Page 21 of Big Catch
Becca rubs his damp hair. “It started a couple days ago with a mild fever, now he has a rash. I went to the clinic, but the doctor is not in.”
Alyssa climbs to her feet. “Mind if I take a closer look at him?”
Becca’s eyes light. “You’re on vacation. I can’t ask—”
“It’s no problem,” Aly says.
“No problem at all,” I add and slide my hand around Aly’s back, just wanting to touch her.
“As long as it’s not too much trouble,” Becca says.
“No trouble at all.”
“Then please.” She gestures with a nod. “I live just up there. I’ll make tea.”
We walk with Becca back to her place. Ty kicks the ball back and forth with the boys as they lag behind, keeping them occupied so Alyssa can do her job. He’s such a good fucking guy, always able to read a situation. I love him so goddamn much.
“Is he okay?” I ask Aly as I brush the small of her back with my thumb.
“I think it’s fifth disease, but I want to check him out just to be sure.”
Once inside her small house, Becca takes her boy to one of the back bedrooms so Alyssa can examine him. I follow as Ty continues to distract Thomas and his brother Vin. He leads them to the table where their books are spread out. Apparently, Thomas and Vin are in for an impromptu math lesson. Probably a good thing, since I plan on giving them a surprise test when it’s my night to tutor.
I stand in the doorway and watch Alyssa work, a new kind of need burning low in my stomach. She is so in her element as she checks the little boy over, and my heart pinches as I watch her. Her caring ways and sweet bedside manner have put both Becca and Cecil at ease.
She covers little Cecil up with a light sheet and brushes his hair back. As his eyes close from exhaustion, she gestures with a nod to the hall. Becca holds her hands over her very big belly as we all convene outside the child’s bedroom.
“It’s fifth disease,” she says quietly. Becca frowns in worry, and Alyssa places a hand on her shoulder. “It’s a common childhood disease. Nothing to get too worked up about.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out some Tylenol. “You can give him this for his aches and pains, and to help reduce his fever. One pill every four hours, until he’s better. The rash will go away.” Alyssa narrows her eyes. “You need to take care of yourself. I’d be more worried if you were in your first trimester, but by the look of things you’re in your third.”
“I’m due next week,” she says. “Doctor Malcolm will be at the clinic, and he’ll be delivering.”
“Good, glad to hear that. There is a risk of transmission. Usually it’s spread before the rash appears, but just to be safe, keep your other boys separated for a few days. You should also make sure Cecil stays hydr
ated. Lots of water.”
Aly turns to me. The smile on her mouth slips, and she narrows her eyes as I stand there staring at her in awe. “What?” she asks.
As my heart crashes, I put my hand on her face. “Thanks,” I say.
Her small palm closes over mine and lingers there. “My pleasure.”
A loud laugh comes from the other room, and we turn toward the sound. “What’s going on in there?” she asks.
“I’ll show you.” I capture her hand and lead her into the kitchen where Tyler is sitting with Thomas and Vin.
As Becca pours a glass of water and takes it to Cecil, I lower my voice and say, “This is one of the ways we pay Becca for all she does for us. She only takes a small salary, because she wants her boys educated. They have school here, but we take things up a notch.”
Aly steps away from me and leans over Ty, her hand on his shoulders, her hair falling forward as she gazes at the books in front of him. “Math,” she groans. “Not my favorite.”
“It’s my favorite,” Thomas says. “When I grow up, I’m going to be an astronaut.”
“You sure are,” Ty says, “and I want tons of pictures from space.” Ty turns and drops a soft, quick kiss on Aly’s cheek. “Thanks,” he says quickly. Like me, Ty really cares about this family, and words can’t say how happy we are that Aly was eager to help while on vacation.
Both boys say, “Eww…” and we all grin.
“How is he?” Ty asks.
Aly gives Ty a reassuring smile. “He’s going to be just fine.”
