Tough & Gentle Care

[aggedy_ann]

Alex takes care of Tim when he gets pretty sick.   
 

CW for mentions of alcoholism 

 

 Tim shifted on the bed, pulling the pillow over his head as he heard Alex knock at the door of his small studio apartment.   He tried to ignore the persistent knock until he heard a key in the lock, then sat up and made his way to the living area.   Alex had said he’d stop by tonight to discuss a new project; Tim, who’d been fighting a cold, just wanted to sleep.

 

“‘Rrhhisshoo!  HhuhhRisshoo!”  Perfectly timed sneezes marked Alex’s entrance to the apartment.   

 

“Bless you.  You’ve still got that…”. He switched on the overhead light and took a look at Tim.  “I don’t think this is just a cold.”  He finished, ignoring Tim’s second set of sneezes as his photic reflex kicked it.

 

Tim released several wheezy coughs into his fist, then walked into the kitchen for a glass of water.   “I’m fine.”  Came his hoarse, congested response.

 

“Bill said he sent you home early today.”  Alex took a seat at the kitchen table. 

 

Shivering, Tim sat across from him.  “Checking up on me?”

 

“He called me.  He was concerned.”  He took in Tim’s pale skin, deep black circles under his eyes, the sheen of sweat across his brow.  “Where’s your thermometer?”

 

He sighed at Tim’s blank look.  “Never mind.  They’ll get your temp in urgent care.”  He rubbed his nose and glared down at Tim’s cat, weaving his way around his legs.   “Let’s go.”  He herded Tim into his car, to the nearest urgent care.

 

One chest x-ray and one nebulizer treatment later, Tim officially had pneumonia, and Alex was driving him to the pharmacy.   “You gotta come in,” he lectured to Tim’s protests.  “You have to get your meds.  I’ll get everything else while you do, ok.”

 

Tim dragged himself to the pharmacy counter for his antibiotic, inhaler and steroids.  Alex went through, grabbing tissues, cold meds, orange juice and a few cans of soup, having seen Tim’s meager food stores.   He’d go grocery shopping tomorrow, but this would get food into Tim tonight.   

 

He saw Tim stumble as he headed back to the car and rushed to catch up with him and steady him.   “You ok?”  He asked for the fifth time that evening.  

 

Tim nodded.  “Coughing too much.”

 

Alex helped him into the car.  “Your breathing sucks.  Inhaler.”  He fished it out of the paper bag for Tim and waited for the other man to take the first hit.  

 

Helping him back up the stairs at his apartment, Alex sighed.  “How’d you get this sick anyway?  You kept telling me it was just a cold.”

 

Tim shrugged, fumbling with his keys and unlocking the door.   “It was. Then, it wasn’t.”   

 

Alex started putting groceries away.  “It’s been over a week.  You didn’t think you needed a doctor?  I would have gone with you.  Bill would have…”

 

“I was gonna call…” Tim protested, reaching for one of the boxes of tissues Alex had unpacked.  “I fell asleep.”  

 

Alex shoved a glass of orange juice at him.  “Take your antibiotic.  Start your steroid in the morning.”  He opened a can of soup and dumped it in a microwaveable bowl.   “Dinner in 3.   Have you even been eating other than Chinese takeout?”  He gestured to the containers and chopsticks.

 

“Orange juice.”  Tim gestured to his recycling bin.

 

Alex sighed.   

Tim slumped in a chair, hands over his face.   “HuhhRuhhshoo! Ruhhshoo! Uhhrshehh, huhhRuhhsheshh!”

“Bless you.” Alex opened the box of tissues Tim had been holding a minute earlier and offered them to him.

“Thanks.” Tim gave his nose a loud honk, the took the bowl of soup Alex offered.

“Eat, shower, bed.” 

“I’d rather just go to bed.”

“You’ll-“ Alex paused, grabbing for a tissue. “H’Chupt. You’ll sleep better. And looking at your hair, you need one.” He shooed the cat, lurking around his ankles away. 

Tim picked at the soup under Alex’s watchful eye until he had eaten enough to satisfy him. He slowly made his way to the shower, cranking it up as hot as it would go. Once in, he admitted Alex was right, this did feel better, it was loosening his congestion. And letting loose the sneezing. Drying off, he grabbed a handful of toilet paper and blew his nose three, four, five times, then “hihhyehhshooo, ehhhshihh…” And he started over. 

Finally emerging from the bathroom, he heard a trio of sneezes from Alex in the kitchen, looked to see Alex cleaning his kitchen and felt a pang of guilt. Alex was here, making sure he got to bed ok, despite being allergic to Missy. He might be brusque, but…Tim hadn’t been taking care of himself. 

Alex poked his head out of the kitchen. “Going to bed?” At Tim’s nod, “collect your cat.” Biting back a cough, Tim picked up Missy and headed to bed with her. “Can you have cold medicine?” Alex asked, tossing a box at him.

“No nyquil?” Tim asked.

“Out of capsules.”

“Liquid?”

“Is how you relapsed before. I’ll find you some capsules tomorrow.”

Tim nodded, heading for his bed. He flopped down, cat curling in next to him, and curling around the tissues himself. He picked up his phone, called Bill, told him what was going on, that he wouldn’t be in tomorrow or Friday. Bill just told him to keep him in the loop, call if he needed anything. And Tim lay there, sniffling and sneezing until he fell asleep.

He awoke an hour or so later with a set of sneezes, used his last tissue and made his way to the kitchen 

Alex was on the phone. “What do you need?” He asked, interrupting his call.

“Tissues.“ Tim mumbled. “‘M out.”

Alex slid a box over to him. “I’ll be on the couch tonight if you need anything.” He informed Tim, tone in his voice leaving no room for debate.

Tim heard him go back to the call as he walked away.

“Yeah, I’m staying…Yeah, I know…No, Bill, you’ve got work in the morning, I don’t. I’ve got this. Yeah, he’s pretty sick…hehhChuphh…sorry to interrupt…I’ll never deny that. I’ll be ok for one night I just…I wonder how well he’s taking care of himself, you know. That’s what he says…good to hear it from you. But is he holding the rest of his life together? He’s testing clean. But…all he’d been eating was Chinese takeout…no food in the fridge. Ok, he says he is. Maybe.  Maybe it is just being this sick.  I don’t think he’s had more than a slight cold.  I don’t think he’s had to deal with that sober. I just…I feel more comfortable being here. HeyyChuhh…well, mentally anyway. Yeah, we’ll talk tomorrow.”

Tim curled up, facing the wall. They didn’t trust him. Dammit! He’d been doing everything right before this cold came along and knocked him for a loop. Now he had to prove himself all over again.  Choking back tears, he finally managed to fall asleep.  
 

He was up early the following morning, head pounding and feeling like it was full of cement.  He’d been due for more cold medicine two hours ago, and he was cursing himself for not setting an alarm to remind himself.  Maybe Alex was right; maybe he needed help.

“HihhYyihhtzzschoo, Yyihhschoo!”  Two loud sneezes preceded his entry into the kitchen, and he felt the sludge in his head begin to shift forward.  “Yyiihschahhh, hiihhyiihhschescchh!”

“Bless you.” Alex looked up from his cup of coffee and phone.   He passed Tim the box of tissues he had next to him and judging by the pile of crumpled tissues next to him, was becoming fast friends with.  He grimaced at Tim’s harsh, consistent blows.   

After Tim had managed to slightly clear his head, he walked to the fridge, poured a glass of orange juice and pointedly, took his cold medicine, antibiotic, and steroid.  

