Under His Care

by Jamie Knight

  Instead of texting, I hit the call button. I take a deep breath as the phone connects and starts ringing. I don't want him to worry or hurt anymore, and I'm worried that my refusal of his date may have done that.

  Being honest with him is the only way to fix the situation.

  Chapter 9

  Chris

  I'm busy looking over one of the papers that Stacey forwarded me. She graded it correctly, as always. I spent the morning drinking coffee and working out in my living room. I'm surprised that I haven't heard from her in a while. I don't even know if she got my last text message.

  I don't think I did anything to offend her or push her away, but I’m not sure. Maybe kissing her like that in public was rushing into things, but I don't think it bothered her. At least, it didn't seem like it did.

  I get up to fix myself some lunch; it's already the afternoon. No more work has come through yet, which worries me a little bit. I'm carrying my chips and sandwich back to the living room when my phone rings. I put my food down. Looking at the caller ID, I hurry to answer it.

  "Stacey, is everything ok?" I ask worriedly. It's a surprise that she’s called me.

  "Um, hi. Um, no, not really," she says in a hesitant tone.

  "Whatever’s wrong, you can tell me," I say, reassuring her.

  I can hear her take a deep breath on the phone before she continues talking. "Well, first, I want to apologize for ignoring you and cancelling our date. It's not that I didn't want to see you, it's just that… I didn't know how to say this to you."

  “Just say it.”

  "Well, I haven't been feeling good for a few days. Yesterday, it got worse, so I went to the hospital. I got tested, and they told me I have COVID-19. I needed to tell you so that you can get tested too."

  She starts to cry. I sit there in silence. I'm both shocked and saddened by this news. However, I don't like hearing Stacey cry like this.

  "It's ok, Stacey. It's nothing to worry about. I'm not upset at you. I'm glad you told me, because like you said, I can get tested now. Don't cry. I’ll call you later, ok?"

  "Ok, bye." She hangs up with a sob.

  I sigh and look around the room. I don't feel like I have any symptoms, but I still need to get to the hospital. I grab my phone, wallet, and keys and rush out the door, my lunch and work remaining forgotten for now.

  I spend the whole drive to the hospital worrying about Stacey, rather than myself. After I arrive, I explain to the nurse that I might have been exposed. They take me to see a doctor immediately.

  I'm tested very quickly, despite having no visible symptoms. I'm sent back into the waiting room to wait for my test results. Honestly, I'm not too worried about it; I feel fine. I'm more concerned about Stacey because she sounds like her sickness is getting worse. I wonder if there’s anything I can do to help her.

  A few seconds later, the doctor talks to me. I'm relieved to hear him say, "Your results are negative. You're free to go. Just be extra careful who you come into contact with."

  I leave the hospital and drive home. I call Stacey quickly to tell her.

  “Wow! That's such a relief,” she says happily. She still sounds sick, and that worries me.

  "Yes, it is. Go ahead and rest. I'll handle the rest of the work," I say.

  "No, it's my job. I like to help,” she says, even though she starts coughing after saying it.

  "No, you need to rest. As soon as you are well, you can work again," I say firmly.

  "Ok. You're right," she says weakly after she is done coughing.

  "Good. I'll call later to check on you. Get some rest now," I say softly.

  "Ok, I will,” she says before hanging up.

  I smile as I put the phone down and finish driving home. Once I get home, I quickly shower and change. It’s almost evening now. I sit in front of my computer and devour my leftover sandwich, which was still good.

  I clean up my dishes and go back to the living room to check my email. I see that Stacey forwarded me all the assignments so I can grade them. I type her a quick text. "Thank you for sending me all the work. I hope you are resting, as instructed."

  She texts back quickly. "Yes, doctor, I am. Haha. Don't work too hard."

  I laugh at her text and put the phone away. I don't want to bother her further. It takes an hour to grade these assignments; after, I enter them into the online grade book, where the students can view them.

