“Ugh!” Kara flipped herself around to face away from the door. She didn’t have to see either of them. What if Dr. Joe got strict with her? Would he check her temperature again? Brody would probably ask him to.
“Hey, Joe. Thanks for coming over,” Brody said warmly and closed the door.
“It’s no problem. I’ve got a call or two later on in the day, but nothing else. I don’t have to be in the office today.” The low baritone of the doctor’s voice carried across the room.
“Hi, Katie,” Brody addressed the doctor’s wife. “Kara isn’t feeling well enough to play, but we’ve got a lot of movies. Kara also told me she wanted to get into more crafty things, so I picked up a few kits. They’re on the kitchen table if you want to look at them in a bit.”
“Thank you!” a younger-sounding Kaitlyn piped up as she entered the room. She gasped when she arrived at the couch. “Is she sick-sick?”
“Kara isn’t contagious or anything, but her head is dizzy. Maybe you can watch a movie later?” Brody’s voice sounded closer and she felt him press a kiss to her head. “Dr. Joe and Katie are here, honey. Please listen. I’ll be home in a few hours.”
“Mmumph,” Kara mumbled, not wanting to let them know she wasn’t sleeping.
“Can I sit on the couch next to Kara, daddy? I brought my favorite blanket, and I’ll be really quiet,” Katie begged.
“Yes, but don’t wake up Kara.” Dr. Joe’s voice sounded closer. She imagined him sitting in the armchair nearest the couch.
Kara felt Katie tentatively climb onto the couch. She situated herself at the far side of it but her feet reached hers. She poked at Kara’s feet a little, soothingly not annoyingly, and that made Kara smile. Even in her littler mindset she wanted to comfort.
Kara heard the TV turn on and then several minutes later the low hum of cartoons filtered across the room.
“I love ponies,” Katie whispered. “I hope when you feel better you can come over and play with me.”
Kara thought about her statement for a long time. She was in her teen type of mindset—she’d been stuck in it since the other day at the doctor’s office—but the idea of going over to Katie’s house to play sounded incredibly appealing. Could she do something like that?
“I can see you smiling. I know you’re awake…” Katie whispered again. “We can brush their hair and make them go on an adventure…”
“Katie…” Dr. Joe warned from his spot. She was certain he was near the couch now since Katie’s voice had been very low. “Let Kara be.”
“I just want her to know she can like, come over and stuff.”
Kara imagined the sweet woman pouting, and finally she turned outwards. “It’s okay, and um, I’ll think about it.” She tugged her feet closer to her body so she didn’t take up the whole couch. “Thank you for staying. I’m still not quite all better.”
“Did your daddy give you Tylenol this morning?” Dr. Joe set his laptop down on the coffee table. He was dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, but even without the lab coat and stethoscope he looked authoritative.
Kara bit her lip. After the whole fiasco, she never got around to asking for the Tylenol.
“Um, well… he was supposed to.” Kara cuddled deeper under the blankets. Dr. Joe raised an eyebrow, and she had a funny feeling she would have to explain. “But, um, he had to go to work and all.”
“That doesn’t sound very responsible. Did something happen?”
Katie piped up loudly, “I bet Kara didn’t do what she was told!”
Kara shot a glare at the smaller woman, who glared right back.
“When I don’t feel good my daddy takes my temperature and gets me medicine. So, I don’t think you listened!”
“Katie, you have to remember not everything that happens in our house happens everywhere. Apologize to your friend for yelling.” Dr. Joe motioned for Katie to hurry.
“I’m sorry, Kara, but I bet you really didn’t!” Katie got up from the couch and went over to him. “Her eyes are all tired. She looks sick, daddy!”
“Katie, why don’t you go into the kitchen and see what craft sets Brody bought for today? I’ll come check on you in a few minutes.” Dr. Joe’s tone went deeper than normal, and Kara worried about what him sending Katie out of the room meant.
“I’m sorry.” Katie threw her arms around him in a bear hug. “Yes, I’ll go.” She passed by the couch and patted Kara’s hand. “I just want you to get better so we can have fun.”
