Page 8 of Bash

“Not even once.”

“Positive for flu, sweet girl. Covid is negative,” Elliot said, after studying the rapid test.

“What is our course of treatment?” I asked, relieved it wasn’t something worse.

“I’ll send some prescriptions for medication to help with symptoms and a cough medicine just in case she needs it over to the pharmacy. Lots of rest and fluids. Fever reducers every four hours for the next several days. Even if she isn’t running a fever, it will help with her body aches.”

Reaching out, I stroked a hand over Allyson’s curls. “Does your body hurt, babygirl?”

“Just a tiny bit,” she answered. I could tell a tiny bit meant a lot.

“You can have some more medicine in half an hour,” I told her. I was keeping a close eye on the time.

“Yes, Sir.”

Her honorifics brought a smile to my face and my heart swelled with pride. I couldn’t wait for her to answer “yes, Daddy” but Sir was good too.

“Do you want a sucker for being a good girl?” Elliot asked.

Her eyes lit up, but she shook her head no. “That’s okay. Thank you. I really appreciate you coming out. I don’t have any cash, but I have my debit card or I can use Venmo.”

“You are not paying me, Little girl,” Elliot said. “I am here as a friend.”

“Oh, look. He has pink suckers. Pink is your favorite color,” I said, reaching and taking one out of Elliot’s hand. She wanted the candy, we both could tell she did, but her fear kept her from accepting it. She was so willing to give, but it seemed she reallystruggled with taking. It was okay, we’d work on it. I tucked it into my bedside table for her. “Maybe you can have it when you’re not so nauseous, yeah?”

She smiled and nodded. “Thank you for helping me, Mr. Elliot.”

He placed his hand over his heart. “You are precious, Little girl. I’m glad we found you.”

“I’m glad to have been found,” she said before coughing. “Uh-oh.”

Elliot nodded. “I’m not surprised, Little one. I’m sure it will become much deeper over the next few days. Be a good girl and rest, okay?”

“Yes,Sir.” She nodded.

I tucked her back in before climbing off the bed and showing Elliot out. “Do you need me to pick her medicine up for you?”

“I appreciate it, but Leland already offered.”

“Alright, call me if she gets worse.”

Taking out my wallet, I pulled out a wad of cash and tried to hand it to him.

He glared at me, but didn’t say anything.

I chuckled and shoved it back in my wallet. “Thank you.”

Elliot was such a good friend to us. He never took payment even though we always tried to pay him.

“Every time one of you try and pay me, I get indigestion,” he grumbled.

“Mr. Elliot! Mr. Elliot!” Allyson yelled, running to the top of the stairs.

“No running!”

“Be careful!” I shouted at the same time Elliot did.

“When can I go back to work? I already missed today and Mr. Leland is going to be so upset if I miss more days. Can I go back tomorrow if I wear a mask?”

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