“Still feeling pretty rough?”  Tim nodded, but Alex didn’t notice as he was busy grabbing for the tissues.  “EhhChuhh…HehhChushhh..ChuhhShehhh!”

 

“Bless you.  I didn’t set an alarm for the cold medicine.” Tim admitted.  “I could have used it a few hours ago.  You doing alright?”

“Missy decided to join me on the couch a couple hours ago.” Alex sighed. Tim groaned.  “Surprised I didn’t wake you.  I woke up every time you sneezed last night.  I know mine aren’t as loud but this place is small.”

“You’re probably ready to go home.”

Alex shook his head.  “I’ll grab my allergy pills when I run home for clothes.”  To Tim’s confused look, “I’m staying.  At least a few days.”

“You really don’t have to.” Tim coughed. “I got this.” He noticed the slight wheeze in his breathing and prayed Alex didn’t.

Luck was not on his side.  “Did you use your inhaler this morning?”

Tim shook his head, heading for his bed to grab it.  Using it, he returned to Alex.  “I can take care of myself.” He insisted.

“You’re not.” Alex’s tone was blunt.

“I can.  I was.”  He crossed over to the cabinet and pulled out a bowl and cereal.   He held up the box in offering to Alex.   Alex nodded, and Tim grabbed a second bowl.   He slid a bowl across to Alex, setting the cereal on the table, then swinging open the fridge for milk.  He sat across from his friend at the beat up table he’d found at a secondhand shop when he’d found this place.  Alex had offered to set him up with furniture when he hit six months sobriety…he’d never made it that far before, but aside from a mattress and bedding, he’d refused; insisting to do it all on his own.   Now at a year…Alex was apparently convinced he was losing it all.

“You wanna make me a grocery list?”

“I can go grocery shopping.”  Tim protested.  “I’m not helpless.”

“Looks like you haven-chuhh haven’t been.”

“I went grocery shopping.  I got sick.  I ran out of food.  By that time, I barely had the energy for work and meetings. It’s seriously only been a couple days.”

Alex frowned.

“Really.”  Tim paused, crossing an arm in front of his face, waiting.  “Heyyy-YehhtSchoo, YehhtSchoo, yhiihtschissshh, hhuhhEhhddShoo!”  He sniffed, running a tissue under his nose.  “I was gonna call Bill last night anyway.  Ask him if I could have today off to rest, to get groceries, clean up a little around here.”

 

“And you didn’t because?”

“You got here first.  Took me to be seen.”

Alex nodded.  “Fair.”  He buried his head in his sleeve and exploded with a powerful “heyChushShoo!”

“Bless you.  Now, grocery shopping, I wouldn’t say no to a ride.  Easier than trying to carry everything on my bike.”  He coughed roughly.  “Easier than trying to ride my bike right now.” He admitted.

Alex grabbed the thermometer he had purchased from the pharmacy bag.  “No fever, and you can go.”  He stuck the thermometer in Tim’s ear.  “99.  Not technically a fever.  So, I guess you’re going.  You sure you’re up to it?   I don’t want you passing out in the grocery store.”  He silently added the ‘again,’ although this would be for a much different, non self-inflicted reason.   

“I’m sure.”

“Go change.  Make your list.”

Tim changed into clean sweats and a hoodie, then sat down with Alex to make a list.  Once the grocery list was to Alex’s satisfaction, Alex led Tim to his car.   Ignoring Tim’s 6”2’ frame  resting against the door, he drove first to his house.   Pulling in the driveway, he looked at Tim, head slumped against the window.  “I’ll be 10 minutes.   Did you want to come in?”

Tim shook his head.  “Wait here.”

“Suit yourself.  I just need to grab clothes, allergy pills; fix myself up.”

“Take your time.”  Tim mumbled.

Alex frowned, heading into the house.  Tim had been so insistent he go grocery shopping.  Now he wondered if he’d been doing it to prove a point.   Whatever the reason was, he just hoped Tim had enough gas in the tank to make it through the outing.   

After an allergy pill and time with a toothbrush and a comb, he finished throwing clothes into an overnight bag, then headed back to the car.  Tim, predictably, was sneezing as he threw his bag in the backseat.  “Bless you.”  He slipped in and started the car.   “Ready for groceries?”   His only answer was several wet noseblows from Tim.   

15 minutes later, they were parked in front of the grocery store near Tim’s apartment.  “Ready?”  Alex asked.

Tim shook his head, not moving.   

“Run out of steam?”

Tim raised his crumpled tissues.  “”EhhgSchoo, huuhhyyehhgscheshhh!”  He nodded, wiping his nose.  “I thought I could.”  He admitted in a hoarse, stuffed up voice.   

“And now?”

“Not sure.  I…the drive to your house…the tired hit me.  I’m wide awake, but my body’s tired.” 

Alex gave a tight smile.  “That’s why I wanted you to stay home.  Give me your list.”

Tim handed over his list.  “I’ll pay you back.” He mumbled.  “Stop at an ATM on the way home.”

“Don’t worry about it right now.  I’ll be back as fast as I can.”   

“‘S ok.  Window feels nice.”

Alex reached over, back of his hand contacting Tim’s forehead and flushed cheeks.  “Because you have a fever.” He sighed.  “I knew I should have insisted you stay home.  Rest here.  I’ll be right back.”

Fortunately, the grocery store wasn’t crowded, and Alex completed Tim’s list in record time.   He found Tim dozing when he made it back to the car, waking with a start when he opened the car door.  “Got you food.” Was his only comment for the silent drive home.

Back at the apartment, Alex insisted on a temperature recheck.  “100.5.  Back to bed.  I’ll put the groceries away.”

Tim, instead of heading for his makeshift bedroom, headed for the fridge.

“What are you doing?”

“I want a glass of water.”

Alex nodded; that was not a bad idea on Tim’s part.  He watched Tim fill a glass with water, drink it, then fill it again.  

“How much water are you planning to drink?”

“I’m taking this one to bed.” Tim coughed.  “After I take some ibuprofen.”

Again, Alex nodded.  Tim, trying to get his fever down without being told was a good sign, even if Tim might be trying to prove a point.  “Just, try to rest.  I know the steroids wind you up a bit, but your body needs the rest.”

“I think I can try.”  Tim rubbed his nose with the back of his hand, then rubbed his hand on his sweats.   Sighing, Alex handed him a tissue.  “Thanks.”  Tim smiled, sheepishly, blowing his nose before heading over to his makeshift bedroom.

“Don’t forget Missy.” Alex called after him.

After gathering up his cat, he crawled back into bed, briefly falling asleep.

 

[Kolen]

Ah, the lovely life of Tim..

Wonderfully worded, a great piece

Thank you!

[brownsasha11]

 Since I discovered your writing aggedy_ann I am constantly in awe how consistent you are in putting out well thought out and cohesive characters. It’s such a delight  to see each new story and to reread the ones already published. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

[aggedy_ann]

On 12/17/2021 at 4:52 PM, Kolen said:

Ah, the lovely life of Tim..

Wonderfully worded, a great piece

Thank you!

Tim’s life is kinda hard sometimes.   

On 12/17/2021 at 5:57 PM, brownsasha11 said:

 Since I discovered your writing aggedy_ann I am constantly in awe how consistent you are in putting out well thought out and cohesive characters. It’s such a delight  to see each new story and to reread the ones already published. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

Thank you so much.  😊

 

Here’s the second frame:

 

Just under 2 hours later, he was up again, having slept maybe an hour of that.   Between his symptoms and the steroid, it had taken forever to fall asleep.   He lay restlessly in bed for awhile, then decided to venture out for some juice and maybe a little lunch.

Alex was on his couch, watching TV.  “Hey,” he looked up.  “Sounds like you got some decent sleep.  You were snoring pretty good for awhile.”

