Phone Calls Part Two
Clay put forth his best effort to make Catherine happy and ate one whole pancake and half of another before declaring himself unable to eat another bite. Derrick coaxed him into finishing a good size cup of grape juice and using the bathroom. Unfortunately for Clay, there was zero improvement in the comfort level when he hesitantly emptied his bladder. The adults could see that he was worn out and more than ready for a nap.
"Come on Goldilocks," Sonny said, leading him into the living room to relax on the couch while Derrick and Catherine cleaned up the kitchen. "The boss wants you to call and let him know how you are feeling. Then I think it's time for you to crawl back into my bed and get yourself some more good rest. Let that medicine have some time to work while you are snoozin'."
"I'm not tired, Sonny," Clay whined. "I want to stay out here with you guys."
"You can barely keep your eyes open," Sonny said lightly, handing him the phone. "Don't bother lyin' to me."
"It's me," Clay said, softly when Jason answered the phone expecting to hear Sonny at the other end.
"Hey, Sunshine," Jason said, cheerfully. "I've been waiting for you to call. Have you been sleeping all afternoon?"
Clay was feeling nauseous, and his legs were starting to ache again, but he was relieved to hear the strong, steady voice of his chosen father figure and fierce protector. The exhausted kid was suddenly overwhelmed and surprised to have his vision blur and feel tears on his warm, itchy face. He tried to wipe them away quickly, embarrassed to be crying like a little kid for no reason and hoping the adults sitting around the kitchen table hadn't noticed.
"I woke up a little while ago," Clay said sniffling, trying to pull himself together. "Derrick and Catherine came over. We had pancakes for dinner. Is Mikey there with you?"
"Nope," Jason said, concerned at the emotion he could clearly hear in his boy's voice, but keeping his own voice light. "Mikey is back at his apartment with his girl. I'm here at the hotel getting cleaned up. We are off to a brewery and dinner downtown tonight. How are you feeling, Sunshine? Sonny says you have a bladder infection."
Clay didn't respond. He was trying really hard not to let Jason know he was on the verge of crying.
"You still there, honey," Jason asked calmly. "I know bladder infections are the worst. I'm guessing you aren't feeling so good right now. Is Sonny there with you?"
"He's in the kitchen with Derrick and Catherine," Clay managed to get out. "You want to talk to him?"
"No," Jason said. "I want to talk to my worn out kid. Sonny said you took a trip to the infirmary. I know that didn't make you happy. The doc gave you some medicine to get you feeling better?"
"Yeah," Clay said, softly. "But it's not really working. I don't feel good. Did Sonny tell you what happened yesterday?"
"He mentioned something about you trying to stage a coup after I left," Jason said. "I got the impression that didn't go so well for you. What was that all about?"
"I got spanked," Clay said, nervously. "I'm sorry."
"Well if you pushed your softie Uncle Sonny over the edge and got yourself a spanking, I'm guessing you both are very sorry," Jason said, calmly.
"And I was bad at the infirmary," Clay added quickly, figuring he might as well confess everything and get it over with.
Jason was unfazed by the behavior report, but concerned about his boy's current emotional state.
"Well, Sunshine," he said evenly. "Sounds like you've been busy. You and I both know I'm not happy to hear you gave Sonny a hard time. Especially since you are already on lockdown. But since Sonny already reminded you that he is the adult in charge. I'm going to just say that I expect you to be on your best behavior from here on out. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," Clay said, relieved that Jason wasn't mad at him. "I'll be good. I promise."
"You are always good, honey," Jason said gently. "And I'm confident you will be cooperative with both Sonny and Derrick until I get back home."
"When are you coming back?" Clay asked, softly. "I miss you. And Trent too. Is his dad okay?"
"I'll be home on Friday, sweetheart," Jason said. "And I miss you too. I talked to Trent about an hour ago. His dad is doing good. He's with his mom and sisters at the hospital. And I know Trent is missing his favorite handful."