“I know. It’s okay,” Kara assured her, then watched as she dashed off to find the kitchen. For the first time, she noticed how adorable Katie’s outfit was.
The other woman had on tights with bubbles of all colors randomly splashed over them, a long purple tee-shirt, and a pink and black sweater on top. Her short black hair was pulled up in a high ponytail that bounced as she went out of the room.
Kara wasn’t surprised at her choice of clothing but instead at the notion of her coming out in public. She liked her bravery and hoped spending more time with her was on the horizon.
Then Dr. Joe cleared his throat, and she realized he had asked her something.
“I’m sorry, I was… well, it doesn’t matter. What did you ask me?”
“Did you have a fever today?”
Kara swallowed hard as she tried to think of a way to reply without prompting him to verify the information. “I didn’t really get around to checking it,” she admitted, though somewhat reluctantly.
He had been insistent in his office about the more accurate method, and she didn’t want to argue with him. It hadn’t been an entirely unpleasant experience, especially with everything else she had gone through later on, but now they were at her house. It felt different.
“Did your daddy ask you to?”
Kara nodded slowly but didn’t answer.
“But you refused?”
She nodded again.
“Where is the thermometer now?” Dr. Joe folded his arms across his chest.
“It’s upstairs in the bathroom.” Kara swallowed again. “In the cabinet over the sink,” she squeaked, “next to the toothpaste.”
“For someone who didn’t want to listen, you sure remember where you left it.” Dr. Joe reached down to feel her head, then straightened. “Why don’t you go get it so we check and see if the fever is back? Then you can take some medicine.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Kara shoved the blankets off and stood up. “I have to get up anyway.” She teetered slightly and Dr. Joe helped her steady herself. “Thanks. I was on the couch like all day.”
He let go of her slowly, and she carefully moved to the stairs. She wasn’t thrilled about the idea of him sticking the thermometer in her bottom again, but she knew if she’d only done it this morning when Brody told her to, it would have been a non-issue.
Kara went into the bathroom and found the instrument. She studied the tiny glass rod in its red case for a minute before using the bathroom. She washed her hands, remembered the tiny jar of petroleum jelly that had been included in the gift basket, and took the items back downstairs.
Kara could have refused to let Dr. Joe do it, but Katie had said he took her temperature when she was sick. Maybe she should just let him take care of her instead of worrying about every little thing. He already saw lots of parts of her the other day.
She saw Dr. Joe walking back into the living room from the kitchen. Kara didn’t say a word, but made her way carefully to the couch. She set the objects on the coffee table, then looked up at him.
“I went to check on Katie. She’s working on this really complicated paint-by-numbers on velvet.” Dr. Joe picked up the thermometer and shook it down. “It’s neat because you can use paint, or markers, or really any materials to color it in.” As he spoke, he opened the jar and twirled the instrument twice.
Kara raised an eyebrow. “You did that without even looking.” How many times a day did this man do this procedure?
She carefully lay back down on the couch. Did eve
ryone who visited the office get it done this way?
“I guess I’ve had a lot of practice.” Dr. Joe smiled warmly. “Go ahead and roll onto your tummy for me.”
Kara took a deep breath and quickly situated herself. She tugged her fluffy kitty-cat pajama bottoms down past her hips and did the same with her panties. Dr. Joe sat at the edge of the couch and covered her with one of the lighter blankets. He folded the top down just far enough to get to the spot he needed, and then he spread her cheeks. She squirmed as the tip of the rod touched her most private place, but she relaxed as soon as it was in.
His cell phone chirped just as he fixed the blanket over her. “I’m sorry, but I have to take this. Stay still.” Dr. Joe answered on the second ring. “Hello? This is Joe. Uh-huh… uh-huh. What is it?” The person on the other end babbled into his ear. “Who?”
Kara felt her face grow hot. He was talking to someone while he took her temperature! She knew the other person would have no way of knowing what he was doing, but she wiggled impatiently. Dr. Joe sensed the movement and rested his hand on top of the blanket on her lower back.