Tim blushed, hoping it was hidden through his fever flushed cheeks.  It was bad enough he was inconveniencing Alex, but now he was exposing him to his congestion amplified snoring as well.  “I thought…hold on…” He pressed a hand against his nose, the other hand starting to move towards the tissue box next to Alex.  Alex caught his meaning and plucked a few from the box, placing them in Tim’s outstretched hand.  “Thahhh…ayyyyahhhshoo, hahhhtshoo, ahhhchahhsho, chahhshash, ahhhyaashh, ahhhyahhshoo!”

“Bless you.”  Alex ignored sound of  the gurgling nose blows and, instead, handed over more tissues.  “You were saying?” He asked casually when Tim was done.

“I thought maybe, some lunch.”

“Hungry?”

“Not really, but I should eat.” Tim sighed and immediately began coughing.  Still coughing, he returned to his bed for his glass and inhaler, going to the kitchen for more water.   Coughing ceased, he took a long drink and used the inhaler again.

Alex raised an eyebrow.

“I can’t hear the wheezing, but I feel tight.”

Alex nodded approvingly.  “This one probably works better than your expired one.”

Tim looked down.  “Yeah.”

“How did you lehh…EhhChuhh..let it expire?”

“Hadn’t used it in awhile.  Didn’t think about checking.”

Alex finished heating the soup.  “You want anything else?” He began making himself a sandwich.

Tim shook his head.  “I think this is enough.”  He sat down and began picking his way through the bowl of chicken noodle.

“Back to bed.”  Alex told him after lunch.

Tim sighed.  “I don’t think I can sleep anymore right now.  I’d like to sit up for a bit.”

“You should rest.”

“I’ve learned my lungs feel better if I don’t stay flat the whole time. I can rest sitting up.” Tim argued.

Alex weighed this information.  “Couch.” He finally relented.   “Grab a blanket.”  He snatched up the paper towel next to his plate, drawing in a shaky breath.  “Hhh’Chuhh, Chuhh-Chushh, AhhChushh!  Try to get one not covered in cat hair, if that’s possible.” He mumbled.

Tim grabbed a knitted blanket from the storage bin under the bed.  He sat on the couch, one long leg tucked under him, draping the blanket over him and flipped through Netflix.

Alex sat on the other end of the couch as Tim picked the movie, placing the box of tissues between them.  20 minutes into the movie, Alex had nodded off.   Tim sat there, trying to keep his coughs quiet, not to disturb him.  Sneezing, on the other hand…

“Heyehhttshhoo…Eehhckkchoo”. He tried to suppress them.

“Bless you.”Alex mumbled, drowsily.

“Sorry.”

“You can’t help it.” Alex yawned, pressing his head tighter against his pillow, closing his eyes.  “Sorry, didn’t sleep much last night.”

Tim felt a twinge of guilt.  “Sorry.” He apologized again.

“Don’t worry about it.  I was up late working on my proposal.  Woke up every time you sneezed, every time I sneezed, then Missy gave me an early start to my day.”

The guilt continued.  Between him and the cat, of course he’d kept Alex up all night.  “Is the allergy pill helping?”

Alex sighed.  “Not as much as usual.  But usually I take it before I spend more than a few hours here.”

Again, a wave of guilt.  Alex hadn’t anticipated spending the night on a cat hair covered couch.  His friend was probably just as miserable as he was.

“Go back to sleep.  I’ll try to do the same.”

Alex pressed his head against the pillow again.  “Good idea.”  He pressed the back of his hand against his nose.  “Hhh’Chuhh.”

“Bless you.”

Tim turned his attention back to the movie as Alex nodded off again.  Half an hour after Alex dozed off, Tim was asleep, not aware that Missy had curled up between him and the tissues.

Another half hour later, Missy’s presence broke through Alex’s Zyrtec.  He woke up, the need to sneeze so intense, it made his eyes water.  Looking over at Tim, now asleep, he saw the cat’s black ears and white nose poking from behind the tissues.  Hastily grabbing one, ignoring her glare at being disturbed, he folded in two.  “HehhtChushh,EhhhChuhh, Chuhh, Chuhh-Chuhhh, hehhUhhChushoo!”  

Tim stirred on the last sneeze.  “Bless you.”

“HehhCHuhhh!  Cat.  Chuhhshhh!”

Eyes widening, Tim shooed Missy down.  “I’m so sorry.” Came the flustered apology.  “I didn’t know she was there.”

Alex nodded, reaching for more tissues just in time to catch a fresh flurry of sneezes.  “Ugh.”  He groaned.  “That’s what she did to me this morning.  HuhhChhggtt.”  Bringing the tissues back to his nose, he pinched off another sneeze.

“Bless you.”  Tim paused, turning quickly away over the side of the couch.  “Yyahhshoo, hehhhrrrahhshoo!  Rahhshehhh! Hahhsheshh!” The predictable wheezy coughing followed.   

“Got you going, huh?”  Alex held up a finger, requesting Tim delay his response.  “HehhChhcktt, uhhchhngtt.”

“I think I’m pretty suggestible right now,” Tim sighed, rubbing his nose.  

Alex wrinkled his nose a few times and sniffled. “Well, I think I’m done…at least, the fast and furious ones are…for now.”

“Hahhrrshoo! Hahryyahshoo!”  This time, Tim managed to get to the tissues.

“Apparently, you’re not.”

Tim glanced down at his wrist, then realized he’d never put his watch back on after his shower last night.  “What time is it?”

“3:30.”

Tim sighed.  “Should have had cold medicine an hour ago.” He admitted.  “I fell asleep.”

“Not the worst reason for forgetting.” He pointed out as Tim got up and headed for his nightstand. 

Grabbing the box, he met Alex in the kitchen and poured a glass of orange juice.  “I need to do dishes.”  He commented, looking at his meager supply of glasses sitting around the sink.   He bent down to grab the dish drainer from under the sink and began coughing harshly as he bent down.  Straightening up, he slumped down in a chair, coughing slowly subsiding.  

Alex took the dish drainer from him.  “You need to rest.”

“I’m ok.”  Tim worked at catching his breath.  “Asthma…bending over like that triggers this sometimes when I’m sick.”  He gave his nose a powerful blow.  “Besides, this place is a mess.  Was gonna clean today…laundry.”

“You’re going to rest.”  Once again, Alex’s tone left little room for arguments.   

“I have to do laundry.” Tim tried again.

Alex hesitated, and for a brief second, Tim thought maybe he was relenting.  Until Alex pulled his t-shirt up over his nose.  “EhhChhsshh!  Do you really think you’re up to carrying your laundry up and down the stairs?”

Tim weighed this.  He wanted to say yes, but, the answer was, honestly, no.  

“Can it wait until tomorrow?”

“I guess; I’m almost out of clean clothes.  But the rest of cleaning I can do…sweep, vacuum, dishes, garbage.  You’ll probably be more comfortable if I sweep and vacuum anyway.”  He pressed his face into his hoodie sleeve.  “HuhhChusshehh, ChuhhhShesshh!”

“You can do the dishes.  I’ll get the rest.  Including the laundry.”

“I can’t…you can’t do my laundry.”

“Like I haven’t done it before.”

“That was different.  That was…before.”

“This is different.  You’re sick.  You’re really working at breathing when you move around.  Go wash your dishes, then rest before supper.”

Tim frowned, knowing Alex was right.  He was having a hard time keeping his breath; this morning’s walk to Alex’s car had done him in.  Pushing himself to an asthma attack would only prove Alex right…that he couldn’t take care of himself.  He nodded. “Ok.  You’re probably right.”