"When is he coming home?" Clay asked, clearly miserable. "I don't feel good. Derrick says if my medicine doesn't start working by tomorrow night, he's going to give me shots. I miss Trent. I don't want shots without him."
"I'm sorry you are sick, Sunshine," Jason said. "And honey, I know you want your Uncle Trent. But, I also know you understand that he needs to be with his family in Alabama right now. You have Sonny and Derrick there to take care of you and get you feeling better. And we both know Catherine is spoiling you rotten."
"Does Trent know I'm sick?" Clay asked. "He hasn't called since he left."
"I didn't tell him about the bladder infection because I know he will worry and fret," Jason said. "I was waiting to be sure his dad is okay, but I'm going to call tomorrow morning and let him know you aren't feeling good. And I guarantee he will be on the phone to check on you the second he hears that you visited the infirmary without him."
"And speaking of the infirmary," Jason said. "Why am I getting mixed reports on your behavior?"
"What did Sonny and Derrick say?" Clay asked hesitantly.
"How about you tell me the truth, and we'll see how that matches up with what your uncles had to say?" Jason chuckled.
"I wasn't terrible, Jase," Clay said, nervously. "I didn't throw a fit or anything. But, I fussed when the doctor and Derrick said I needed two shots. I told the doctor that my butt was hurting because Sonny spanked me, but it really wasn't sore at all anymore."
"So you tried to make Sonny feel guilty and conned him and the doctor into letting you go without the shots you needed?" Jason summarized.
"Yes, sir," Clay admitted, quietly.
"And now it sounds like Derrick is going to need to give you the shots tomorrow that you should have gotten this morning at the infirmary," Jason said.
"Derrick says unless the medicine starts working, I'm getting the shots tomorrow," Clay pouted. "No matter how much I cry to Sonny."
"Well, Sunshine," Jason said. "Sounds to me like you figured out on your own that you should have just behaved and taken the shots at the infirmary. If you had, right now you would be starting to feel better. Instead, you are feeling rotten, you have a bellyache, and you have shots coming your way."
"That doesn't make me feel better," Clay grouched.
"Sorry," Jason said. "But you brought this on yourself with your naughty nonsense. And you most definitely know better, honey. So right now, I want you to mind the adults. Get yourself back in Sonny's bed and get some sleep. Take your shots with limited drama tomorrow because I love you, and I want you to start feeling better as soon as possible."
"I love you, too," Clay said, pitifully. "I wish I could wait for you to come home to get the shots. It's gonna hurt, Jase. Derrick is giving me the same shots I got at the infirmary in Mexico when I had the strep throat and ear infections."
"I'm sorry, honey," Jason said, sincerely. "I know you're upset and you don't want the shots. And I wish I could be there with you. But, I'm going to call tomorrow to talk to you again. And I'm going to let Trent know you are missing him and need him to call tomorrow as well. I love you sweetheart."
"I love you, too," Clay sniffled, the tears starting again. "You'll be back Friday, right? And Trent is coming home soon?"
"I'll be back on Friday, Sunshine. I promise," Jason said firmly. "And Trent will be home soon. Can you put Sonny or Derrick on the phone for me, honey?"
"Okay," Clay whispered, walking to the kitchen with the phone.
"Jason wants to talk to you," Clay said, handing the phone to Sonny, tears wetting his red, blotchy cheeks.
"Woah there, Shorty," Derrick said, standing and reaching out to feel the worked up kid's hot forehead and cheeks. Making eye contact with Catherine, he nodded toward the bedroom.
"How about you and Aunt Catherine go get yourselves resting on Sonny's big bed with this blue Gatorade and some Netflix," Derrick said. "You're cooking up a pretty good fever there. I'm going to get a cool washcloth and some clean pajamas and we're going to get you sorted out and ready for bed,"
Catherine took the Gatorade from her husband. Wrapping the clearly upset boy in her arms, she kissed his warm forehead, feeling the rising fever.
