Rock, Revy, and Riley have been sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office for about ten minutes after Riley had woken up with a fever accompanied by some very congested coughs which originated from the night before but only seemed to have grown worse. She couldn't even find the strength to sit down properly or even speak as she kept her head resting on Rock's lap. Rock could only soothe Riley by gently stroking her hair as his worried expression looked between his daughter and the door leading to the doctor's office. Revy, however, was getting more antsy by the minute as her leg kept bouncing up and down and a grimace formed on her face. Her patience was running extremely thin before she decided to take action.
"Hey, front desk lady!", Revy called out as she knocked on the receptionist's glass window in a demanding tone. "Y-yes, ma'am?", the receptionist gently replied with slight hesitation. "Where the hell is the doctor?", Revy aggressively asked. "Dr. Swaile is currently seeing another patient at the moment, you just have to wait-", the receptionist answered. "We've been waiting! How much longer is this gonna take?!", Revy snapped back at her. "Revy, lower your voice. You're making a scene.", Rock firmly chimed in. "Well gee, sorry for being concerned for our sick daughter cuz the wait to see the fuckin' doctor is taking forever!", Revy sarcastically apologized. "Ma'am, please calm down.", the receptionist sheepishly said. "I am COMPLETELY CALM!", Revy furiously shouted back, showing that, no, she was not.
Thankfully before the situation could escalate, Dr. Swaile opened the door leading to his office. "Uh, Rock and Rebecca Okajima?", he called out to them, stopping them in their tracks. "Yeah, that's us.", Rock said as he carried an ill Riley from her seat. "Come right in you two.", he told them with Revy immediately walking with the doctor to his office. Rock also apologized to the receptionist before following suit as well.
Soon enough, Riley was laying down on the examination table while Rock and Revy sat in two nearby chairs. "Is she awake?", Dr. Swaile asked her parents. "Riley's usually a lot more active but she's been drifting in and out of sleep.", Rock answered. "She's been coughing a lot and this morning she got a bad fever.", Revy added. "How long has the coughing been going on for?", the doctor further asked. "Since yesterday, but it wasn't as bad as right now.", Revy answered. "I see. Do you know if she's been feeling any other symptoms?", Dr. Swaile wrote down before asking once again.
"We don't know.", Rock answered, "We can wake her up and ask.". "That would definitely help.", Dr. Swaile nodded. Revy then went and prodded her daughter repeatedly, "C'mon Riley, wake up.", she gently nudged her before Riley weakly opened her eyes and groaned. "I wanna go home…", Riley muttered before sniffing and giving a brief cough. "We're gonna be home real soon.", Revy assured, "You just have to talk to the doctor for a bit.". "Is he gonna use a stabby thing?", Riley asked in a somewhat worried tone. "No, no stabby thing.", Revy shook her head. Dr. Swaile then turned his attention to the small sickly child, "Hi Riley, you're not feeling too good, are you?", he gently greeted. "No…", Riley answered. "Your parents told me that you've got a bad cough and a fever.", he informed her, "Do you feel anything else? Anything that hurts?". "My throat…", Riley groggily answered, "And my nose.".
"I see.", Dr. Swaile nodded before grabbing a thermometer, "Raise your arm for me please.". Riley tiredly compiled before the doctor put a thermometer under her armpit, he analyzed her body temperature before the termometer put it at 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit. "100.5 degrees…", Dr. Swaile muttered. "That's the same temperature we got earlier.", Rock said. The doctor then grabbed a tongue depressor before walking back to Riley. "Say Ah.", he told her to which Riley responded by opening her mouth. A few seconds of checking her tongue later, Dr. Swaile collected the tongue depressor before Riley laid back down. "Okay, examination is covered. Now to run a few tests, shouldn't take too long.", he told them before walking out of the room.
