Chapter 7

When El came down early the next morning to check on Neal she found that not only was Neal showing signs of his fever returning but that her husband was also feverish.

"Oh no, not you too Peter," she murmured as she laid her hand on his forehead and felt the heat radiating from it. "Your mom is going to have her hands full with you as well as Neal," and darted back upstairs to get her mother-in-law.

You say that Peter is feverish, too?" asked Carolyn as she accompanied El back downstairs.

"Yes…you don't think they have the flu, do you?" El asked worriedly.

"Well, it is going around. Did Peter or Neal take a flu shot this year as a preventive?"

"I know that Peter had an appointment to get one last week, but I don't know if he actually did," replied El as she looked lovingly at Peter.

"What about Neal?"

"I doubt it; he has a thing against shots or even going to the doctor. The last time Peter had to take him was because he became anemic. He was a handful that time but we managed to nurse him back to health; of course we had to persuade him to follow the doctor's orders to the seat of his britches on more than one occasion," El said as she remembered the last time Neal was recuperating at their house.

"El? I don't feel good," Peter said weakly as he woke to find his mother and wife both downstairs.

"I know honey; I'm afraid that you have whatever Neal has," El said gently. "I'm going to get your pajamas, robe and slippers…you are staying down here with Neal," she added firmly as she headed for the stairs.

Peter was beyond caring about where just as long as he could lie down and get some relief from the pounding in his head. "Whatever you say, hon."

"Peter, did you take a flu shot last week?" asked his mother.

"No, but I meant to. We had a case that took preference over it. Is that what I have?" replied Peter.

"Maybe…what are your symptoms?"

"I'm cold, I hurt all over, I'm so tired all of a sudden and I feel the urge to cough," replied Peter.

"El says that you also have fever," added his mom.

"I feel the same as Peter," Neal's said from the bed as he looked wide-eyed at Peter and Carolyn.

"Well, it looks like my two boys have the flu or at least several symptoms connected to the flu. El and I will have our hands full in taking care of you two. Neal did you get a flu shot this year or were you like my son and forgot?" Carolyn asked the young man in bed.

"I didn't forget; I don't like shots," replied Neal, "I didn't have one."

"Well, you will next year or feel my hairbrush against your backside," she said sternly as she glanced at both Neal ad Peter.

El returned at that moment carrying Peter's nightclothes and helped him to the bathroom so he could change. They emerged a moment later and she helped him

into bed next to Neal.

"I brought this for you Carolyn, "El said as she handed over her mother-n-law's remedies book.

"Thank you dear; I think you had better bring down my cough syrup and two tablespoons…these two are going to be in need of it soon," she said as she watched her two boys. They were clearly fighting the urge to cough but she knew it wouldn't last for long.

El smiled as she went back upstairs returning just as the coughing began. "I'll take care of Peter," she said as she poured a liberal dose before handing the bottle over to Carolyn who did the same for Neal and as soon as the coughing stopped Peter and Neal took their medicine.

"Ugh, I don't remember it tasting that bad when I was a boy, Mom," Peter said after swallowing the thick liquid.

"That's probably the added ingredients of garlic and ginger," quipped Neal as he laid his head wearily down.

"Mom, will you and El be okay taking care of Neal and me?" asked Peter with concern.

"I'm fine; unlike you I took a flu shot this year," replied Carolyn.

"As did I," added El, "so don't worry we are quite safe as we care for our boys."

The rest of the morning was spent as the two ladies tried their best to see to the comfort of their sick boys. They brought pillows for Peter so he could prop up in bed to make breathing much easier. The only problem they had was when it came to take their temperatures. Everything was going fine until it was discovered that the battery had run out in the electronic thermometer and Carolyn was forced to bring out the old fashioned one…a rectal thermometer and both Peter and Neal refused to even consider letting Carolyn or El take it.

"Boys! You will do as I say…NOW!" ordered Carolyn as she glared at Peter and Neal in turn.

Peter had the good sense to agree as he nodded and lowered his eyes at his mother's angry countenance. "It's okay dear, I'll take care of it," promised El as she took the prepared thermometer and gently inserted it within her husband and kept it there for four minutes before taking it out and reading the results. "Peter's temperature is 101.2, Carolyn," she said as she took the thermometer to the bathroom the clean it for its next use.

"Here," El said as she handed it to Carolyn to use on Neal, who for some reason

didn't seem to be fighting against its use.

"How did you manage to get him to agree?" El whispered.

"It's amazing how placing my hairbrush next to his nightstand can make him very agreeable to everything I ask," replied Carolyn with a smile. A moment later she announced, "Neal's temperature is 101.1. It's time to get their temps down…do you have any Tylenol El?"

"Yes, I bought a whole new bottle of extra strength Tylenol the other day," she replied as she went to get it and soon a regiment of two Tylenol every four hours was put into action.

"If that doesn't work then we need to cool them down. If you don't mind staying with them while I whip up some homemade remedies we can get started with them as well," asked Carolyn as she left to prepare what Peter and Neal knew was going to be some nastier tasting remedies. The battle was about to start.