"I feel sick, Catherine," Clay mumbled, burying his face in her shoulder.
"I know you do, baby," She soothed, rubbing his back. "Let's go lay down in Sonny's room while Derrick gets what he needs to help you feel better. Sonny is going to talk to Jason, and we're all going to relax for a while. How does that sound, Sweetie?"
"Okay," he nodded, compliantly. "Jason says he's coming home on Friday, and Trent is calling me tomorrow."
"That's good news, baby," Catherine said gently, making eye contact with Derrick before leading Clay off to Sonny's bedroom.
Once the kid was out of the room, Derrick sighed, grabbing his bag and shaking his head at Sonny who took the phone into the living room to talk to Jason.
"Is he okay, Sonny?" Jason asked nervously. "He sounds like he's getting himself worked up."
"Derrick and Catherine are getting him settled down, boss," Sonny sighed. "You know how he gets when he's sick. He wants you. He wants Trent. He feels like crap. But your super neighbors know what they're doing. He's going to be settled and sleeping . He'll be his naughty self by Friday when you get home."
"I told him I would call Trent tomorrow, so prepare yourself for the verbal trip to the woodshed," Jason sighed.
"Yeah, Boss," Sonny said. "I know he's gonna be royally pissed off at me. And probably cutting his trip short if I know Trent. But he can't make me feel worse than I already do. I really fucked up with the kid. But, I'm going to do whatever Derrick says is necessary to get him sorted out and feeling better before you get home."
"Relax, Sonny," Jason said. "This isn't all on you. I was distracted before I left, and so was Trent, or we wouldn't have missed that the kid was getting sick. He didn't go from fine to pissing himself and speaking Mandingo overnight. Knowing Clay, he was sick and hiding it because he wanted to spend the week in the kidzone with Brock and Katie."
"And then I lost my temper and grounded him before leaving town which set you up for whatever bad behavior led to you tanning his little hide," Jason chuckled. "I know he must have been off the rails for you to give him a real, honest to goodness spanking. And I'm sure he fussed and howled like you were torturing him and he might lose the ability to sit."
"I'm never doing that again, Jase," Sonny said, sadly. "I'm serious. It's a good thing I never had kids. I don't know how you could deal with three of them and lead a team. He absolutely broke my heart. I checked his ass three times to make sure I didn't leave bruises or hurt him."
Jason laughed. "All kids lose it and yell like they're going to need an intensive care unit when they get their butts spanked," he said. "Sonny, I know there is absolutely no chance you would ever hurt Clay or any child, ever. And if you had kids, you would be a great dad."
Sonny scoffed. "I don't know about that. My kids would probably be feral."
"Kids are sneaky and manipulative. It's their superpower," Jason said. "I can man up and deal with Clay like I did with Mikey when I had to punish him. But, Sonny man, Emma killed me. I probably only really spanked her three or four times, and I literally almost cried the last time she put on such a performance."
Sonny chuckled, "I can totally see that. Emma was your princess when she was a little girl."
"Thank God, I only had one girl. If I didn't have Alana, Emma would have been a wild child because my baby girl tested and pushed every limit. But my wife didn't care if the whole neighborhood heard her howling and the cops showed up," Jason said. "She had to be the strict one. Alana was basically a single mother most of the time thanks to my job."
"With kids, you do what you have to do to raise them right," Jason said sincerely. "And I'm sorry you had to deal with Sunshine. But believe me, he adores you, and he knows you love and would do anything for him. So there is zero reason for you to feel bad or guilty. He got what he earned himself. And he's fine."
"Well, Derrick's on the case," Sonny said. "He's getting him sorted out now, and tomorrow the runt is getting his overdue tush shots. So there is plenty of pouting and cuddling in my future, no doubt."
"No doubt," Jason laughed. " I owe you a giant steak and a shot of good whiskey when I get back, brother. Tell Derrick and Catherine, I'm taking all three of you out Saturday night for Surf and Turf at Chops on me. Assuming Trent is back, he can join us too. I'll lift the grounding early and send Clay out with Brock and Katie for mini-golf and pizza on the Boardwalk."
