Tess' mother started "feeling poorly" two days after St.Patrick's Day and took to her bed. A week later, My Tess followed, and then Lily. So, for the past eight days I have been Dr. Cham. Well, Male Nurse Cham might be more accurate. Besides making chicken soup and doling out cough medicine, cough drops, and aspirin I haven't had to do much, except worry. They've all been sleeping as much as possible and I've been pretty much on my own.
No, it isn't the Coronavirus. It's Acute Bronchitis. One of Mrs.D's ardent admirers is a doctor and he made a house call (does anyone still do that🤨???) and he even brought flowers 💐!!! I'd met him once before at Mrs. D's Japanese Easter karaoke party 🤨. Nice fellow.
At first,Mrs.D wouldn't let him in her room because she "didn't have her face on" 😱😆, but half an hour later, she agreed and after he looked in on Tess and Lily, he said they all had bronchitis and that it would have to run it's course. After he left, I went to the computer to stock up on necessities and was shocked to find that our beloved WALMART was out of stock of a lot things on my list. Cough syrup, cough drops🍬, aspirin, rice🍚😯!!! When Tess is sick, she likes white rice with butter and frozen peas. I went to Ebay and found cough drops (3 pkgs for $15 ???) Oh, come on 😡!!! What kind of monster buys $2 cough drops and resells them for $5 ??? Now, when it comes to health, I say spare no expense, but that's ridiculous !
Then I remembered Tess' little "apothecary" in the garage. Luckily, she labeled the boxes so it didn't take me long to find it. (it took me longer to lift it. Hernia #4😵)I took it inside and unpacked it in the kitchen. There weren't any horehound drops, but among the herb packets I found horehound, her remedy recipe book and the little lozenge mold and got to work. Luckily, there was plenty of sugar, raw honey and lemons. Had I ever made cough drops before ? Uhhhh, no, but I've watched Tess do it a dozen times, give or take and .....how hard could it be to make tea, boil honey and sugar together and....OK, it was harder than it looked, but nine hours later I had a big batch of sorry looking cough candy and Tess said they were better than hers😁.
Me: Hey mom ! How are you doing ? How's Dad ?
My Mom: Sonny? (Not my real name 😄. ) Where are you?
Me: 🤨 In the next room. Where are you ?
That always makes her laugh.
My Mom: Oh, you.
Me: Everyone has Bronchitis and I need to make chicken soup. Can I have your recipe ?
My Mom: Oh no. Are you sure it isn't the Coronavirus?
Me: The doctor said Bronchitis.
My Mom : Oh no. Did you take them to the hospital?
Me: No, he came to the house. He said they were safer at home.
My Mom: That's going to cost a lot.
Me: No, he's an old friend of the family. I think he wants to marry Tess' mother.
My Mother : But, she's engaged to you!
Me: Not Tess ! Her mother ! Are you wearing your hearing aid ?
My Mother: Oh, you!
Me: So, can I have the recipe?
My Mother: Of course, honey !
So, a few hours later, I had a pot of chicken soup. When I delivered Mrs. D's, she pulled the duvet up to her chin and said "Mr. Cham, what ARE you doing in my boudoir ? (😄She slays me.) Tess said it was "scrumptious" and Lily declared it "just what the doctor ordered".
Me: Actually, he didn't. He told me to feed you all pickled pigs feet, raw oysters and bacon flavored soda ! 🤢
She just looked at me. She's had eight years of my foolishness. She probably would've quit years ago, but she's devoted to My Tess and only tolerates me for her sake.
Well, the Dr. said this will last about three weeks, so I guess Easter will have to be postponed. It's Tess' favorite holiday, so we have to celebrate it.
I'm going to go and check on the ladies and then Tess and I are going to watch a movie, but we haven't decided on one yet. Something happy, something cheerful. She looks so tiny when she's sick and I get so frightened, so afraid of losing her. That's a fear I've had to face several times now.
And tho she be but little, she is fierce.
That describes my Tess to a T. Little and fierce. Lyanna Mormont fierce,(but in a prettier package) and it took a giant to bring HER down.
We've fought through worse together and I have my three best weapons. My Mom's chicken soup, Sunny Delight and horehounds. Lord Virus doesn't stand a chance !!!
OH, SEVEN HELLS !!!