  This is an all-night process, as some students email questions about their grades or the assignments. When I finish and move onto grading the next half, it's well after midnight. I post the next day's assignment before heading to bed.

  I wake up early in the morning, going through my routine of showering and exercising. After I eat a quick breakfast, I sit in front of the computer.

  I'm up early because I'm waiting for an announcement from the principal regarding the decision about reopening the school. I receive an email saying that the announcement will be made later this afternoon. The school district needs additional time to discuss and come to a decision.

  “Please check your email later for this announcement," the email concluded, and I sigh as I read it; I was hoping to know right away. Well, there's nothing I can do about that.

  The rest of the day is spent grading more assignments and answering a phone call from a parent regarding additional help or resources for a student who is having a hard time with the online work. I make notes of ways that I can help them.

  Around two in the afternoon, I finally receive the email from the principal.

  It reads: "Dear teachers and staff, we are sorry to inform you that, due to the rising fears and risks of the current pandemic, schools will be closed for the remainder of the year." I'm so sad to read this. I think about my students, and about Stacey.

  I quickly reach for my phone and text her about this. She responds quickly. "This is sad news. What are we going to do? The kids are going to be so sad." I can feel her sadness and worry in that message.

  "Don't worry. Things will be fine. Just keep resting, and I'll keep handling the work."

  She texts back: "Okay."

  I hope my words did the trick and calmed her. I focus on grading papers once more.

  The days fall into a similar routine. I implemented a new strategy of sharing helpful links or videos with the students who need a more detailed explanation of each assignment; this seems to help them out a great deal.

  I'm starting to feel a little sadder these days. I miss going to the school. I miss my students. I miss Stacey most of all. I think about her every day. I always text her and check in on her, but it's not the same.

  A few days later, I'm watching TV, waiting to grade the next batch of assignments, when I get a text message from an unknown number.

  It reads: "Go to the park. Follow social distancing protocols."

  That's weird. I think it must be a joke or something, so I ignore it. A few minutes later, I get the same text again.

  Could it be from Stacey? No, I have her number saved already. Curiosity gets the better of me after a few moments, and I get dressed and walk down the street to the park.

  I wait by the entrance, looking out at the street as I do. I text the number back. "I am here."

  I get a quick response of "Turn around."

  I'm a little cautious, but I follow the instructions. I'm not prepared for what I see. All spread out in the park are my students. They start clapping and cheering when they see me. Some are holding balloons; some have signs that say, "Goodbye, Mr. Winston, and we'll miss you."

  I try to hold back my tears. I wave to them and call out, "Thank you. I'll miss you too."

  One of the students shouts, "Don't thank us! Thank Ms. Stacey. She planned this.”

  I'm overwhelmed by that. After a few more moments of being with my students, we all leave the park and head back home.

  I quickly text Stacey. "Do you have Facetime?"

  She replies a little while later with, "Yes."

  “Log on. I ne
ed to call you."

  A few minutes later, I'm back in my apartment. I fix my hair and clothes before I call her on Facetime.

  She answers a few seconds later. "Hi!" Her voice sounds a little hoarse and weak. Her face looks very pale and tired. "Did you like your surprise?" she asks, smiling weakly.

  "Yes. That was very sweet of you. Thank you so much for that. I don't know how you managed to pull it off,” I say.

  She shrugs. "Actually, it was pretty easy to do." She pauses to cough into a tissue. My heart aches for her.

  "How are you doing?" I ask her with concern.

  After she finishes coughing, she answers, "I'm doing good. A lot better than before."

  I can tell that she is putting up a front because we are talking. I can see how weak she is as she struggles to throw something away.

  "I want to come and take care of you,” I say.

  She looks at me in surprise. "Are you sure about that? I'm sick,” she says, uncertain.

  "I'm sure. I can’t leave you all alone like that. I need to take care of you. Besides, you are more than worth the risk,” I say.