"Damn, Boss," Sonny whistled. "Surf and Turf at Chops. Just the grownups. Colorado must be good for your soul. I will pass the word. This might even loosen up Derrick and Trent and get me off their collective shit list."
"I'll call tomorrow to check on the kid, Sonny," Jason said. "But if he gets himself worked up over the shots, call and I'll pep talk him."
"Copy that," Sonny said. "Have fun with your other kid, and don't worry about Trouble. I've got him covered."
"Thanks, Sonny," Jason said. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
In Sonny's bedroom, Derrick had Clay stripped down to his boxer briefs, standing at the bottom of the bed watching the Cartoon Network, shivering while the medic gave him a cool sponge bath to help bring down his fever. He was back up to almost 103. A quick call to the doctor on duty at the infirmary confirmed it was okay for Derrick to stop the current meds which had officially given a very miserable Clay the pukes and shits.
The medic was going to give him a shot to bring down his fever and help him sleep more comfortably, and another to help with the nausea and diarrhea. Once he got off the phone with Jason, Sonny ran down to the corner to pick up a case of Bud Light for the adults, and another blue slushie. Catherine insisted on Clay's favorite icy treat to soothe her baby after Derrick would be delivering the bad news that there would be two shots before bed, and three more in the morning. Including the painful Rocephin which was likely to leave his bottom swollen and sore. Not to mention the new oral antibiotics introduced to his already upset stomach.
Catherine was changing the sheets on Sonny's bed so that she could wash the ones Clay had just vomited all over while Derrick was on the phone with the doctor and she was disinfecting the bathroom. When the bed was fresh and ready, she looked over at the boy she loved like her own, thinking sadly that the poor baby was getting wiped down, watching cartoons, not knowing that shots were coming next.
Derrick took the kid into the bathroom to confirm that he actually emptied his infected bladder after much squirming, hopping around and trying to avoid the painful burning. He got the kid in his clean sleep pants and t-shirt, allowing Catherine to fold the hurt hoodie around a pillow since the medic had announced it was too heavy to sleep in with his rising fever.
Sonny arrived back home with the beer, slushie and pack of Marlboro lights intended to get all three frazzled adults and one exhausted kid relaxed after a long, hard day that wasn't over yet. When they heard him enter the apartment, Derrick took Catherine aside and whispered that she and Bravo Three should just share a drink and a smoke out on the balcony while he cleaned up Sonny's fucking mess and gave the kid his shots.
His soft-hearted wife protested that she wanted to help keep Clay calm, but Derrick insisted that it would be faster and less dramatic if the kid didn't have an audience to cry to for support. He told Catherine the shots were non-negotiable, and unless Trent magically teleported in from Alabama to wrangle his boy into submission, he was going to be the bad guy tonight. And she and Sonny needed to make themselves scarce.
Once he was alone with the kid, Derrick sat Clay down on the bed and turned off the TV to get his full attention. He sat down next to the kid, lifting his arm so that Clay could curl into his side.
"Okay Shorty," he said, breaking out his calm but firm voice. "I know you are having a rotten day, and this isn't what you want to hear." Clay turned to bury his face in Derrick's chest, already dreading what he knew was coming.
"I don't want shots, Derrick," he whined. "Please say it's not shots."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Derrick said, holding him close. "You're sick and we both know it. I'm going to give you a shot to cool you down, and a shot to help stop the puke and poop show so you can relax and get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow morning I'm going to give you the antibiotic shot and you're going to start the new oral meds because this crap the doc gave you is not a friend to your sensitive tummy."
Clay was sniffling, still hiding his face. "I hate this day," he said. "I want Jason and Trent to come home."
"I'm done with this day, too Runt," Derrick agreed. "And so are Sonny and Catherine. And we all wish you could have your boss-dad and your best uncle to make you feel better. But tonight we are going to power through with limited fussing and zero arguing. Capice?"