"...Am I ever gonna get better?", Riley asked. "Don't worry, it's gonna be okay.", Rock reassured, "When we get home, I'll make you the best breakfast ever.". "Promise?", Riley asked. "You know I will.", Rock smiled. "Plus, we'll put on SpongeBob and all your other favorite shows.", Revy added, "Whole day will be just for you.". "Yay…", Riley weakly cheered. Soon enough, the doctor returned. "What's up, doc?", Revy asked. "Yeah, it's just what I expected…", Dr. Swaile sighed, "Riley has influenza.", he informed. "The flu.", Rock uttered. "She's going to need a lot of rest, plenty of fluids, and some medication to help with any aches she might get.", the doctor said. "What kinda medication?", Revy asked. "Tylenol, Advil, basically any antiviral drug would do. You can find them at CVS. ", the doctor replied, "Of course, she will have to stay home from school until she feels better, so I'll write her a note.". "I'll let her teacher know too.", Rock nodded. With all that said, Revy grabbed the now sleeping Riley and gently carried her as she and Rock bid the doctor farewell.
They then walked out of the clinic and began heading back home as a young couple walked in with the man having an arrow stabbed through his shoulder and the woman carrying a crossbow. "And you two must be Dylan and Yvonne.", Dr. Swaile greeted.
The Okajimas reached their house before Rock dashed off to the kitchen while Revy went and laid Riley down in bed before tucking her in and turning on the TV. Luckily, SpongeBob was on at the moment which put a smile on her half asleep daughter's face. "You just stay here, sweetie.", Revy softly said, "Your dad's gonna make ya breakfast in bed now.". "Okay…", Riley replied before focusing her attention on SpongeBob playing as her mother walked out of the room and went searching for any available medicine at their disposal in their bathroom cabinet. Much to her luck, there was an open pack of Tylenol…with only two pills left. "Shit.", Revy mumbled before searching for more medicine. Mucinex? Nothing. Advil? She already used them for every headache she got from work. DayQuil and NyQuil? They don't even have. Revy sighed before heading downstairs to the kitchen.
"Rock, we're outta medicine.", she announced. "I thought we had some Tylenol left.", Rock replied, making pancakes with spatula and pan in hand. "Yeah, like two pills left.", Revy retorted, "Is there a CVS close by or something?", she asked. "Yeah like five minutes away.", Rock answered before putting the pancakes on a plate and moving on to make scrambled eggs. "Did you talk to Riley's teacher?", Revy asked. "Yeah. Funny enough, he's got the flu too.", Rock said, "A substitute is teaching for the next few days.". "Huh…guess this flu's coming real hot this time of year.", Revy replied in a somewhat surprised tone, "Well anyway, I guess I'm off to buy some medicine.", she said heading out the door. "You're not having breakfast?", Rock asked. "I'll have it after comin' back.", Revy answered, "Keep cookin' while you're at it.", she added before grabbing her car keys and heading out to CVS.
Rock then went back to cooking the best breakfast he could for his sick daughter, he was aiming for something eaten from a 5-star restaurant. Actually, no, something that outright exceeds that! Thankfully the pancakes and eggs were cooked and scrambled the way she liked it, but the meal wouldn't be complete without some bacon and some chocolate milk to drink. Rock grabbed a pack out of the freezer and microwaved it until it was nice and crispy before gently putting the trio of bacon strips next to the eggs. The milk was then poured into a glass cup and mixed with chocolate powder mix before microwaving it for about a minute. Soon enough, breakfast was done with the cup of milk and plate of food placed on a tray with a fork and a napkin before Rock made sure to cut the pancakes, cover the pieces in syrup, and headed upstairs to Riley's room.
"Oh Riley, breakfast is served~!", Rock warmly proclaimed. "Pancakes!", Riley excitedly shouted before coughing a few times. Rock placed the tray on Riley's lap and sat on her toy chest to feel her forehead. She was still warm, but at least the fever had slightly gone down. "I cooked them just for you plus some eggs, bacon, and milk.", Rock smiled at her. Riley drank some of the milk, it brought her some relief on her otherwise congested throat. "Where's Mommy?", she asked. "She's getting you the medicine now.", Rock answered, "Why?". "I wanna watch SpongeBob with her…", Riley replied. "I mean, we can watch it together if you want.", Rock suggested. "But I want Mommy too.", Riley protested. "Well hopefully, she gets back soon so we can watch it, the three of us.", Rock said. Riley continued eating her breakfast at a slow pace, but from the glint in her eyes, her father could tell she was enjoying it.
Meanwhile, Revy made it to CVS and was searching for as much medicine as she could, Tylenol, Advil, anything that would help her angel recover. Suddenly though, she found a third option: Theraflu and she wasted no time grabbing it. She also grabbed some Tylenol and Advil anyway just in case before walking up to the counter which had an old man right in front of her.