  She gives me a tired smile. "Ok," she says.

  I smile back at her. “I’ll be over soon," I say.

  We end the call. I grab a bag and pack my laptop and other work-related stuff. I grab extra things I might need and throw them in the bag as well. I pause to make sure I have my wallet and keys. I tidy up the place a bit before I leave. I lock up behind me and then put my bag in the car.

  I text quickly, saying, "I'm on my way. See you soon."

  She texts back, "Yay! Can't wait."

  I smile as I drive away from my place. I know this is the right thing to do; I can't leave her by herself in her condition. Besides, I want to see her and be with her. I make a quick stop at the store, getting essential items like soup, tea, crackers, and other snacks to help her sickness. Soon, I'm back in the car and on my way.

  It's not that far to her apartment, but I make it there faster than I expected. I may have been speeding a little bit in my excitement to get to her. I text her to let her know that I'm outside. I grab everything from the car and walk into the building. I look at all the apartments. I see a door open and she waves for me. I can't keep the smile from my face as I walk over to her.

  "Hi there," I say as she opens the door wide for me.

  She smiles as happily as she can manage, then closes the door behind me. I quickly find the kitchen and take the bags in there.

  Chapter 10

  Stacey

  I'm so excited to have him here. I open the door and watch as he walks inside to my kitchen. I can hear him putting the bags of groceries down. I hurry and straighten up the living room as best as I can. He stands in the doorway of the kitchen.

  "Where do you keep your pots and pans?" he asks.

  I turn around and look at him in surprise. "You're cooking something?” I ask him with curiosity.

  "I'm making you some hot soup and tea,” he replies with a smile.

  I smile too. That's so sweet of him to do that. "Here, let me show you where they are," I say, walking towards him.

  "No, no, no,” he says in protest. He takes me gently by the shoulders and leads me back to the couch. "You just sit here and rest. I'll handle everything."

  I sit quietly on the couch. He picks up my blanket, folds it neatly, then covers me. Afterwards, he fluffs my pillows and props them up behind me.

  "Thank you,” I say. I love having him here, but I feel a little awkward. I've never had anyone take care of me like this.

  "No problem. That's what I'm here for,” he says.

  He looks around the room and finds the remote to the TV. He hands it to me, and I smile up at him gratefully.

  "The pots are in the bottom cabinet to the left of the stove," I say.

  "Thank you,” he says with a smile.

  He walks off to the kitchen. A few seconds later, I can hear him pulling pots out of the cabinet. I breathe a sigh of happiness, but it makes me start to cough again. He hurries back out of the kitchen.

  "I forgot to give these to you,” he says as he hands me a bag of extra-strong cough drops.

  "Oh, thank you!" I say happily.

  I open the bag and pop one in my mouth. I can feel it soothe the ache in my throat. He smiles in response, then goes back into the kitchen.

  I put the cough drops on the table and turn on the TV, flipping through the channels. I can't find anything good on. I'm not in the mood to watch the news, either. I've had enough of hearing about all this sickness and quarantine.

  They are playing some comedy movie on one of the channels, and though I don't really like it, I leave it there for background noise.

  A few minutes later, Chris walks out of the kitchen, carrying a bowl of hot soup and some saltines.

  "Here you go. Just give it a little time to cool down. I'll be right back with your tea," he says.

  I smile at him as I sit up on the couch.

  "You are so sweet. You don't have to fuss over me like this,” I say.

  He shakes his head in disagreement.

  "I said I was going to take care of you. That’s what I’m here to do,” he says as he walks back to the kitchen.

  I watch the movie, blowing on my soup. I nibble on a few crackers as I wait for it to cool down. When it's finally ready, I take a small spoonful. I'm surprised at how good it tastes, so I quickly eat more. The warm broth feels good against my sore throat.

  "How’s your soup?" he asks as he returns with a cup of tea.