"Yes, sir," Clay whispered, holding tight to Derrick's shirt.
"Good boy," Alpha's medic said, smiling and kissing his boy's warm head.
"You know the drill by now, honey," Derrick teased gently, forcing the kid to sit up and turning to reach for his bag. "Turn over on your belly for me."
Clay complied, looking back over his shoulder to give the medic his most wounded expression.
"I know, baby," Derrick said, sympathetically. "Tush shots are no fun for anyone."
Wasting no time, Derrick tugged down the kid's sleep pants and patted his bottom. "Pull your knees up a little and lift your tail - bottoms up," he said, calmly putting on his gloves and wiping the injection site. Preparing the both needles so he wouldn't need to stop between shots, Derrick held the boy down with one hand on his back while injecting the first shot in his upturned bottom."
"Ow!" Clay squealed. He tried to wiggle free, but Derrick held him still with one strong hand while picking up the second needle with his other hand.
"Be still, Clay," he said, sternly. "Don't make me hold you over my lap like a little kid."
Unable to move with Derrick's iron hand on his back holding him down, Clay accepted his fate and tried to relax.
"Good boy," Derrick said, injecting the second shot just below the first on the same side so that both sides wouldn't be sore in the morning when the kid would be bottom up for three more shots.
"OW!" Clay yelped. "Why doesn't it hurt this much when Trent gives me shots?"
Derrick released his hold on the complaining kid and cleaned up the needles.
"I don't know, Trouble," he chuckled. "Probably because you relax for Trent. Or maybe it's because of Trent's magic powers. You can ask him when he calls tomorrow and you snitch on me for being a second rate medic."
Clay turned on his side, rubbing his sore bottom. He looked up at his favorite neighbor and gave him his best puppy eyes. "I never said you weren't a good medic," he said, softly. "Thanks for coming over to take care of me, and being so good to me. I took your advice."
Derrick smiled, tugging the kid's pants back up and rubbing his back to help him settle. "Yeah?" he asked. "What excellent advice did you take from your handsome uncle Derrick now?"
"I confessed everything I did wrong and told Jason that Sonny had to give me a spanking," Clay said.
"And how did that go over with the boss?" Derrick asked.
"Better than I expected," Clay said, smiling. "He didn't seem mad. Just said that he wasn't happy to hear I had given Sonny a hard time, but since Sonny had handled it, he was just going to say that he expected that I would be on my best behavior for the rest of the week until he got home."
"I'm glad to hear that, tough guy," Derrick smiled. "You know Catherine and I hate to see you in trouble."
"Did you lock Catherine and Sonny out so they couldn't save me?" Clay deadpanned.
"Sure did," Derrick said. "Sent them both outside on the balcony to cry together with their beer and cigarettes."
"Catherine smokes cigarettes?" Clay's eyes got huge. "No way."
"She only does it occasionally when she's very stressed out," Derrick laughed. "And you had better not even think of telling her what I told you. She tries to be a good role model for you."
"I'll do my best not to let that slip," Clay smiled.
"You better not let anything 'slip'," Derrick warned. "If you open your motormouth, I will go straight to your daddy and tell him that you and Brock broke his favorite putter using it to play golfclub baseball and blamed it on the little thug down the hall. You both lied straight to his face. If the master chief of the spanking spoon ever finds out, you will be able to heat the apartment on Christmas with your blazing tail. And your partner in crime might find out he's not quite as grown up as he likes to think."
Clay's mouth dropped open and he sat up, squealing when his sore butt hit Sonny's extra-firm mattress.
"How did you know about that?" Clay said. "Derrick, you can never tell Jason. The whole building will hear me crying like a little kid. Promise you won't tell."
"I guess that depends on you, tough guy," the medic said, shaking his head. "And I know everything that goes on in my building. So you might want to keep that in mind when you are havoc-wreaking."