"That will be $39.80, sir.", the cashier said. "What?", the old man asked, clearly his hearing has been failing him. "$39.80.", the cashier repeated. "Oh…I have $40 in my pocket.", the old man said, slowly raising two $20 bills from his wallet and handing it to the cashier. Revy folded her arms and rolled her eyes at how sluggish the other customer was paying what looked like his medication and some ointment. "Okay, here's your change sir.", the cashier said, handing over two dimes.
"Thank you, young man.", the old man replied, "Y'know you remind me of my grandson. He works at a Wal-Mart right by my house.". "Oh…that's nice.", the cashier awkwardly yet politely said at the old man's sudden comparison. "He's been working there since 2001, a month before that horrific tragedy in New York. It was a scary experience for us, especially now that his brother, my other grandson, got sent to the Middle East. God bless his soul, I hope he comes back soon.". Revy agitatedly groaned as the old man started telling the cashier basically his family's life story in his slow crusty voice with the cashier reluctantly having to listen to all of it.
"Hey, this is a pharmacy not a group therapy session!", Revy reprimanded him before pushing him aside, "How much for this?", she asked the cashier with a confrontational tone. "That will be $45.67", the cashier answered, to which Revy responded by immediately pulling out a $50 bill. "Keep the change.", she flatly said before walking away. "Hey! You don't push around your elders like that!", the old man shouted behind Revy's back, "Someone oughta put you in a mental hospital!". "WELL, SOMEONE SHOULD PUT YOU IN A BOX FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER, GRANDPA!", Revy screamed back while flipping him off before angrily getting inside her car and driving off; the old man was too stunned to even respond. Soon enough, she made it back home with all the medicine in hand and walked up to Riley's room again.
"So, how ya holdin' up?", Revy gently asked. "Daddy made pancakes and eggs and bacon and we watched SpongeBob.", Riley answered, still nearly drained but now with a full stomach. "That's awesome!", Revy enthusiastically replied, "I had to step out for a bit and get you your medicine. It'll help you get better faster.", she added, taking out a pill of Tylenol for her to take. "Daddy told me.", Riley said. "And SpongeBob? You still wanna watch it or change it to something else?", Revy asked. "I still wanna watch it.", Riley answered before suddenly sneezing and letting out a light groan. "Bless you.", Revy said as she grabbed some tissue for her to blow her nose in.
"You have something to drink with you?", she asked. Riley grabbed a cup of water which Rock provided for her at some point before her mother leaned closer to give her the pill. "Open up, Ahh…", Revy gently told her which Riley compiled by opening her mouth before being given the capsule. Riley then drank some water to help her swallow it.
Revy then sat on the toy chest as more reruns of SpongeBob were playing on Riley's TV before going to gently rub her fingers through Riley's hair. Both of them were quiet for a while before Riley suddenly let out a yawn and rubbed her heavy eyelids. "Alright, guess it's now naptime for you.", Revy said as she turned off the TV. Riley could only make a slight groan as her eyes closed and drowsiness settled in from a combination of the Tylenol and the delicious breakfast she just had. Revy took this as her sign to leave the room, but Riley spoke up.
"Mommy…", she tiredly mumbled, stopping Revy in her tracks. "Yeah?", Revy asked. "Can you tell me a story?", Riley asked. "A…a story…", Revy hesitantly repeated, "I think that's more your dad's thing than-". "Please.", Riley interrupted, which her mother complied to. "Okay Riley, a story….", Revy nodded before taking a deep breath and began pondering what to say, "Once upon a time-". Before Revy could even begin what she came up with, Riley had fallen completely asleep. She caressed her hair again before leaning in to give her a kiss, but ultimately stopped herself. As much as she'd want to give her daughter a small kiss on the forehead, Revy knew she would get herself sick in the process. So instead she just tucked her in extra tight then got up and left the room.
Revy then went to the kitchen where she walked in on her husband thoroughly washing his hands and some left overs of scrambled eggs still in the pan. "Hey honey, how was CVS?", Rock asked. "Fine, gave Riley some Tylenol and watched a bit of SpongeBob with her.", Revy answered before going to wash her hands as well. "Oh yeah, she said she wanted to watch it with you.", Rock replied. "Some old guy in front of me was also tellin' his fucking life story at the cashier so I had to shut him up too.", Revy added. Rock sighed, "Did you threaten him?". "No, I just told him to knock it off.", Revy said, rolling her eyes before grabbing the remaining eggs and putting them on her plate.