“It’s almost done. Stay. Still,” Dr. Joe whispered. Then he raised his voice again, “Yes, she is allergic to that medication. It should be in her file. Oh, the server is down?” He shifted his hand away once Kara stopped moving. “Uh-huh. Okay, so if it’s not fixed when I’m back tomorrow, I’ll call for a technician to come out.”
Kara huffed, really wanting this ordeal to be over with. She felt acutely aware of the slim object inside of her, and she wanted it out.
“Hasn’t it been in long enough?” Kara pouted, but kept her voice really low.
“No problem. Right. Call me again if you need me. Thanks.” Dr. Joe ended the call. He clucked his tongue at her as he removed the thermometer. “A doctor I work with called to ask about one of my patients.” He smacked one hand against each of her sit-spots—not really hard, but it stung enough to send a message. “Next time, do what your daddy tells you when he tells you to. Then you won’t have to worry about interrupting a business call.”
“Ow! I’m sorry, Dr. Joe. I won’t act up again!” His hands were massive and they stung as bad as a paddle. “Do I still have a fever?” Kara shimmied her panties and pants back up.
He gently tucked the blankets around her and she realized she was grateful for his presence, despite her protests.
“You do have a fever, young lady, all the way up to one-hundred and two. No wonder you feel so miserable.” He set the thermometer on a napkin next to the case, then got to his feet. “I’ll get you something to lower it. Rest, honey. I’ll let Katie come back in too.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t listen. I’ll tell my daddy about it when he comes home.” Kara gave him a small smile, then curled herself up on her side. Brody had been right to worry about her. One-hundred and two was a pretty high fever, and she felt crappy.
Katie came back into the room and cuddled up on the couch again. This time she snuggled against Kara’s legs. “I’m sorry I said mean things to you. Your eyes just looked sad and all, and I thought my daddy could help.”
“It’s okay. Your daddy did help. I’m glad you’re both here with me.”
Kara took the medicine that Dr. Joe brought to her. Then he patted Katie’s head and they both fell asleep, happily watching a movie about cartoon ponies and their friendships. Sometime later she felt something lift off of her, and opened her eyes.
Dr. Joe had picked Katie up into his arms and she had somehow stayed asleep. He reached down and patted her cheek. “We’ll see you when you’re feeling better.”
“M’kay. Thanks.” Kara’s eyes fluttered shut again, too tired to force herself awake.
* * *
“Kara?” Brody shook her shoulder gently again, and this time she opened her eyes. “How are you feeling?”
“Oh? Um… better I think.” Kara sat up and rubbed her eyes. “Is it still today?”
Brody smiled. “I let you sleep on the couch because you looked so peaceful. I think your fever broke last night. You don’t feel warm anymore.”
Kara quickly eyed the coffee table, and he followed her gaze.
“I didn’t check it, but I heard you let Dr. Joe do it. I’m happy you listened while I was at work.”
Truth be told, when Joe gave an overview of their afternoon, Brody had beamed with pride over Kara’s acceptance of the doctor. Of course, Brody had asked her to listen, but sometimes she had other ideas.
“I should have taken care of it when you asked me yesterday morning.” Kara wrapped her arms around his neck. “Katie had a lot of fun with the craft stuff, but she, uh, asked me to come play with her someday. I told her I’d like to, but I’m not a kid, you know?”
Brody was having trouble reading her at the moment. She sounded a bit like she was in her teen mindset, but it was a bit unclear. “You know you can be whatever age you want to be when you have your time, right?”
Kara frowned, as if not quite understanding. “But, I’m not little.”
He smirked and ran his hand down her cheek. “You don’t have to act five, babe. It’s your thing, and I hope you know I’ll support your choices.”
Kara flushed almost as red as her hair. “No, Brody. I’m not physically little. How could I possibly go over to Katie’s and pretend I’m like seven or something when I’m… this?”
“If you refer to your body as a ‘this’ again, you won’t have to worry about going over to Katie’s or anywhere for the next week. Don’t feed your brain negative thoughts. The size of your body has nothing to do with your mindset.”
