Fishy

She awoke to something poking her shoulder.

"Pssst. Mommy." Sara sighed and turned to face her daughter.

"Yes, Hal, what is it?"

"Daddy told me not to wake you yet."

Sara chuckled, "Well, you obviously didn't listen to him."

"That's why I'm whispering!"

"Oh!" Sara mouthed.

"But I couldn't wait, so I'm telling you now that Uncle Greg is coming over! He said he had a surprise for you!"

Sara shook her head while yawning. "Did he say when he's coming?"

"After I woke you up." Both mother and daughter looked to see Gil standing at the bedroom door. "What did I tell you, Hal?"

"Sorry daddy."

"It's fine." Sara brushed her fingers through Halley's hair while rubbing her eyes. "Does he know I have a stomach virus and that both you guys just got over it? Otherwise I'm not sure that it's such a good idea…"

"He said he'd come prepared. And he said he'd be quick. If you need more rest I'm sure he'll understand."

"No, no I'm looking forward to seeing him. I haven't seen much of anything but the inside of this house for weeks now."

"Ok, well I'm going to take Hal to the park, so you two can have some peace and quiet." Gil motioned for his daughter to take his hand. "He has a key so he'll let himself him. Call me if you need anything." With that, he kissed his wife on the forehead and closed the door.


Sara was fighting sleep, but gave in after dozing off a few times. The door creaked and she bolted upright.

"Sorry!" Greg apologized. He pulled over a chair and placed a bag on the floor.

"What are you wearing? You look ridiculous!" Sara laughed while pointing at the surgical mask over Greg's face.

"I figured it'd serve us both well."

"I understand it protecting you from getting my illness, but how'd it'd be good for me?" Sara questioned.

"Uhh," Greg hesitated. "Entertainment? I don't know…bear with me here?" He chucked as he removed it from his face. "So, you look better than what Gil described."

Sara sat there gaping at him. "I'll have to thank my husband later. But anyway I should look this good considering I was taking care of him and Hal the past few weeks. Then as a thank you gift, I guess, I get sick. It never fails."

"That is why I am sitting before you. I'm here to console you as well as nourish you." Greg held up a thermos. "Chicken soup to soothe the stomach?"

"Aww thanks Greggo. You're in luck; my stomach's been calm for the past two days." He set a bowl, spoon, and bag of crackers on her nightstand. "And you've come prepared. How can I not love you?"

Greg fanned himself, as if astounded from the compliment. "Why thank you my Lady. Now eat up before it gets cold or you throw up."

"Mmm this is good! Who knew you could cook stuff other than your Blue Hawaiian?" He jokingly nudged her. "Hey! Stop that before it ends up on your lap!"

"So, how was it taking care of two sicklings?" He handed her a napkin and she wiped her face as she answered.

"It was pretty difficult. If one wasn't getting sick, the other one was. Gil was able to get by without my help, but Hal needed it every second. I felt so bad. It's the worst when you spend your days with a bowl by your side and the nights by the toilet. Luckily –hopefully they're good for awhile. Now it's just me and I think I'm pretty much past the worst."

"You're a real trouper. Think you'll be able to handle another one?"

"Another what?"

"Another kid."

Sara laid the spoon in the bowl, apparently giving the question serious thought. "You know it's funny, Gil and I were talking about that." She struggled to get her thoughts out.

"And?"

"To answer your question, yes, I'd most definitely be able to handle another baby. We both would like a sibling for Halley. We decided we'd go in with open minds and see what happens. When we stress we tend to get flustered and that's never good."

Greg patted her knee. "That's great! I'm happy for you guys."

"Thanks. But at the same time we're not getting any younger—"

"Like you said, don't worry! Sar, it'll happen." He reached down and brought up a felt bag. "Now, to make you feel better I bought you a lil something something."

"Greg, you didn't have to do that."

"No, I wanted to. Your bracelet has become the talk of the lab. Everyone is making their way onto your bracelet and I want in on it."

Sara was holding a silver fish shaped Pandora charm. She had a happy yet quizzical look on her face. "A fishy?"

"Long story short, I tried to find a water droplet or rubber ducky but they didn't have one…"

Sara really concentrated on his words and something instantly clicked. "Our shower together?" She half said, half laughed. "I love it!" She griped him in a hug.

"I'm glad. I will never forget that day. I knew it'd make you laugh!"

She was still laughing and it was hard for her to stop. "That it did. I'll also have to thank you for helping me recover. I'm feeling better already." She opened her nightstand drawer and took out her Pandora bracelet. She unclasped it and slid the charm along the other ones. "Now every time I feel sick or sad I can look at this cute fishy and be reminded of our liaison. I just won't say anything to Gil."

She patted the empty spot next to her. "Don't be shy. You've seen me naked so sitting with me fully clothed shouldn't be a problem. And you've been with me long enough so if you were meant to get sick, it would be in your system by now."

Greg happily plopped down next to her. "Even when you're sick as a dog you don't lose your sense of humor."

"It's what keeps me going." She turned to face Greg. "I really want to thank you for this and everything else. You're my best friend and I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You're mine. And besides, without the shower story, I wouldn't have a conversation stopper."

I enjoyed spending my second official day of summer writing this. I hope you enjoyed it too. Who couldn't go for the shower scene or some Sandle talk? Thoughts?