"So if Mr. Bowen is sick with the flu and a substitute is taking over the next couple days, do we give the note to the substitute then?", Revy asked with eggs in her mouth. "I guess so.", Rock shrugged, "Maybe I'll just hand it in the school office just in case.". "He tell ya the sub's name?", Revy further asked. "Think it was Mrs. Hendrikse, why?", Rock replied. "Just wondering. You're always deep in the school gossip.", Revy said, eating another mouthful of eggs. "Hey, it's important to keep tabs on places associated with us.", Rock explained. "Fair enough.", Revy shrugged before eating more eggs. Rock went and poured some water from a glass cup he had before sitting back down.
Revy's eyes looked down as she finished the remainder of her eggs and she sighed. "I really hope Riley recovers from this flu soon…", she muttered. "Yeah I'm not gonna lie, it's disheartening seeing her sick.", Rock nodded in agreement, "Especially this bad.". "Y'know before she fell asleep, she asked me to tell her a story.", Revy commented. "What was it about?", Rock curiously asked. "She knocked out before I could tell her.", Revy answered. "You can always tell me if you want.", Rock said, rubbing his wife's hand. "Feel if I did, I'll forget it later.", Revy replied. "If anything when she wakes up, I can help you make it up as you go along.", Rock offered. "Nah, I wanna try telling it on my own.", Revy declined.
"I should probably think of what to cook for her lunch and dinner…", Rock said, "Maybe a sandwich with some mac and cheese for lunch?". "If you're makin' mac and cheese for her, actually make it.", Revy firmly ordered, "None of that store brand Kraft Mac and Cheese bullshit.". "Yeah, I know.", Rock smiled and nodded, "All of Riley's meals for this flu are gonna be the best homemade meals she'll ever eat.". "Attaboy.", Revy nodded in approval.
"What else are you going to do, Revy?", Rock asked. "Try and keep her company. Help her whenever she needs it.", Revy answered. "Remember to be careful and wash your hands frequently especially after leaving her room.", Rock reminded her. "No worries, I know.", Revy assured, "Besides I ain't scared of germs. Germs are scared of me.". "Come to think about it, I don't think I've ever seen you get sick.", Rock pointed out. "Whenever I felt sick back in Roanapur, I just took a few pills and downed 'em with a drink.", Revy admitted. "That's not exactly healthy...", Rock flatly replied. "Hey when ya live in a place where it's kill or be killed, healthy ways of overcoming sickness is the least of your worries.", Revy shrugged, "Obviously now, that's not the case anymore.". "Yeah for the better.", Rock said.
With that said, it wasn't even noon and Rock and Revy were already ready for the day with nothing to do but pamper and dote on their sick daughter who was still sleeping when they checked on her. This is perhaps the most inactive Riley has ever been in years. Rock and Revy mainly sat in their room to watch TV for hours on end, the latter cuddling up to the former the whole time. Soon enough though, Rock checked the time. "It's 1 PM. We should start having lunch now.", he suggested. "I'll go wake Riley up, you get cooking the Mac and Cheese.", Revy replied before the two went out of their room and split ways.
"Hey Riley sweetie~", Revy greeted her upon entering her room, "Your dad's gonna make Mac and Cheese now so-". Suddenly, Revy's playful demeanor came to a halt as she gasped at the state her daughter was in. She was awake, but is now noticeably paler and sweating a lot while groaning and clenching her stomach in pain. Revy immediately rushed to her side. "Riley, wha-what's wrong?", Revy worriedly asked before feeling her forehead. She was somehow cold yet warm at the same time. "My tummy hurts…", Riley whimpered.
"What do you mean your tummy hurts?", Revy asked, trying to remain calm to comfort her but also visibly starting to panic at the same time. "I don't know, it just hurts…", Riley whined as she groaned again. Revy silently stood as she pondered on what suddenly caused Riley's stomach to start hurting. Was it the breakfast? The Tylenol? Some combination of both? Something must've caused it! "Okay…uh…I'll be getting you something to help with your tummy.", Revy worriedly said, "And then if you're hungry, we'll eat the Mac and Cheese-", before Revy could finish what she was saying, Riley suddenly threw up on her bedroom floor which took her mother off guard before throwing up a second time and threw a congested coughing fit.