“I know I’m right.”

“Heyyyehhshoo! Yeehhggshoo!  Hahhhgehhshoo! HehhggShoo!”  Tim wanted to fire back a retort at Alex, but sneezing had sapped him of his energy.  Besides, he had a feeling there were more on the way.  

“Ble-“

Tim shook his head.  He hadn’t been wrong about the impending sneezes.  “HehRahshoo! Ahhrshoo! Hahrshoo!HahhrahhSheshh!”

“And I think I’m doing the dishes, if you’re gonna sneeze like that.  Don’t need your bug right now.”  

Tim glared.  “Just waiting…”. Realizing how stuffed up he was, he blew his nose furiously.  “Cold medicine needs to kick in,” he enunciated.  “Besides, you’re sneezing, too.”

“Cat allergies aren’t contagious.” Alex grinned.  “That cold…that gave you walking pneumonia by the way…is.”  He reached for the tissues, snagging one, feeling a sneeze building.  “You should be in behhhd…EhhChusssh-chusshh.”

“Bless you.” Tim grumbled.  Again, Alex wasn’t wrong.  Tim was just tired of being told what to do, annoyed at having his life taken over, even if it was, hopefully, only temporary.”  He got out of the chair, grabbed Missy, and stalked off, in his annoyance feeling less guilty as he heard Alex sneeze a half dozen times from the kitchen.

Tim lay in bed, staring at the wall, his stormy silence broken only by his coughing and sneezing.   He could hear Alex clattering around the apartment as he cleaned, brought laundry downstairs.  Instead of being grateful for his friend’s help, the sounds of activity only made him more resentful.   Unsure when, he must have fallen asleep, because the next he knew, Alex was waking him for supper.   

“I thought maybe those steroids might have kicked in by now, and I figured you’re gonna get sick of soup.”  Alex set a hamburger and mashed potatoes in front of him.   

“Sorry.” Tim apologized 10 minutes later with only half of his hamburger eaten.  “I’m sorry.  My throat is really sore, and the coughing doesn’t help.”

Alex frowned.  “I bet not.  I can make some more potatoes if you’re still hungry…” came the offer.

“Not that hungry.” Tim cleared his throat.  

“Better than pushing you to eat half a bowl of soup.”  Alex twisted away.  “Hehhhh…uhhh’Chuhh!”  Tim looked down as Alex tried to softly blow his nose, then just gave up and blew to his satisfaction.  “That one wouldn’t come.”He sighed.

“Bless you.”  He took a good look at Alex.  “Your eyes are starting to look puffy.”

Another sigh.  “I know.”   

“Gonna look great for your meeting tomorrow…”

“You’re not running me off tonight that easy.”

Tim’s response was a sharp outburst of coughing.  Looking up, he caught Alex’s glance, opened his mouth to respond, and instantly ducked it into his left shoulder.  “Yyehshoo! Hiighhyyeshoo!”  And, his arm was back up to block more wheezing coughs.

“Inhaler.” Alex ordered.

Tim shook his head, getting up from the table and stepping out of the small kitchen.  “Too soon,” he said, returning.  “And I’m fine.  Just coughing up crap now.”

“Good to get it out of your chest.” Alex shrugged.  “Probably best to have you sit up for awhile then.  Maybe some tea, too.   Calm things down before bed.”

“I don’t have any tea.”

Alex stood up and went to the cupboard, shooing Missy out of the way.  “I bought some.  Go get comfortable.  I’ll bring it.”

Tim went and curled his lanky frame up on the couch as best he was able while still leaving room for Alex.  Missy pawed at his leg, and he gently pushed her down.  “Not on the couch right now, Miss.  You can’t come up while Alex is here.”

“Think she actually understands you?”  

“Questioning my mental state now?”

“N-no.”  Alex’s voice hitched and he thrust the mug of tea at Tim, bringing up his free hand.  “HhhChuhhh, Chhhgghhtt.”

Tim had grasped the tea just in time.  “Bless you.”  He held out the tissues.   

Grabbing a few, Alex sank down on the couch, scrubbing at his nose, watching as Missy curled up a few feet away, staring at him.

“I swear she knows what she does to me.” He grumbled.

“That’s what I’ve heard.” Tim gave a deep sniffle following a sip of the tea.   “This is good.”  He sniffled again, and Alex batted the tissues closer.

Taking the hint, Tim blew his nose.  “Steam from the tea always does that.  But it’s good.  Sweet.”

“Just plain lemon.  Extra honey, for your throat.”

“Thanks.”  Tim yawned, picking up the tea for another drink.

“You’re tired.”

“One yawn.” Tim pointed out, fighting back a second.  

“Two.”  Apparently, his efforts hadn’t worked. “You look tired.”

“Not sure why. All you have me do is sleep.”

“You’re pretty sick.”  Alex reached across to feel Tim’s forehead as Tim pulled away.  “Tim…” His voice was low, tinged with annoyance.

“Sneeze.” Tim muttered, holding the tissue in his hand up to his face, waiting.   “YyuhhShoo! Huhhhyunngshoo! YyyuhhhuhhShoo! UhhShooo! RuhhShehh! HuhhRuhhSheshh!  Ugh!  Gross.” He muttered, reaching for more tissues.   

“Bless you.  You ok?”

“Sneezed right through the tissue.  4 sneezes ago.” Tim sighed, wiping off his hand, then blowing his nose.

Alex winced at the explanation and the sound…and the coughing that followed.  “Take a drink.” He urged when the coughing finished.   

Tim sat there, alternating sips of tea and nose blows, intermixing the coughing and sneezing.  “I think you loosened everything up with this.” He complained.

“Better than letting it sit in your head and chest.” Alex shot back, finally making a successful attempt at feeling Tim’s forehead.  “I’m getting the thermometer.” Was his resolute decision.

Tim sighed.  He knew his temperature was up.  He was absolutely freezing, but he didn’t need Alex to know.   All that would do would give Alex more power to order him around with.   

“I’m fine!” He protested on Alex’s return, but Alex slid the thermometer in his ear anyway. 

“100.7.  Fine, my ass.  Finish your tea, shower, and back to bed.”

Tim frowned, but knew arguing would get him nowhere.  Standing up, he grabbed ibuprofen from the medicine cabinet, swallowed that with the rest of his tea, then crawled in the shower, groaning as it loosened his congestion even further.   Nose red and raw, post shower, he crawled into bed, setting the alarm on his phone for NyQuil at 11:30.   

Once in bed, he coughed and sneezed himself into exhaustion, Missy, too distressed by his stream of explosions to curl at side, instead lay on the floor.

Alex listened to Tim cough and sneeze as he cleaned up the kitchen.  Finally the snoring filled the small apartment, and he relaxed.   Picking up his phone, he called Bill again.  “Hi…yeah, he’s sleeping…coughing and sneezing up a storm…huhhChuhh! You were saying?…Running a fever. He’s treating it with the cold medicine and ibuprofen.  Says he coughing stuff up now…yeah, you’re right, that’s probably a good siihh…ihhhChhshh…thanks, cat’s really getting to me…maybe…do you think?…I think me staying here is irritating him…maybe if we checked on him…I’ve got that meeting with the network, and I’d like some time away from the cah…ahhchuhh…chhghtt!…ugh, can’t even say the word, but yeah, time away from it before I go…it’s at 3…you could do lunch and supper checks?  I’ll come at night.  And if I need to stay again, I will.   I mean, I trust him…he’s just so sick…I know, I know. You’re right.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow.  Thanks, Bill.”

Decisions made, he sat down with his own box of tissues in front of the TV, glaring at the cat who wanted to sit down with him.

