Gina woke up a few minutes after six and asked for water. Weak and hungry, she tried to finish a bowl of chicken macaroni soup Matt had prepared just for her. She only managed to consume half of it.After a quick trip to the bathroom, she was back in bed and fell asleep again. Emmy was relieved. For the first time, Gina no longer had chills. She didn’t moan or whine or toss in bed like she did before she woke up.It was only eight but the house was already silent. Jean fell asleep on the couch while watching a movie with her dad. Matt took her to her room. Matt offered to look after the eldest daughter but Emmy declined. Matt decided to retire early.Emmy was left sitting by Gina’s bed once more. A tray containing dirty dishes, both from Gina’s meal and hers, lay by the foot of the bed towards the door.Her relief at the improvement in Gina’s condition, plus the meal Matt made, made her relax. She slumped on the chair that she had

Emmy stirred from her short evening nap. Her first thought was to get up and look around. With Gina’s arm draped on her legs however, she opted not to. Her daughter needed the rest and Emmy did not want to wake her up just yet.She bent her neck from side to side, releasing the tension. She exhaled audibly with each pop. Emmy briefly considered sliding down and just proceed to sleep. A few moments spent sitting and considering the option and Emmy abandoned the idea.How long was I out? She asked, raising her gaze towards the wall.The digital clock with its pink lights proudly answered her question. Thirteen minutes past nine. Emmy inhaled and exhaled through her mouth loudly. A shiver ran down her spine.She did not have the chance to consider what it was or what it meant. As soon as she shook herself out of that macabre dream, Gina woke up. Emmy offered to get her something to drink or eat to warm her up but when Gina declined, Emmy went

The lights around the outside of the house conceded to the slowly brightening sky that marked the end of dawn. Jim woke himself up when his head swayed too far to the left. He fell asleep on the seat that Emmy occupied the night before.Contrary to her declaration, Jean was able to fall asleep quickly as soon as she lay done on a stack of blankets that Matt prepared for her, to the left of the chair. Matt got up and looked out the window. There was a thin mist hovering a few inches above ground. The rain had stopped.Sue woke up some time during the night and excused herself saying she needed a change of clothes. When she failed to return, Matt followed her to their room where he found her sleeping on her side on the edge of the bed. She did not wake up when Matt repositioned her and placed a blanket over. He left her to have a proper rest but kept the lights on and the door open.The room’s floor was filled with scattered clothes and medical supplies. Mat

She tried to make excuses for it. She tried to adopt his husband’s attitude as she bathed her daughter. She failed. So, Emmy tried to find a way to ask her questions without sounding off an alarm or triggering any sort of panic, or an onslaught of questions, from Jean. After bathing her, Emmy pretended that she needed help cleaning up Gina’s room. Jean liked it. The little girl listened and observed patiently as her mom taught her how to fold clothes. When it was Jean’s turn, Emmy started asking the question. “Honey, do you remember how late or early it was when you went to bed?” “I don’t know,” the girl shrugged, “but it was night already.” “After dinner?” “Yeah. Daddy and I, we watched TV. I think I fell asleep.” “You remember anything else?” “Uh uhm.” The girl shook her head. “Do you remember maybe waking up and going to for a drink or needing to pee?” The little girl shook her head again. Emmy could see that

They had supper at Gina’s room that night. It was almost entirely silent except for Matt trying to make light of things. His jokes and quips mostly fell flat. Emmy just beamed him a weak smile now and then. Gina did the same as well. Only Jean seemed to be into it, giggling at the silly bits. Emmy called him downstairs once supper was over.“We should sleep together, in Gina’s room.” She said.Matt saw the seriousness in her expression and offered no objections.“Sure hon. I’ll just watch something with Jean until she’s tired. Then, we’ll go up.”Emmy nodded to him, placing a hand on his chest and went up. Matt put the TV on and called Jean down. He washed the dishes and cleaned the counter then joined her. It was a funny show. Although it was not for kids, the laugh tracks helped. She giggled and laughed along as the program progressed. Whether she understood the jokes or not, Matt had no idea.Read more