked him, running her hands through his hair.
"My throat hurts from coughing" Ryder said.
"You poor thing. It's okay. I'm here" Mel said with empathy.
"I'm sorry for ruining your night" Ryder apologized.
"No no, you didn't ruin it. Don't be sorry! Austin will deal with it " Mel explained, lively.
"Oh, was Austin mad?" Joe asked.
"Um..He was..he wasn't happy. But, we took a raincheck for tomorrow night" Mel briefly told him.
Joe and Ryder both looked at each other.
Ryder began coughing to change the subject.
"I'm going to get him something for that cough" Joe told Mel.
"Good idea. Thanks, Joe" Mel said.
So, basically - I'm editing the story and adding a lot. It may be different than it was last. But, I'm sure you'll like it! The rest is being edited.