Guest: Carnival (the Rio De Janeiro kind) is an interesting idea but it's not Spanish it's Portuguese. Brazil was colonized by Portugal in 1532. In 1822 it declared its independence. Didn't know you were going to get a history lesson did you? So let me think about that. I actually don't know much about carnival. As for visiting Abuela? I think that warrants a full story on its own complete with Rex and Circe.

Thank you Lavz for this idea and thank you for your support. I'm glad you like my stuff.

I do not own this franchise.

Beverly sneezed into her tissue.

"I'm sorry Caesar. I know we were supposed to go to the science expo today but I just can't get up." She croaked into her cell phone.

"Why? Are you sick?" Caesar asked on the other end.

"No, I always sound like I ate razors for breakfast." Beverly said snappishly.

There was silence on the other end and Beverly wondered I'd she had offended the mercurial scientist.

"Oh, you were being sarcastic. Fascinating, you must not be feeling well for me to illicit such a response."

"Sorry," Beverly said contritely. "Listen, why don't you take Rex to the Science Expo instead?"

"Mi hermano? I love my brother but… absolutely not! Last time I took him to one of these things he managed to get us banned from ever entering that conference center. I still have to use an alias if I want to attend any gatherings there." Caesar replied.

"Well go by yourself. I'm sure you'll have a better time now that I'm not going with you." Beverly closed her eyes. The light was hurting them.

"Why would that be?" Caesar asked.

Beverly could almost see him frowning.

She became slightly flustered. "Well you know because you don't have to worry about me being bored and you can go visit whichever exhibit you want."

"I do wonder if you are bored but that would not stop me from visiting the exhibits." Caesar replied.

"Oh," Beverly wasn't sure how to take that. So she decided to go. Her head was feeling fuzzy anyway. "Caesar, I have to rest. I'm just not up to talking."

"Yes, of course. Did you take any medication? Wait don't answer that. I don't want you to hurt your throat. Don't worry I'll take care of everything." Then there was a click as he hung up.

Beverly put her cell down. She was too tired to even bother asking him what he meant by that. She slowly drifted off to sleep.

Beverly was having confusing dreams about cats flying in jet planes when she was startled awake by a sound. She opened an eye to see what it was and was confronted by a pair of eyes. She gasped and pulled the covers up to her chin.

"What the..."

"It's only me." Caesar had a surgical mask over his mouth and nose. He stepped back and pulled off his mask. "I was merely providing myself with a measure of protection from microbial elements."

"Caesar, what are you doing here?" Beverly managed to squeak out.

"I told you I'd take care of everything." Caesar said matter-of-factly.

Beverly noticed for the first time all the equipment set up in her room.

There was a humidifier, spraying out what she hoped was just water vapors, an air filter, and some machine was casting soft ambient light into the room.

"What is all this?" Beverly wondered if she was still asleep.

"To help you feel better. Want some chicken soup?" Caesar pulled the mask back over his face.

"Uh, okay."

Caesar pulled out a thermos and a bowl materialized from somewhere.

He unscrewed the cap and poured out some hot liquid. He pulled a spoon from one of the many pockets on his vest. He offered the bowl and spoon to her.

She just blinked at him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot." He pulled out a small box out of his back pocket. He put it on the bed and pressed a button. The box unfolded itself and a tray table appeared on the bed. Caesar laid the soup and spoon on it and carefully lifted it so that it was within easy reach of Beverly.

Beverly shook herself out of her daze. "Thank you."

She picked up the spoon and tried to ignore his intense scrutiny as she place the first spoonful of liquid in her mouth.

Her face brightened when the now warm liquid hit the back of her throat.

"This is really good." She said enthusiastically spooning the rest of the soup into her mouth.

"It's my Abuela's recipe. Whenever Rex or I was sick she would make this. If we were in another country she would have it mailed to us. That's why we were never sick long." Caesar explained.

"What's in it?" Beverly asked conversationally.

"Well, besides chicken she usually puts in armadillo." Caesar said.

Beverly choked on the next bite. "What!" She exclaimed.

"But I couldn't find any here." Caesar rambled on.

"Oh, too bad." Beverly said with relief.

"But she said I can substitute hedgehog." Caesar continued.

Beverly had the spoon halfway to her mouth before setting it down.

"But that's even more difficult to find." Caesar did not notice that Beverly was no longer eating.

"Why don't you just tell me what you put in this soup." Beverly said slowly.

"There's chicken, carrots," Caesar started.

"So there's nothing strange in here?" Beverly asked carefully.

"What do you mean?" Caesar frowned.

"I mean is there any animal that is not usually consumed lurking in this soup." Beverly suddenly felt very tired.

"You know every animal can be consumed in some culture." Caesar stated.

"Yes, I am well aware of that but unless it moos, baas, or clucks I don't eat it." Beverly noted.

"What if it blubs?" Beverly was not expecting that question.

"What?" She blinked at him.

"You know blubs... like a fish. I'm not sure what sound a lobster makes..." Caesar said thoughtfully.

"Caesar!" Beverly cried in exasperation.

"No, there's only chicken in there." Caesar said.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, I made it."

"Okay," Beverly said with relief as she had another spoonful. Then she bit into something hard.

"What's this?" She asked pulling it out of her mouth.

"Oh, that's the nail from the feet." Caesar peered at the object.

"What feet?" Beverly asked weakly.

"The chicken's, of course." Caesar said.

"You put the chicken's feet into the soup." Beverly slowly pushed the tray away.

"Yes, along with the head, neck, and other parts a chicken has." Caesar looked puzzled. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing. You know you're right. I'm feeling much better… so much so that I don't need this any more." Beverly said.

"See? I told you Abuela's soup works miracles." Caesar beamed.

"Yes. It does. But you know I'm still feeling tired so..."

"Oh sure I'll let you rest. I bet you'll be back on your feet tomorrow." Caesar gathered his tray along with the bowl and spoon. He headed out of her room.

"I'm sure I will." Beverly replied. "Especially if I have to eat that soup." She muttered after he left.

But it was sweet that he tried to take care of her… just next time she'll have to get the soup from the can. Safer that way.

You know that scene in A Christmas Story where they had to go to a Chinese restaurant for dinner and the manager cuts off the duck's head? My mom gets indignant that they would waste that part. Haha.

Side note: Updating on an important day. Can you guess?