Читать книгу Respect the Dead - Shawn McLain - Страница 10

Even before entering the living room Wes could tell that Reg was worse, much worse. “I asked you to watch him.” His mother hissed. She hurried to her husband’s side. Placing a hand on his forehead she called to her son. “Get me a wet wash cloth.”

“How is he?” Wes asked his mother, placing a hand on her shoulder. She hugged it with her face and shoulder while she held the damp cloth to her husband’s forehead.

Reginald Baker lay on the couch gripping a blanket around him tightly. He also had three other blankets covering him. Sweat poured off his head while he shivered violently under the heap of covers. His skin was pale, his eyes half closed. Suddenly he erupted in a fit of coughing. It was a harsh dry hacking cough. It sounded as if it was ripping at Reg’s throat and lungs. It hurt Wes’ chest just to hear it.

“Do you need me to go back out and get try to get something?” Wes asked his mother.

“I don’t know. No. There was nothing left when I was just out. We’ll probably have to get more. I just don’t know when they’ll get more. It seems everyone is sick. ” She sighed. “It just, nothing seems to help. I don’t want to give him anything else, he’s had these and these already.” She motioned to the open boxes of could relief and bottles of cough syrup. “I was just hoping to find something better.”

“Well this is something to look forward to.” Wes shuddered while rubbing his chest. Walking around the couch he knelt down to check on Reg. “How you feeling old dude?”

Reg gave a weak smile that turned into another coughing fit. “I don’t feel the best right now kiddo.” He wheezed, “But I’ll be fine soon.” He tried to give his wife a reassuring smile. He then shivered and wrapped himself more tightly in the blanket.

“Grab another blanket form the closet will you?” Wes’ mother asked. He hurried to the closet, every step the concern within him grew. Returning to the couple he held out the last blanket they had, Reg seemed to be covered in all the others.

“What else can I do Mom?” He asked as she sat on the floor next to the couch helping her husband get a drink. She looked up at him shaking her head. “I can get the comforter from my room.”

“I’m ok guys, seriously. Just a bad bug.” Reg tried to calm them. He coughed then smiled, “besides, that thing will only get me sicker. When was the last time you washed it?” His laugh turned into more coughs.

“If you are not better by tomorrow I am taking you to the doctor and that is that.” Wes smiled as his mother lay down the law. “Now get some sleep. I’m just going to read for a bit. Wes I’m sorry but I need you here to help and… I...I’m just happy you are home. In case I need something.”

“It's ok Mom. I’m worried about the old guy too.” He knew she didn’t need him home to help but needed his support. He headed up to his room listening as Reg broke out into another fit of coughs that ended in a moan. As soon as he closed the door to the bedroom his phone rang, It was Beth.