[starpollen]

Awww poor Tim ❤️ 

[EveP]

Reading this was such a good start of my day. I hope Tim will feel better soon, but not quite 100%. ❤️

[aggedy_ann]

Thanks. ❤️
 

At 9:30, he went and checked on Tim, noticing the antibiotic still on the kitchen counter. He stood by the room divider for a long minute just watching Tim sleep before going in and resting a hand on Tim’s forehead.  

Tim jolted awake and pulled away.  “What’re you doing?” He turned away to cough.

“Checking on you.”

“Don’t need to be checked on.”

“Apparently you do.” Alex sighed, shaking the bottle of pills.  “You forgot these.”

Tim scooted up against the headboard, sitting up.  “No.  I didn’t take them when you apparently want me to take them.  I was going to take them when I got up to take the NyQuil.”  He reached for a tissue to blow his nose, exploding with his typical double in the process.

Alex ignored him.  “Every 12 hours.” He tapped the directions on the bottle.   

Tim groaned.  “You just don’t let up, do you?” He snatched the bottle from Alex, took the pill and slid back down, noticing the thermometer.  “Again?”

“See if the ibuprofen helped.”  He looked at the cat who had hopped up on the bed to investigate.   

Tim sighed, moving Missy to his other side.  “Go ahead.”

Alex withdrew the thermometer as it beeped.  “100.8.” He frowned.   

“Explains why I feel like hell.”

“About time you admitted ihht…ihhtschuhh…Chuhh…hahhChuhhgkkt.  Thanks.”  He took the tissues Tim handed over and pressed them to his nose, waiting.  “HuhhIhhChuhh!”

“Bless you.”

Alex finished blowing his nose.  “I don’t know who sounds worse right now.  Me or you.” He commented.

“Yours is self inflicted.”

Alex gave him a stony look.  “Neither here nor there.” He retorted, then sighed.  “You need anything?”  

Tim’s expression glazed over, and he turned towards the wall again, curling into himself.  “HuhhRahhshoo! AhhShoo! HahhShoo! HahhIshoo! IhhShihhShoo! IhSheshhh! SheshhShuhh! HahhIhhShuhhh!”

Alex watched Tim shake with each harsh sneeze, then wait for the coughing spell that followed to cease.   

“Inhaler.” Tim rasped, reaching for the nightstand.  Alex picked up the small object and handed it over, waiting for Tim to use it.   

“Should’ve picked you up some cough syrup.”

“I’m ok.”

“I’ll have Bill bring you some tomorrow.”   

“Really, I’m ok.  “YahhhShoo! HahhYahhShoo!”

Alex blinked.  “That was loud.”

“Tried to fight ‘em.”

“To prove you were ok?” A faint smile played over Alex’s lips, then twisted as his face contorted with another sneeze.  “Hh’Chuhh.”

“Sure you’re ok?” Tim countered back.  Alex’s sneezing was picking up over the course of the last 48 hours along with red, swollen eyes.   

“It’s just sneezing.” Alex retorted, rubbing an eye.  

“And itchy, watery eyes from the looks of it.”

Alex shrugged.  “Who’s the one who was in urgent care 24 hours ago?  At least I know it won’t go beyond this.”

“I’ll be fine.  I’ve got antibiotics and steroids.”  Tim protested.

“And pneumonia with asthma.”  Alex ducked down for another sneeze, then rubbed both eyes with the heels of his hands.

“I found a Benadryl.” Tim said, softly.

“You have Benadryl?” 

Tim brought his hands up to cover his nose.  “Hold…” he managed, voice muffled.  “Huyihshoo! IhckShoo!”  Sniffling, he brought his hands down, drying them on his blanket, ignoring the look on Alex’s face.  He took the tissues Alex thrust at him, blew his nose, then spoke again.  “I found one, when I was looking for a new razor blade. You probably left it here last time you stayed.  It’s in the medicine cabinet if you want it.”

“Couldn’t have mentioned this last night…when I had no antihistamines?”

“Didn’t know it was there til I shaved.  You should take it.  Big day tomorrow.”

Alex shook his head.  “You might need something.”

“I’ll be sleeping.”

Alex shook his head, shifting his weight.  “So, about tomorrow…”

“You really don’t need to spend the day.”  Tim coughed.  “I’m sure you want some time before your meeting.  I’ll probably just sleep anyway.”

“Counting on that.”  He cleared his throat.  “I talked to to Bill.  We’re gonna just check on you throughout the day.  I do need some time before the meeting, let the allergies die down.  Bill’s gonna pop in during the day…lunch and supper.  I’ll be back tomorrow night.”

“Are you stahhhy…ahhyyahhshoo! Yyyahhshoo! Staying?”

“I don’t know yet.” He was informed, bluntly.  “I’ll see how you are.”

“I don’t get a say in any of this, do I?” Tim sighed, rolling towards the wall, pulling the covers around his ears.

“Let’s just see how tomorrow goes.” Alex deftly brought his wrist up.  “Huhpt’Chuhh.”  Heading back to the kitchen, he muttered, “it’s not like I’m enjoying all this sneezing…or your attitude.”  Sitting down, he began fine tuning his proposal until he heard Tim’s alarm go off, heard Tim take the cold medicine and go back to bed.

Tim woke sometime later and used the bathroom.  He heard the sound of Alex’s muffled desperate sneezes from the main part of the apartment.  Grabbing the Benadryl capsule, he headed for the couch.   

Alex looked up and waved him away.  “I’m fine.” He managed between sneezes.

Tim ignored him, sitting on the opposite end of the couch, waiting for Alex’s fit to die down.  

It took another minute or two, but Alex’s sneezing finally slowed to the point where he could talk.  

“Bless you.”

“What are you doing up?” Alex scowled.

“Bathroom.” He held out the Benadryl.  “I really think you should take this.”

“She crawled on my chest while I was sleeping.  As long as she…ehhChmmpt…stays off me, I’ll be fine.”

“You know she won’t.”

Alex groaned, stifling a trio of sneezes into his handful of tissues.  His hand met Tim’s as he went to the box for more, and he paused, allowing him to pull some free.

Tim’s lashes fluttered as he ducked his head down.  “Hehhhyeehshoo! EhhShoo!  EhHiihShoo! Yihhshoo! Yyihhshuhh! HuuhyehhShushh!”  He ended the last one in a blow and sighed.  

“If I take it, will you go back to bed?” Alex demanded.

Tim nodded, folding the tissues around his nose.  “Huhhptchehhh, uhhptchEhhShehh!”

“Bless you.”  He took the pill from Tim.  “Now go.” He swallowed the pill dry, and lay back down, watching Tim walk back to bed.  He doubted one pill would help, but, it couldn’t hurt, especially with a big day tomorrow.

Tim was up first in the morning, mostly due to his cold medicine alarm.  Alex was still asleep on the couch, but Tim couldn’t manage to fall back to sleep.  He lay in bed for over an hour before getting dressed and going to wake Alex.   

Alex awoke with a start.  “Hey.  How you feeling?”  

“Same.” Tim admitted.  “Still sneezing. Still coughing.”

“It’s only been a day and a half.  Can’t expect miracles.”

“You slept.”

“Yeah.  Thanks.  You?”

“Cough kept me up.” Tim admitted.

“Well, you’ll sleep today.  Hungry?”

“More or lehhhss.  EhhShoo…EhhhIihhShoo!”

“Give me a few minutes.  I’ll make you some breakfast.”

“I can have cereal.”

“You need something better than that.”  Alex was already off the couch and digging for clothes out of his bag, muffling a sneeze in his forearm.   