Without saying a word, Revy immediately wiped Riley's mouth of her remaining vomit and carried her downstairs rushing as fast as she could towards Rock. "Rock! Rock!", Revy frantically called out to him. "R-Revy?", Rock replied upon seeing his panic stricken wife carrying their ailing daughter as he was just about to get a box of macaroni out of the pantry, "Woah Revy, what's wrong?! What happened?!", he worriedly asked. "Riley just threw up twice on the floor! I-…I felt her, she's like warm and cold at the same time and-...Point is I think she's getting worse and we have to take her to the hospital now !", Revy answered whilst hyperventilating, prompting Rock to firmly yet comfortingly clutch her shoulders.
"Revy…Revy…look at me.", Rock soothingly said which Revy silently did but still had a very panicked expression on her face, "Breathe…", he gently told her to which she responded by taking a few deep breaths. "Everything's gonna be okay.", Rock tried to assure her. "You don't know that!", Revy protested with gritted teeth and a mix of worry and hostility in her voice. "Back when I had the flu as a kid, I threw up too. A lot. And I got those chilly fevers.", Rock revealed, "It's a symptom that comes with it, happens especially to kids who get it.". Revy anxiously sneered at Rock, she wants to believe she's just overreacting but on the other hand, that maternal instinct once thought nonexistent is going into near overdrive just by glancing at her sickly child. "If the vomiting or the fever gets worse, we'll call the doctor and take Riley to the hospital.", Rock said.
Suddenly, Riley's skin got some color back but still had the congested cough which Revy put her down after a few rough coughs. Rock checked her forehead and saw she was still warm. "I'm thirsty…", Riley muttered, to which Rock responded by grabbing a glass and pouring her some water while Revy knelt down to her level. "A-are you okay, Riley?", she concernedly asked, "Does your tummy still hurt?". "It hurt for a little bit then it went away…", Riley answered to which Revy breathed a sigh of relief. "Here you go, sweetie. Some water.", her father said before Riley grabbed the cup and drank it quickly. "Thanks Daddy…", Riley said before putting the cup on the table. "Of course, sweetie.", Rock responded, "Maybe Mac and Cheese is too heavy right now. How does chicken soup sound?", he suggested.
"I want soup.", Riley nodded. "Revy, you want some too?", Rock asked. "Yeah…sure.", she answered, almost despondently. "Make sure to wash your hands first.", Rock nodded before he grabbed three bowls to make the soup and Revy went to wash her hands once again. It took a while to make, but it was nice and warm by the time it was done. "Okay, come and get it!", Rock called out to his wife and daughter. Revy came down with Riley who had a blanket draped around her shoulders for warmth before they sat down. "It might be hot so be sure to blow first.", Rock warned. Revy took note and blew on her spoonful of soup before eating it. Riley though just ate a spoonful without adhering to her father's warning and mildly flinched before swallowing. "It's too hot!", Riley complained. "That's why I said blow on it first.", Rock replied which she complied and did so before eating another spoonful.
Revy's eyes couldn't help but glance at her daughter the whole time as they continued eating their soup, her nerves were still at some unease after having witnessed Riley throw up in front of her but thankfully she showed no signs of nausea during their meal. Soon enough, the three Okajimas were finished with their food with Rock taking the dishes to wash and Revy taking Riley back to her room and giving her an additional Tylenol. Riley also watched as her mother grabbed some wipes and cleaned the vomit off the floor. "I'm sorry for throwing up, Mommy…", Riley muttered, making Revy look up. "No no no, ya don't need to say sorry for that.", Revy reassured with a frown, "Your tummy wasn't feeling well at the moment, you can't control what your body does to you.".
"How long does it take for me to feel better?", Riley sulkingly asked with a nasally voice before suddenly sneezing. "I dunno, but it shouldn't be too long.", Revy answered while giving Riley another tissue to blow her nose into. "Also when you sneeze, be sure to cover your nose with your elbow. Like this.", she advised before demonstrating by pretending to sneeze while covering her nose with her elbow. "Okay…", Riley nodded. Revy then sat down on the toy chest again and turned on the TV. "Y'know you fell asleep before I could tell you the story I came up with. Ya still wanna hear it?", she offered. "In a little bit.", Riley answered, "I want water.". "Kay, I'll get you some then.", Revy said, getting up and leaving to get another glass of cold water. Hearing Riley loudly cough repeatedly through her bedroom door made Revy make haste to the kitchen even more before she grabbed another cup and filled it to the brim with water.