She sucked in a breath, then nodded. “Fine, I’ll think about it. Oh, before I forget. Thank you for having Dr. Joe and Katie come over. They helped me feel a lot better.”
“I’m glad. Joe and I also spoke about you going to the office next week to do some filing. They are desperate from some extra hands. What if you picked up about fifteen hours a week? It would get you out into the community. Maybe you’d even make more friends.”
Kara shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it. You know how I feel about doctor’s offices.”
“My other thought was that it would help you get over your fear. Anyway, it’s something to think about after you go there. We can talk more about it later.” Brody squeezed her hand, then got to his feet. “I’ve got a project to wrap up later on, but I’m home today. Is there anything you need?”
“I feel sort of gross. I really want to take a shower, but I don’t think I can stand up that long. Plus it takes forever to wash my hair.”
“What if I fill the tub for you? Then you can sit down so you’re not unsteady on your feet. Wash up, and I’ll come in to help with your hair.”
“You’d do that?” Kara whispered in awe. “I mean, you’re so busy—”
“It’s no big deal.” Brody kissed her forehead, then slid her arms away from his neck. “Come on, you’ll feel like a different person.” He helped her to her feet and supported her as they went upstairs.
“Thanks…” Kara trailed off as they went into the bathroom. She sat down on the closed toilet lid and watched him as he tested the water and added her favorite lilac smelling bubble bath.
“Go ahead. When you get to your hair, call me.” Brody patted her shoulder, then left the bathroom.
* * *
Kara got undressed and sank down into the bathtub. The water felt amazing on her skin, and she smiled. Brody always knew exactly what to do to make her calm down and relax.
She took her time washing her body, but not too long since she didn’t want the heat to disappear. After the last part of her body had been scrubbed clean, she called, “Brody!”
He came in about thirty-seconds later. True to his word, he leaned down against the side of the tub and used a cup to wet her hair. “I guess I never realized how long your hair is.”
“Yeah, it’s all the way past my butt.” Kara leaned into his hands as he lathered the shampoo into her sc
alp. It smelled wonderful, like coconut, but felt even better. She loved the way his hands worked the soap into her hair, and it felt even better when he used fresh water to rinse it out. He repeated the process with her conditioner and she nearly moaned from the sweet sensations. He had such amazing hands, and having them focused on her head made her tingly. “You have great hands.”
“Oh yeah?” Brody nuzzled against her neck. “I’m glad you enjoy them.”
“Can you show me what else you do with your hands in a much more adult way?” Kara dipped her head back to lick along his bottom lip. She rotated outwards so she could face him, and captured his mouth in hers. “Please, baby?”
Brody broke the kiss and ran his hands down her face. “Are you sure? If you weren’t feeling well yesterday…”
“I read online, you know on one of those smart sounding medical websites, that fucking is the best medication.”
“I think you confused articles. Laughter is the best medicine.”
“Only if you’re fucking a clown,” Kara deadpanned but couldn’t keep the wicked grin off her face.
“You little brat.” Brody nearly smacked the faucet release to get the water to drain. “Come on, stand up. I’ll show you my greatest talent involving my hands.”
“It better not involve my ass.” Kara gasped as he picked her up and out of the tub and wrapped her in a towel. He had a strange smile on his face and she couldn’t tell exactly what he had in mind. “Unless, of course, we’re trying new things?”
“I guarantee you won’t be laughing when I get through with you,” Brody warned, but his serious face dissolved into a huge grin. “Come on, baby. I’ve got evil plans.” He wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her steady, and they moved up the hallway towards their room.
Kara let the towel drop somewhere along the way and lay down on the bed. Brody crawled on top, licking her as he moved from her knees to her thighs, then up and over her hips, and stopping at her waist. He nuzzled her there before placing his mouth against each of her breasts and sucking on each nipple as he made his way higher, nibbling on her collarbone and finally kissing her neck softly. She melted into a puddle when his lips brushed across hers, and she moaned loudly. “I want you.”
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