10 minutes later, Alex had eggs in front of Tim and was sitting down with his own plate.   “I’m leaving after breakfast.”  He informed Tim as Tim swallowed his antibiotic and steroid.   “I’ve got expectations.”

“Of course you do.” Tim sighed.  

“One, you rest.  Bed or couch.  All day.  Two, exception is meals.  Lunch and supper.  There’s canned soup.  Three, I’ll be preparing for my proposal today.  If you need anything, call Bill.  He’ll bring it when he stops.  If it’s an emergency, call Bill; he’s closer.”

Tim nodded.  “Wasn’t gonna do much other than sleep and watch TV today.”  He didn’t put up a fight, just glad to be able to sneeze and cough in peace, without someone fretting over him and telling him what to do, when to do it.

Alex collected the dishes, setting them in the sink.  “I want to…huhhChuhh…Chuhh…Chushhh…check your temp.”

Tim groaned.  “I’m fine.”

A glare from Alex as he picked up the thermometer.  “100.8 yet.  Take any ibuprofen?”  At Tim’s head shake, “go take it.”   

Tim came back from the bathroom seeing Alex with his backpack.  “I’ll see you tonight.   Check your temp before Bill gets here around noon.   Remember, call him if you need anything.”

Tim nodded.  “Thanks.” He managed, grabbing for the tissues, and waving Alex away.  “HuuhChuhhShahh, huhhShehh, uhhhihhsheshh, hihhsheshh, ihhHihshoo, ihhShoo!”

He looked up blowing his nose to see Alex frowning.  “You sure you’re ok?”

“Gotta sneeze all this out.” He joked, coughing.  “And cough it up.  I’m ok, really.”

“Don’t forget your inhaler.”  Alex reminded, slipping out.

Tim, shaking, used the inhaler, then collapsed on the couch after moving the blankets Alex had used.  On the, what seemed like certainty Alex would spend the night, he wanted to keep Missy off that bedding as much as possible.  Wrapping himself in a blanket from his bed, he switched on the TV and glazed over until he fell asleep.

He was next aware of Bill knocking at the door.  Dragging himself to the entry, he got there just as Bill unlocked and opened the door.   “Sorry,” he mumbled, looking down.  “I was sleeping.”  He moved so Bill could walk in.

“Sleep is good.  How are you feeling?  Fever down at all?”

Tim grabbed the thermometer off the kitchen table.   “Sorry,” he apologized again.  “I was supposed to check this before you got here.”

“You were asleep.” Bill made the excuse for him as Tim fumbled awkwardly with the thermometer.

“Also, I don’t know how to use it.” Tim admitted, sheepishly.

Bill grinned, taking the thermometer from him, checking his temperature, explaining how to use it.   “You’re at 100.6.  Better, worse or the same?”

“Down a little.  Was 100.8 at breakfast.”

“Speaking of breakfast…” he paused as Tim inhaled sharply, covering his nose with a sleeve.  

“Rhhishhoo! UhhRhhishoo!”  

“Bless you.  I brought lunch from the deli you like by the office.”  He pulled soup from the bag on the table.   

“Thanks.”  Tim managed before his breath caught and he launched into a full on coughing fit.   Bill grabbed the water glass off the coffee table, set it in front of him, waiting.  Tim took a long drink at the conclusion of the spell.  “It’s too soon for my inhaler.” He anticipated Bill’s question.

“Steroids not helping? Maybe you need to go back?” Bill fussed.

“Just had the second dose this morning.  Give it another day.”

“Ok.”  Bill pulled down bowls and spoons, pouring them each some soup.  “Eat,” he urged.

Faced with his favorite soup, Tim found he was hungry and able to eat without prompting.   Following lunch, Bill handed Tim a glass of orange juice, sending him to the couch, joining him.  

“You never answered how you were feeling.” He prompted.

“Maybe a bit better than Wednesday.” Tim admitted, looking around for his tissue box and sneezing into his sleeve again when he didn’t see it.   “HuhYiihhshoo, yiihhshoo! YiihhHihhShoo! Hihhsheshh! IhhShesh! yyihhShehhShoo!”

“Bless you.” Bill had grabbed the box off the kitchen table and offered it over.  

Coughing, Tim took a handful, turning away to spit out everything he had coughed up and blow his nose.   “Sorry.”

“For what?  I’ve been listening to you blow your nose for over a week.”

“The coughing stuff up is new.”

“Don’t worry about it.  Bad to keep that in your lungs.”

Tim managed a smile.  “So, had to sic Alex on me, huh?”

“We were worried.  It’s not like you to be sick, let alone this sick.”

“He’s being an ass.”

“Is he?  Or do you resent being told what to do?”  Bill, ever logical, countered.  

“Maybe both.” Tim shot back, noticing Bill steeple his hands over his nose, and choosing not to continue his tirade on Alex.

“Huhh’Ihhshuue…Ihhsshuue…Hehhh’Ihhshehhh!  Excuse me.”  Bill shook his head slightly, plucking a tissue from the box he had just offered Tim.  “Woke up with my own cold this morning.”

Tim felt a flash of guilt.  “Got you sick?”

Bill shook his head.  “I would have had yours last week, the way you’ve been sneezing.  Kids brought home a cold, and you try not to catch anything from a 3 and 5 year old.  They already got the wife and the older one.  Was just a matter of time for me.”

Tim laughed, then started coughing. 

Bill reached out and rubbed his back.  “Take a drink.” 

Tim did as he was instructed, then offered a small smile.  “Alex know you’re sick?”

“Not really. Was just a headache when I talked to him. Didn’t start hitting me until I was at work.  It’s been pretty minor so far.  I bought some cold medicine when I went to get your cough syrup.  So, you and Alex…not getting along?”  He picked Missy up from where she was batting at his legs and set her in his lap where she began purring the instant he started petting her.    

“He orders me around, says I can’t take care of myself.” He glanced at the cat.  “Complains about Missy; I can’t keep her away from him…this place isn’t that big.”

“He’s worried.  You know that.  He’s watched you fail before, doesn’t want this to derail you.  Neither do I.  What happened, with Steve…that hit him more than you realize, I think.   He’s got a lot of time, energy invested in helping you.”

“You mean money.” Tim referred to the rehab stints.

“We both know he doesn’t care about that part.   It’s the time he’s put into it.  We both have.  I’ve told him, I’m sure you’re ok.”

“I’m fine!” Tim protested, crumpling his tissues.

“I think you’re just sicker than you’ve been in a long time.   You weren’t this bad last week.  Monday, you were starting to get there.”

Tim nodded, pressing the clump of tissues up to his face.  “HuhhptChuhh, heyyYuhhChuhhh! ChuhhYihhshoo, yyihhshoo! AhhhKihhtschoo, kihhshushhh!”

“Bless you. God, you’re making up for hardly ever sneezing these past two weeks.  I think there’s people at work who’d never heard you sneeze before you got sick.”

“Probably bothering everybody.” Tim muttered.

“Hey, if we can work through everyone’s allergies, we can handle you.”  Bill looked at his watch.  “I’ve got to go back to work.  Anything you need me to bring when I come up?”

“Tissues.  Between me and Alex, I’m down to the last box.  All this crap I’m spitting out just makes me go through them faster.”

“I’ll try to bring enough to get you through the weekend.”  Bill promised.   “And go easy on Alex, ok.  He’s just concerned about you with other things on his mind.”

“I know. I know. He’s got the show he’s pitching.”

“Among other things.  Did you also know he wants you for the show? To write? If it gets picked up?”