On the way back, Revy ran into Rock coming out of Riley's room with a collection of used tissues. "Oh Revy-", Rock called out, accidentally startling her into spilling some of the water. "Rock, what the hell?!", Revy snapped at him. "What?", he annoyedly asked. "What do you mean 'what'?!", Revy aggravatedly asked, "You made me spill Riley's water!". "Okay, sorry! I was just checking on her again, no need to attack me over it.", Rock responded with an irritated tone to his wife's attitude. Revy simply grimaced with a deathly stare, unable to think of what to say next but Rock managed to remain calm. "Y'know today, you've been really on edge.", Rock commented. "Gee, ya think so?", Revy sarcastically asked with an agitated tone.
"Look I get you're worried about Riley being sick, so am I.", Rock said, "B-but like….she's not dying from like cancer or anything-". "Hey, don't you EVER put that out there!", Revy interrupted with an enraged shout, silencing her husband for a brief moment. "My point is, Revy…", Rock calmly continued, "She just has the flu. Nothing more, nothing less. I know it hurts to even look at her not be her usual self and feel her body ache and cough, but…she's going to get through this. Chances are, she'll be better before the week even ends.". Revy stayed silent and calmed down as Rock continued his way to put the used tissue into the bathroom garbage and washed his hands again.
Revy sighed, "I don't think I've ever been this stressed over someone else in my life…". "Yeah, I don't think you ever got this way whenever I got myself in trouble back in Roanapur.", Rock agreed. "I guess it's cuz as much of a dumbass you were back then, you're a grown man. Plus you chose to get in that trouble a lotta the time.", Revy pointed out. "Yeah, that's true.", Rock admitted.
"With Riley though…she's just a kid. More innocent than either of us could ever be.", Revy said, "And she sure as hell didn't choose to get sick.". "Well again, she's our daughter.", Rock said, "Any decent parent should be worried about their kid's wellbeing especially when they're sick. Though I will say, most mothers don't just threaten the receptionist when the doctor's taking too long to call them in or…go on a rampage in the department store when they lose sight of their kid for more than a couple minutes.". "Well, newsflash: I ain't most moms. I ain't ever gonna be most moms.", Revy stated while pointing at herself, "You knew exactly what you signed up for when you knocked me up.", she added now pointing directly at her husband. "Well…you got me there.", Rock said semi-playfully raising his hands up. Revy couldn't help but lightly smirk at Rock's gesture before grabbing Riley's cup of water.
"Love ya, Rocky Baby…", Revy said, "And…sorry for being such a fuckin' nervous wreck.". "I love you too, darling.", Rock replied, "And don't worry, Riley's gonna be okay. We'll make sure of it.", he assured before kissing Revy on the forehead. With that said, Revy made her way back to Riley's room while Rock cleaned the water spilled on the floor. "Okay sweetie, one cup of water.", Revy said before handing Riley the cup and sitting back on the toy chest. "Did something happen? I heard you and Daddy yelling.", Riley innocently asked. "We just…had a little talk. Nothin' to worry about.", Revy hesitantly answered. Riley drank some of her water until the cup was half empty before putting it aside. "Ready for Afternoon Storytime?", Revy asked which Riley nodded to before she turned off the TV. Revy then took a deep breath as she began to tell the story.
"Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived in a big city.", Revy said, "But the city and everyone in it…was very mean to her for…no reason at all it seemed.". Riley looked over at her mother with an intrigued expression. "So the girl had to learn how to be tough and get tough she did.", Revy narrated, "Everyone who was once mean to that girl ran off scared, nobody wanted to mess with her anymore!", she said with a smirking grin on her face before it faded. "But while the girl got tougher, she also got angrier. She didn't trust anyone and anyone who tried talking to her got their butt kicked.", Revy explained. "So how did she get any friends then?", Riley asked. "We'll get there.", Revy answered.
