Do not read while eating.
…
AJ had never felt so miserable in his life.
He lay in bed, his pillow hugged to his stomach and tried not to cry.
Last night when he went to bed with a tummy ache, Grandpa Adam had come and sat with him. When he was sick for the first time, Brooke came in to help him. When he wouldn't stop being sick and everything else started happening Aunty Marion came and stayed with him all night.
AJ had stopped being sick when there was nothing left to throw up but his stomach still gurgled and twisted inside him.
Dr Lincoln said to make sure he keeps taking fluids but with the first glass of water he vomited again. AJ didn't want to eat and he didn't want to drink. He just wanted it all to stop. He just wanted someone to come and make him all better.
AJ wanted his mom.
There was a knock at the door and Marion came in, a glass of water in her hand.
"It's hot and I put some salt and sugar in it." she said. "It won't taste nice but you need to drink it."
AJ felt sick just looking at it.
"I don't want to." he said, close to tears. He didn't want to throw up again.
"Just a little sip." said Marion, sitting on the side of the bed. "Please for me."
AJ looked at her, she was smiling kindly back.
Sobbing, AJ let her put the glass to his lips and took a sip.
…
AJ's stomach was gurgling and grumbling over the mouthfuls of liquid now swimming in his stomach.
He buried his face in his pillow as he tried to be the brave boy Grandpa Adam said he was.
Lost in his misery, AJ didn't look up when the door to his bedroom openned. He felt the bed move as someone sat beside him and cool hands touched his back and felt his brow.
"Oh my poor baby. I'm so sorry." said the most welcome voice in the world.
"Mommy!" cried AJ, turning round to throw his arms around her and bury his head in her chest.
"Oh sweetheart. I came as soon as I could." said mommy, kissing his hair and rocking him. "My poor, poor baby."
…
Mommy was sitting on his bed, her back against the head board as AJ lay beside her, his head on her lap.
She was brushing her fingers through his hair and telling him about all the things she had seen in New York and the people she had met.
AJ smiled contentedly, his eyes half closed as her voice washed over him. Just having her here seemed to have quieted the grumbling in his aching tummy.
'That is the best thing about moms.' AJ decided, 'They always know how to make you feel better.'
…