“But my job…”

“So you work for me part time.  We’ll figure it out.  Talk to him tonight.  Just don’t be defensive.  Like I said, a lot on his mind right now.  Take the cough syrup, go back to sleep.  I’ll see you around 5.”

Tim smiled, his first real smile since Alex had shown up Wednesday night.  “Thanks, Bill.”

Tim took the cough syrup, hoping it would slightly calm down his cough; not that cough syrup ever worked for him. Finding a movie on Netflix, he curled up on the couch and quickly fell back to sleep.

[aggedy_ann]

And here’s the ending:

 

He woke up at 4, in search of cold medicine and actually hungry.   Sneezing his way around the kitchen, he popped the bright orange capsules, then poured the leftover soup into a bowl.   He’d just settled back on the couch when Bill knocked.  Pulling himself up, he made it to the door in time to properly greet Bill this time.   

“How are you doing?” Bill asked, sounding stuffier than he had that morning.

Tim shrugged.  “Been asleep most of the day.”  He offered a small smile.  “Stops the sneezing.  Coughing, not so much.”

“Cough syrup help?” Bill pressed a hand to Tim’s forehead and cheeks.  “I know it’s hit or miss with you. Temperature?”

“A little, maybe.  And I didn’t check.   I got confused with this thing.”  He indicated the thermometer.

Bill laughed.  “Pick it up.  I’ll talk you through it.”  He, once again, guided Tim through checking his temperature.

“I don’t see why Alex couldn’t have just gotten a regular one.” Tim grumbled.

“Faster.  Supposed to be more accurate.”  Bill shrugged.  “You’ll figure it out.  What is it?”

Tim looked at the readout.  “100.7.  I’ll grab some ibuprofen.”  He disappeared into the bathroom, re-emerging with another bottle of pills.  “I don’t remember the last time I’ve taken this much medication.” He griped.

“I don’t remember the last time you were this sick.” Bill pointed out, coughing.

“You’re sounding roughehhr…rhhhehhshoo! HehhrehhShoo!”

“You know me.  Starts light, hits fast.” Bill said, wearily.  

“Yeahhahh…hahhKishhShoo…IhhShahshh!”

“Bless you.  More?” He asked when Tim didn’t move his hands.

“Don’t know.” Tim admitted.  “But I need a tissue.”

Bill handed him a few, turning to give Tim some privacy as he blew his nose and wiped his hands.  “Thanks.”  He cleared his throat.  “I took my cold medicine, ate.  I understand if you want to be home.”

“HihhYehhShuue!  If you’ve eaten, I’ll probably keep this short.  Wife was off today, so I should go give her a break from the kids.  Oldest went to school, but we kept the younger two home.”

Tim nodded, coughing, then taking a sip of his water.   

“Want some tea before I go?”

“I can make it.”

“I don’t mind.  Oh!  I left your tissues in the car.   You start the tea, I’ll run and get those.”

Tim filled a coffee mug with water, sticking it in the microwave, putting a teabag in the hot water just as Bill came back in, loaded down with tissues.  “You may be stocked for awhile.  If I remember right, you either go through them like crazy, or you stop needing them altogether.”  He set them down on the table as Tim stirred the tea, then took a sip.

“Did you put honey in?” Came the query.   “If I also remember right, honey works best on calming your cough.”  Bill watched as Tim added honey to the tea. “Now, just swallow a spoonful.  That’s what we do for the little ones.  Seems to help.  Maybe it’ll get you a break.”   

“Thanks.  Go home.  Get some rest.”

“You, too.  And talk to Alex tonight.  Not at him.”

“I will if he will.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Bill promised, muffling a sneeze into his coat collar.   “Rest.” He urged.  “I want you back on Monday.  And I know you hate being out.”

“Not earnin-“

Bill put up a hand to stop him.  “You’ve got the vacation time.  Don’t worry about it.  Call if you need anything.”

“Go rest.” Tim told his friend.  “I’ll lay low.”  Taking his tea, he headed back to the couch, wrapped the blanket around him and tried to sleep.  Failing that, he grabbed a book off the shelf and curled up with The Shining in one hand, handful of tissues clenched in the other.  Coughing and sneezing his way through the book, he lost himself in the familiar words, and jumped, startled, when Alex knocked on the door at 8:30.   

Getting up, he placed the battered paperback on the couch and headed for the door to let Alex in.  

“Hey,” he rasped. 

“Hey.  How are you feeling?”  He reached for Tim’s forehead.   “Still warm.  Check your temperature lately?”

“When Bill was here.  100.7.  Took ibuprofen then.”

“Recheck it?”

“No.  I was reading, lost track of everything.”

Alex pointed to the thermometer on the table and Tim clumsily inserted it in his ear.  “100.5.  I can’t take anything until 11.”   

“You ate?”

“Before Bill got here.  I woke up hungry.”

Alex looked at the tissues on the table.  “Got enough here?”

“Going through the others fast enough.  I’m almost done with the last box you bought.  Speaking of which,” he sniffled, heading for the couch.  He blew his nose a handful of time, then returned to the kitchen to deposit the tissues in the trash.   “Nose started really running about an hour ago.” He complained.

“How’s the cough?”

“Hold on.”  Tim pulled more tissues from the box, holding them in front of his face, readying himself for the sneezes that were building.  When they failed to come, he walked into the bathroom, stared at the light bulb and switched it on.  It took a few seconds for the urge to intensify to fruition, but he finally bent forward into the tissues.  “HahhIhhShoo! Ihhshoo! HiiggShoo! HahhEhhDdShoo! AhhIhhggShoo! Hiihhckkshoo!”  Wiping his nose with the soggy tissue, he threw it away, reaching for the toilet paper.

“Here.”  Alex was there with the tissues.  “Bless you.”  He said as Tim took several and set about blowing his nose again.    

Walking back to the couch, he slumped down, reminding Missy she couldn’t hop up with Alex there.  

“You sure you’re ok?  I’ve never seen you sensitive to light like that before.”  Alex was used to Tim’s photic reflex, but had never seen it in overdrive before.

“Works great for a stuck sneeze.”  Tim grinned.  “Especially when my nose is already this irritated.”

“Wish I could do that. Spent the first couple hours I was home this morning just fighting to get sneezes out.”

“Die down in time for your meeting?”

“Like I was never here.”  Alex sighed, rubbing his nose.  “And now, I feel like I never left.”  He took the tissue Tim offered him.  “You know something I don’t?”

“Only that you’ll need it eventually.” Tim teased, yawning.

Alex laughed.  “Tired?  Did you sleep today?”  

Tim started to snap back ‘yes,’ then remembered what Bill had said.  “Most of the day.  I couldn’t sleep after dinner, so I read.”

“What are you reading?”  Alex glanced down at the beat up book on the couch next to the tissues.  “The Shining?  I don’t get how you can live alone and read that stuff.”

“I did get startled when you knocked,” Tim admitted, sheepishly.

“Gee, I wonder why?”  Alex laughed, then pressed the tissue to his nose for a hastily covered sneeze.  “She was up here today, wasn’t she?” He asked, noticing the bedding he had used was missing.

“Can’t keep her off.” Tim shrugged.  “TV’s out here.”  Wiping his nose, he continued, “I put your stuff in a bag in the shower.” He laughed.  “She won’t go in there.”

“Maybe I should sleep in there.” Alex muttered.

“Might be cramped.” Tim pointed out.  “Might have to kick you out a couple times.” 

Alex laughed.  “Today went ok?”