"Anyway, the girl got sick of living in the city and decided to join some sailors and go around the world with them.", Revy continued, "She didn't exactly become friends with the sailors at first but…she got around to at least kinda like them.". "And she's got friends now, right?", Riley asked. "Eh… She still felt alone even if she didn't want to say it.", Revy answered. "What's gonna make her feel not alone then?", Riley asked. "That's where we're headin' to.", Revy explained as Riley drank more of her water. "At some point in their sailing of the seven seas, the girl and the sailors ran into a boy. The boy seemed pretty normal compared to the tough lookin' sailors and was kinda scared of them at first, but he was very nice and didn't want any trouble.", Revy orated. "And they killed him!", Riley excitedly shouted before coughing a few times. "No, no, they didn't kill him.", Revy slightly chuckled, "He thought they might though.".
"So what happens then?", Riley asked. "Well…turns out the boy wanted to travel the world too but nobody would let him on their boat.", Revy answered. "The girl thought the boy was weird for how nice he was, but for one reason or another…she took him in without a second thought. Even if… the other sailors were kinda confused. The girl, being tough as nails, also scared the boy a bit but he still treated her better than anyone did in the big city or any of the nasty sailors she met around the world.", Revy orated, "But because the girl didn't want to look weak and explain why she in particular took the boy, she told him again and again and again to just… shut up and stop asking questions before they went travelling again.".
"I don't get it. Why's the girl being mean to him if he just wants to talk to her?", Riley asked in a confused manner. "Well like I said, the city has been mean to the girl all her life so she thought she had to be mean right back. The boy didn't know, she wouldn't tell him that.", Revy explained before going back to the story.
"At some point, the boy stopped talking to the girl and talked to the other sailors because…he was getting tired of being told to shut up all the time. The girl didn't like that he stopped being with her though and tried to ask why he was ignoring her. And finally, the boy put his foot down and said 'I tried talking to you so many times but you always tell me to shut up! I'm sick of it!'. The girl didn't like his answer. He wasn't wrong, but he yelled at her so she yelled right back at him.", Revy narrated with a hint of reminiscence in her voice. "Then they fight!", Riley enthusiastically guessed. "Well…yeah, they did fight.", Revy replied, "But it wasn't so much punching or kicking, but there was a lotta yelling mean things from both of them. Eventually, the captain had enough of their fighting and had to stop them.".
"And he threw them into the ocean?", Riley asked. "No…", Revy slightly snickered, "The captain didn't like how much the boy and the girl were yelling, it was late at night and everybody was sleeping so he grounded them!". "I thought only kids get grounded. Grownups do too?", Riley asked. "Yep.", Revy promptly answered, "While they were grounded, the girl finally started to talk to the boy a little. She said she was sorry for being mean to him and told him the real reason why she brought him in. Turns out all she wanted from the boy…was for him to be her friend.". "And they became friends, right?", Riley asked. "Mhm.", Revy nodded. "He also said sorry for all the mean things he said to her during their fight. From there, the girl, the boy, and all the other sailors continued their adventures around the world and everyone lived happily ever after. The End!", Revy said.
"That was a great story, Mommy!", Riley complimented, "Did anything else happen like the boy and girl kissing or anything?". "I dunno.", Revy shrugged, "Not all boys and girls have to end up kissing in the end. If you wanna sequel, feel free to make one.". Riley drank more of her water until it was empty before handing the cup back to Revy. "Is there…is there anything else ya need?", Revy asked. "Not now, no.", Riley shook her head. "Okay, but…if you need anything or you're starting to feel warm or your tummy starts hurting again, I need you to tell me or your dad. Got it?", Revy said. "Uh huh.", Riley nodded. Revy smiled at her daughter once more, making Riley smile back. "I love you, Mommy.", Riley declared. "I love you too, Riley.", Revy softly replied before making her way out of her room.
She then went to find Rock who was in his office and on the computer. "Whatcha surfin' the web for?", Revy asked. "I found out getting a humidifier can reduce flu symptoms.", Rock answered, "Specifically with congestion so she won't cough so much.". "Well, let's go get one then.", Revy commanded. "Already taken care of, I ordered one off Amazon with Prime membership.", Rock announced with a smile, "Should get here in a day or two.". "Oh shit, for real?", Revy asked. "Yeah.", Rock nodded, "We'll put it on Riley's dresser and hopefully, we can see some results.". "Yeah, I hope so too.", Revy replied. "Also found a tutorial of how to use one on this video website YouTube.", Rock added as he switched to the tab displaying the humidifier tutorial. "Huh, thought YouTube was just for dumb viral videos or something.", Revy commented as Rock played the video.
