Page 64 of Country Charm

We walk up the steps and he swings open the thin aluminum screen door; his movements are so weighted, that the door looks as though it’s made of iron. I wish I could do more for him, but I also know I can’t do too much without hurting his pride.

His house is surprisingly clean for how distraught he sounds. It’s a small trailer with what seems to be one bedroom. I can see a twin-size bed where a sitting area would be with a yellow bedspread and a folded, floral, cotton comforter. The house is tidy, and everything has its place. I don’t take too much time scanning the area, so he doesn’t feel like I’m prying.

“She’s in my room, let me see if she’s okay with you coming in.” Jake opens one of two doors off to the side. A few beats into him being in the room I hear the door swing open.

“Mr. Hill!” Jake’s voice is loud and strangled; my feet move before my mind can think. “She won’t answer me!” Tears are running down his face and his breaths are coming quick and shallow.

My heart sinks to my stomach as I push into the room to see Sharon lying listless on Jake’s bed. Within a few steps, I clear the space between the door and the bed, then go to kneel beside her. Her chest is rising and falling heavily and her breaths sound shallow and harsh.

“Sharon,” I call out firmly. She stirs but doesn’t say anything. I bring my hand to her forehead and without a thermometer, I can tell she’s burning up.

“Bring me the thermometer, Jake.” He quickly rips open the box and hands me a digital ear thermometer.

I slide it into her ear, and she grumbles, “Jake, I’m fine. I just need to sleep…”

“102.4; what did the pharmacist give you? To give her?” I look over my shoulder and Jake is hugging the plastic bag and staring at us. I can feel his fear slinking into the air.

“Jake, we need to give her something to help bring her fever down. After that, we can decide what to do. I can tell she’s just feeling rough right now because her temp is so high.” I stand up and move over to where Jake is frozen. He can’t take his eyes off his mother.

I have seen my parents and brother sick plenty of times. Sure, there were times when it sucked and I felt sad, but this kid is terrified. His mind is only thinking one thing, and that’s what he would do without her.

I won’t let that happen. I won’t let Jake feel like he’salone. I won’t let his mom get worse than she is right now. If this medicine doesn’t kick this fever, then we’ll drive to the best hospital we can get to.

I reach out, taking the plastic bag that is tight in Jake’s grasp. His eyes shoot up to mine and every thought I just had is confirmed. In his eyes, I see a desperation that I have been lucky enough to never experience. A feeling I know I’ll face one day, but Jake is feeling it all right now.

“Let’s give her some of this medicine. It will do wonders, I promise.” Jake just nods as he hands me the bag. I pull out two anti-fever medications.

“The pharmacist told me to give her one. She said if her fever is real bad to give her the other one in a little bit. Should we just give both right now?” Jake walks over to his bed and sits next to his sleeping mother, pushing her hair out of her face.

“I don’t think bodies are supposed to be this hot, Mr. Hill.” His voice is small.

“They aren’t, but this medicine will get it where it needs to be.” I pull out the first one and open it. Two pills for what I imagine her weight would be. The bag also holds Pedialyte and Gatorade. I go with Gatorade first to see if she can even get it down.

I hadn’t realized I had taken a minute to gather everything, and I look up to find Jake with the thermometer in his ear.

Shit.

“Mr. Hill! My temp is 97.9! Didn’t you say she was 102?!” He’s mortified.

“Yes, son. Her body heats up to kill whatever bug she’s got. My ma would let us get some pretty high temps to let our body do its thing. I think she said anything under 101 we needed to do without help. So, she’s not too far fromthat. Let’s give your mom a little extra help.” I walk over and kneel at the side of the bed.

“Jake, I’m going to have to wake up your mom. She’s a little out of it, so I might have to yell or shake her a little. Do you want to step out?”

“No!” He grabs her hand tightly.

“Alright. Hold these.” I hand over the two pills and Jake takes them cooperatively. Setting that Gatorade down I grasp both Sharon’s shoulders and give her a gentle squeeze.

“Sharon,” I say with a firm tone. She just squints.

“Sharon,” I say louder and give her shoulders a tighter squeeze. She turns toward me and nods once. That’s a good sign to me, but not enough for her to drink.

“Sharon!” I feel the bed shake as Jake jumps from my loud voice. She doesn’t move this time though. I’m about to scare the life out of this kid by calling 911 if I can’t get her up. The scenario is playing at a hundred miles per minute when I feel her shoulder turn.

“Hunter?” Her voice is raspy. “What in the… What are you doing here?” Sharon’s eyes are open and red. I don’t have time to explain before she’s out again.

“Jake brought you some medicine for your fever and didn’t know how much to give. Take this.” I lift her head in one of my hands and grab the pills from Jake with the other. She doesn’t fight me or ask for more, she takes the medicine and a small sip of the Gatorade.

“That boy. I told him I just needed some sleep.” She smiles with her eyes closed and lets out a heavy sigh. “Sorry for the trouble.”

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