Free This is Living (Living #1.5) by Melody Dawn

run down he is. I don’t think he has ever been this sick since I’ve known him.”
    Shaking her head in agreement, she says, “He really is running himself ragged. I know residencies are tough but he works way too many shifts beyond what is required of him. Although, that’s how he’s been since he was a little boy. Always doing more than what had to be done.”
    I tell her he is off for the next two days and she says we should just stay with them since I’m going to need help with the boys along with taking care of Jayson.
    At first, I think we should go home, but quickly change my mind at her next words.
    “Honey, get ready to pull your hair out…men are not fun patients…and when they are doctors and are sick…trust me, he’s going to make you crazy.”
    We both laugh and then lapse into silence. We’re both thinking the same thing. His being sick is not really the problem; it’s just a symptom. And neither one of us knows what to do or how to fix the situation.
    While we’re sitting there, Phillip comes in and I fill him in on Jayson’s condition. Not wanting Phillip or Ava to think I’m being unsupportive, I tell them how I feel.
    “I know this is his career choice and I will always support him in every way possible. I only wish there was a way to make things easier for him. If I know him, he’s just going to say that this is a little thing and there’s nothing to it.”
    Both are agreeing with me so I decide to let it all out. “I don’t know how he can keep going at the rate he is now, especially with the fact that even with his residency ending, his never-ending shifts aren’t going to change.”
    I stare down at my hands with my next words because I’m afraid to see their reaction. “I’m afraid our marriage is going to suffer…in fact, it has already started to.”
    Tears fill my eyes and I’m surprised when I feel Phillip’s arms wrap around me. He’s not usually demonstrative like this so it makes the moment even more poignant.
    After a moment, he pulls back and says, “Don’t give up yet. I know Jayson will figure this out. Tell him how you feel.”
    He grins at me and I can see so much of Jayson and Connor in that gesture. “Of course, it might be good to wait until he’s not delirious with fever.”
    “I don’t know…that might be when I need to tell him.”
    I tell them both that I need to do something to keep myself from dwelling on it too much. I decide to go and pick up some medicine at Walgreens and some soup from Panera Bread…if nothing else, I can at least try to help him feel better.
    Leaning down, I give my babies soft kisses so they won’t wake up. Ava tells me not to worry and that they will be fine with her while I’m gone.
    Grabbing my purse, I head out to my car and mentally begin making a list of what we’re going to need for the next couple of days. I decide to stop by our house first before my other errands to get everything we will need for our stay with Jayson’s parents. If nothing else, it will take my mind off of the problem at hand because at this moment, I don’t have an answer and I know we are going to need one soon.

N ever have I felt as shitty as I have these last two days. Every bone in my body ached, my throat felt like I gargled with rocks, and I alternated sweating and freezing my ass off. Not to mention I couldn’t breathe out of one side of my nose, which might sound funny and not too serious, but trust me, I haven’t been laughing.
    I tried to tough it out and act like it was no big deal, but I finally gave in and let Chloe take care of me. And trust me, she loved every minute of telling me what to do. Drink this, take that pill, pull those covers down…you get the idea.
    Secretly, I loved her taking care of me just as much as she did. Even though I couldn’t see my boys and all I’ve seen is my old bedroom for the last two days, it felt like the times when it was just her and I.
    Along with watching a ton of TV, I’ve been