The tutorial was about two minutes long and it didn't have any commentary. Instead, it had captions explaining the instructions with a video demonstration and a song playing in the background that goes by 'Numa Numa' much to Rock and Revy's confusion as they briefly exchanged glances at each other. The video soon ended. "Well, that was…something. But at least we know what to do now.", Rock commented. "Yeah, thanks ReiHeroGX01'…whoever the hell you are.", Revy said. "There's also a video in the suggestion tab on how to use an M-40 for some reason.", Rock observed. Revy lightly smirked, "Maybe I oughta check that user out in my free time later.", she said. "It's by some user named…Dean's Beans?", Rock said with slight confusion. "Eh, I'll find it either way.", Revy shrugged off before Rock closed the Internet and they both went to the couch for some TV time.
"Also got to tell Riley my story.", Revy informed as she turned on the TV. "Oh nice, did she like it?", Rock asked. "Yeah, she did.", Revy nodded, "I also told her if she gets another stomachache or starts to feel really bad to let us know.". "That's good.", Rock responded, "Hopefully I can make the Mac and Cheese for dinner.". "Yeah…", Revy said leaning onto her husband's shoulder with Rock wrapping an arm around his wife. Thankfully by the time dinner rolled around, Riley didn't feel the need to vomit again and she didn't get any chilly fevers; all she asked from her parents at most was refills of water. She also ate her macaroni and cheese with no issue albeit at a slower pace than usual.
The rest of the week went by just as slowly as Riley's recovery. Some days, she felt better. Some days, she felt worse. Rock, being the one to work from home, had more time to check on his daughter's health and provide her with medicine or food when needed. Revy also made sure she could get earlier shifts so she could come home early to check on her. The humidifier also arrived at some point which Rock installed in Riley's room, hoping that at least a small difference could be made. Sure enough, it did as the coughing did decrease and while not as active as she is normally, Riley's energy levels have been getting better with each passing day.
Eventually, a followup appointment with the doctor was made just to ensure Riley was now back in full health. "Okay good news for today: I can safely say Riley's now 100% flu-free!", Dr. Swaile happily announced. "Yay! I'm cured!", Riley excitedly shouted. "Yeah, you did it!", Revy playfully replied, "Gimme five!", she said, raising her palm out for a hi-five which Riley immediately went for. "Thank you so much, Dr. Swaile.", Rock smiled and shook the doctor's hand. "It's all part of the job, Mr. Okajima.", Dr. Swaile nodded and smiled back, "Now of course, if you all want to avoid getting sick, I'd advise frequently washing your hands, make sure your vaccinations - especially flu shots - are up to date, and of course avoid people who are sick as much as you can.".
"Yeah, we got it Doc.", Revy said. "Alright with all that said, you three are free to go.", Dr. Swaile replied. The Okajimas bid the doctor farewell before walking out of the clinic and sat down in the car. "Alright, let's go get some lunch now.", Rock said as he turned on the ignition. "I want McDonald's!", Riley blurted out. "Riley, don't you think it's too early for-", Rock was about to ask only to get interrupted. "C'mon, Rock. She's earned it.", Revy chimed in, "Besides, the pancakes from there are good.". "Okay, McDonald's it is then.", Rock shrugged with a smile before suddenly feeling an itch in his nose and then letting out a loud sneeze into his elbow.
"Daddy's getting sick!", Riley yelled and pointed at him. "Uh oh, we better go back inside to check on him!", Revy teasingly added. "I'm okay, it's just the steering wheel's a bit dusty.", Rock said, smiling while rolling his eyes, "Anyway, let's go.". With that all said, Rock drove the car away to the closest McDonald's in the area. Rather than going through the drive-thru, the Okajimas decided to eat inside the restaurant with each one getting their fair share of Hotcake meals.
Even though it was a rough week for the three of them, Riley especially, they managed to pull through like always. Thankfully, there also wasn't much schoolwork Riley had missed when she returned with her parents helping her as always. As for Rock and Revy, they decided to further explore what YouTube had to offer and to say it was quite the bizarre experience would be an understatement.
Benny would probably become an asset in the inevitable discussion towards Riley's Internet access.