Tim nodded, dazed expression crossing over his features.  Alex recognized the expression for what it was and pressed a tissue into Tim’s hand.  “M-more.”  Tim managed, pressing a knuckle against his nose.  Alex slid 3 more in Tim’s outstretched palm, then Tim pressed them hard against his face.  “AyySshoo! AyyIihSschoo!  HiihhScchesshh, ihhShisshhesshh! IhhShusshh, ShuhhIhhShusshh!”  Folding those tissues and discarding them, he reached for more for several slimy feeling nose-blows, ignoring the look on Alex’s face.

“Bless you.  Those are awful, um, wet sounding.”

“Everything liquified.” Tim shrugged.  “After a week and a half of not being able to get anything to move.”

“You’re lucky you didn’t get a sinus infection on top of everything.  How long do you think you had a fever?”

Tim shrugged.  “Dunno.  Usually don’t run one.  Maybe off and on for a few days.  Definitely off and on on Wednesday, maybe Tuesday.”

“I wish you would have told us you were this sick.”

Tim shrugged.  “It hit fast.  It was just a cold that wouldn’t go away.  Then…”

“It wasn’t.” Alex finished for him.  “Hh’chhxxt, chhggt, chhxtshuhh.”

“Bless you.”

“Go take your shower.  I’m gonna vacuum this couch again.”

“Can’t I wait? Thought you could tell me about your meeting.”

“I will.  After your shower.  Tim, please?”  

“Want privacy to talk to Bill about me?” Tim snapped, regretting his tone once he spoke.

“It’d be nice.” Alex shot back.  

Tim stalked off towards the shower, dumping Alex’s stuff outside the door.  He’d tried being nice, but he was just getting bossed around and babied again.   Even when he’d spent the day doing everything right, it wasn’t gonna be good enough for Alex, was it.   

He cranked the hot water up in the shower and stood there, angry tears poking at his eyes until the water started to turn cold, then got dressed again, heading out into the living room.

While Tim was in the shower, Alex was on the phone with Bill.  “Hi Bill…you don’t sound great…picked it up from the kids…bet Tim was relieved to hear that.  How was he today?………ok…ok…Bless you…I never thought about making sure he knew how to use it.   Says he couldn’t sleep this evening, so he read.  Everything’s shifting in his head now, he says.  Might be a sign all the medication is working…yeah…he seems to be making an effort to be more pleasant…until I told him to shower…he does hate being told what to do, you’re right.   HuhhChuxxt…thanks…Yeah, you’re right.  I’ll tell him everything tonight…I gotta vacuum the couch so I can get through the night on it…yeah, I brought Benadryl…damn, bless you.  Go get some rest.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow.   You call me…I’m sure you’ve got your hands full at home.  Night Bill.”

He picked up the vacuum and was halfway through the couch when Tim emerged.  

“Have a good talk about me?”

Alex sighed.  “Just wanted to know how you were today.  Wish Bill would’ve told me he was sick; I could’ve figured something else out.”

“He said he wasn’t really when he talked to you this morning.  Then it hit him kinda all at once.  And I told you how I was today.”

Alex finished vacuuming the couch, put the vacuum away and sat down again.  “Can I be blamed for wanting another set of eyes?”

“For not trusting me.”

“Dammit, Tim!” Alex snapped.  “Do you have any idea how sick you are?  That maybe I have reason to be cautious?  Make sure you don’t need to be back in urgent care?”

“Look, I slipped up on taking care of myself.”

“You were using a 3 month expired inhaler!  Did you even think to look?”

Tim bit his lip.  “I’m trying, Alex.  It’s been a long time since I got sick without someone holding my hand.  I was so tired, so worn out.   Riding my bike to work and back was doing me in.”  He wiped at his nose.  “I guess it got the better of me.”

Alex sank down on the couch, indicating for Tim to join him.  “You could have asked for help.  Bill would have given you rides; I’m sure you’ve got other coworkers who would swing by to pick you up, drop you off…I would have taken you anywhere you needed to go…groceries, pharmacy…”

“I’m supposed to be independent.  Make it this time.  You said it last time, maybe you babied me too much.”

“That doesn’t mean…” he broke off as Tim pulled the last few tissues from the box, got up, got more.   

“YihhhShoo! HuhhYihhhSshoo!” A liquid blow and sniffle followed as Alex sat back down, opening the tissues for Tim.

“Bless you.  It doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help.  It doesn’t mean I can’t do this when you’ve got a fever and pneumonia.   It does mean that I can’t,” he cleared his throat, “and won’t hover when you have the sniffles.  But it also means it’s on you call when you’re too tired to ride your bike to the grocery store and ask for a ride. To speak up and say you’re feeling that rough.”

Tim twisted his tissue in his fingers.  “I just kept hoping I’d wake up feeling better.  I was gonna call a doctor, honest.”

“I believe you.”  Alex gingerly rubbed his eyes.

“You don’t have to spend the night, you know.  Go home to Cassie and Kristin.”

Alex sighed, looking away.  “Cassie took Kristin to her parents in New Hampshire.  2 weeks ago.”

“Oh.”  Tim paused for a rough bout of coughing.   

“I don’t think she’s coming back.  At least, not to me.”

Tim bit his lip, looking down, then brought his head back up as his nose started running.  “Sucks, man.”

Alex shrugged.  “It…hasn’t been working for awhile.  We’ve been working on it, but…”. He took a deep breath.     “Anyway, I’m all yours.” 

“You wanna talk about it?”

Alex shook his head.  “Not right now.”  He picked up the remote, switched on the TV.   “Anything you wanna watch?”  He covered a set of sneezes with his opposite wrist.   

Tim shook his head.  “Your choice.” He sniffed.  “You’re the one making yourself miserable on my behalf.”   He paused.  “You’re not staying a full week again, are you?”

Alex laughed.  “You mean, like when you moved in here?”

“Yeah.  First time on my own sober, and I had that little cold…”

Another laugh from Alex.  “I think that was a case of mr hovering when you had the sniffles…” came his comment. “But you’d only been sober a few months, going out on your own, and I-“

“You worry.” He coughed.  “But god, you were miserable.”

Alex shook his head.  “Yeah.  I’m not driven off that easily though.  I’ll be here til your fever breaks.”  He paused, catching the scurry of activity as Tim reached for tissues.

“HehhYihhShahh! RihhShahh! AhhSheshh! HahAhShoo! HahYahhShhehh…shhesshhShoo!  Be glad when this stops.” Tim blew his nose and pulled the blanket tighter, a motion that did not go unnoticed by Alex, just uncommented on.

“Bless you.  So are you going to ask how my meeting with the network was or do I just start telling you?”

Tim laughed and coughed.  “I’m guessing well, since you want to talk about it.”  He cleared his throat, “but, can we do this with me in bed?  I’m guessing my temperature shot up again since I’m suddenly freezing.”

“Ibuprofen?”

Tim sighed, standing up with his quilt.  “Not ‘til 11.”

“I’ll grab a chair.”  Alex returned with a kitchen chair and the thermometer just as Tim was snuggling down with Missy.   “Put her on your other side, please.” Alex slid the thermometer in Tim’s ear again.  “I brought Benadryl, but I’d like to wait to use it.  Back to 100.8.”

“Thought so.” Tim nodded.

“EhhChuhh!” Alex sat down, sneezing over his shoulder.  “So, you were right, it did go well at the network; I mean, nothing’s final…they’ll let me know, but…”  And as Tim coughed and sneezed, Alex sneezed and filled him in on his show pitch, the prospect it had for getting picked up, and the idea he had for Tim’s role in it as Tim made his way back into writing.   Tim asked all the right questions until 45 minutes in, Alex heard Tim’s silence at a pause in conversation, looked over to see Tim asleep.    ‘Yeah,’ he thought, ‘Tim was gonna be alright.’

[EveP]

Oh, poor Alex.