  He also brings some sugar, lemon, and honey, setting it all on the coffee table and sitting on the carpet across from me.

  "It’s delicious! What kind is this?" I ask between mouthfuls.

  He smiles, pleased.

  "It’s regular chicken noodle, but I added things like garlic and other flavors to it,” he says with a shrug.

  "Well, it's the best soup I have ever had,” I say.

  I grab more crackers and continue eating. He watches me happily for a few minutes, then turns around to watch the TV. I finish my soup as he watches the movie in silence. I lean forward to put my bowl on the coffee table.

  "I don't know if you like this movie or not. I can give you the remote if you want to change it?" I say.

  He turns to me.

  "No, it's ok. I actually wanted to talk to you instead,” he says.

  I reach for my tea and start mixing everything in it.

  "What about?" I ask him as I take a tentative sip of it.

  "Well,” he says as he turns to face me. I can tell this is going to be a serious conversation, so I give him my full attention. "Ok. Well, I don't know if it's obvious or not by now, but I do have feelings for you. If I didn’t, I wouldn't be here,” he says.

  I put the tea down and look at him. Shyly, I reach out to hold his hand.

  "I feel the same way. Actually, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world because you’re here, risking your health and life to take care of me," I say.

  He smiles again. "I told you, you’re more than worth it."

  I smile at his words, then frown again.

  "I'm just worried that us being together will cause problems. I work for you," I reply, sounding a little sad.

  He gives my hand a gentle squeeze.

  "That's what I was going to tell you. I think us being together will work out,” he says, sounding a little excited.

  "What do you mean?" I ask, looking up at him curiously.

  "Well, next year, you won't be my TA anymore. You’re being promoted to a new job,” he says proudly.

  I look at him in shock. I don't know what to say. I have so many questions to ask him.

  "I'm not going to say any more about it now. I want you to rest up and get well first,” he says.

  I nod my head in agreement and sip more of my tea. He squeezes my hand softly, then goes back to watching TV. I feel so happy, having him here. I finish my tea and soup. I watch quietly as he cleans up the dishes and sit
s beside me on the couch. He looks bored by the movie, just like I am.

  I put another cough drop in my mouth and say, "I have video games, if you'd rather play."

  He turns and looks at me with his mouth open in surprise.

  "You play video games?" he says after a few moments.

  I nod in response. I get up and plug in the console. I go back to the couch and hand him a controller.

  "This is actually my favorite game," I say.

  He looks shocked again when he sees it's a shooting game. He turns to me and gives me the biggest smile I have ever seen. We spend the rest of the afternoon playing on the same team. I feel so happy with him.

  Chapter 11

  Stacey

  It's been two weeks. I have to say I feel incredible now. That felt like the longest period of my entire life. Even though I have no more visible symptoms, Chris still took me to the hospital.

  He held my hand the entire time, talking video games with me while we waited for my results. We both sighed with visible relief when they said my results were negative. I had recovered completely. When we were back in the car, he gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.

  "I'm so happy to finally be through with this sickness," I say happily as we pull up outside of my apartment.

  "I bet. That was a scary thing to go through,” he says sympathetically.

  He holds my hand as we walk back to my apartment. I pull the keys out of my purse and let us inside. He goes to the kitchen table, where we had both set up our computers to work side-by-side. He checks his emails and social media.

  I turn the radio in the living room on. Light pop music fills the air.

  "I hope this isn't bothering you?" I say.

  "No, it’s enjoyable,” he says with a smile.

  As he uses his computer in the kitchen, I listen to music and disinfect the living room. I take my pillows and blankets down to the laundry room and wash and dry them. Once they are clean, I take them back to the apartment, fold them, and put them away.

  Afterwards, I spray the couch and living room with deodorizer and air freshener. I wipe the coffee table and every other surface down with disinfectant wipes. Satisfied, I clean the rest of the apartment. Once I'm done, I walk into the kitchen. I open the fridge and pull out a bunch of food.