Merry Sickmas
Prompt: When everyone goes to the Philly house for Christmas Josh is so sick with a cold/fever that he legit can’t leave his bedroom since he has a crappy immune system due to nearly dying of a respiratory infection when he was born. when Maya hears coughing from one of the rooms her heart breaks because she knows what it’s like to be alone when you’re sick so she ditches dinner to take care of him even though he insists he’s fine by himself. (bonus points for sleepy and cuddly Josh!)
“Merry Christmas!” Maya and Riley said in unison along with their families as they entered the old house where Mr. Matthews grew up. Brushing the snow off of her coat, Maya put down her duffle bag and took in her surroundings. The house was just as she remembered from her visit in junior high, which seemed like just yesterday, but, in reality, years had gone by, and she was now a junior in high school. The only real differences Maya could notice were the Christmas decorations and the smells of ham and potatoes cooking in the kitchen along with the rest of the holiday feast.
“I’m so happy you guy’s could make it.” Amy cheered, moving from the kitchen doorway to greet each visitor with a tight hug.
Maya couldn’t help but smile at she embraced the elder Mrs. Matthews who smelled like gingerbread. The old woman was like a third mother to her, always so kind and sweet and offering advice when she could. It wasn’t hard to believe that Cory, Mr. Matthews, was cut from the same cloth, not at all.
Alan Matthews, Cory’s dad, had gotten up from the couch during their chaotic arrival and started giving hugs and handshakes of his own. Once everyone said their hellos, Cory asked, “Where is everyone else?”
“Morgan’s flight was cancelled due to the snow, so she won’t be here until tomorrow.” Amy answered.
“Yeah, and Eric had some last minute business to attend to, but he should arrive sometime tonight.” Alan informed the bunch.
“And Josh?” Maya queried before she could stop herself. "Auggie’s been really excited to see him.“ She added quickly, pulling the boy in question close to her side and patting him on the shoulder.
"Paws off the merchandise.” Auggie said, removing himself from Maya’s grasp. "If the wife smells your perfume on me, I’ll never hear the end of it.“
"You aren’t gonna see Ava for another week, I highly doubt–” Riley began to disagree with her brother but was interrupted.
“SHE HAS THE NOSE OF A BLOOD HOUND!” Auggie yelled as he gripped Riley’s sweater and pulled her down to meet his eyes straight on.
Riley’s eyes widened, but before she could respond, Topanga pulled her little boy away and attempted to calm him as she tried not to laugh.
Maya chuckled herself as Riley straightened out her red and green striped sweater dress. Looking up, she saw everyone was amused by Auggie’s little outburst, revealing some sort of smile or laugh… except for Amy. She offered a small smile, but it didn’t last as it was quickly replaced by a look of sadness. As her eyes began to water, Maya asked. "Mrs. Matthews, are you all right?“
"Mom, what’s wrong?” Cory chimed in as he took a step closer, suddenly worried.
“I’m fine, I just–” Amy started.
“Josh is sick.” Alan spoke up, wrapping a comforting arm around his wife’s back. "He’s upstairs sleeping off his fever. He’ll be fine, but you know your mother likes to worry.“
Everyone just nodded in response like his explanation made sense. Maya didn’t want to be rude so she nodded too, but she felt confused. Who cries over their 19 year old son being sick?
Topanga, always one to take control, spoke up to diffuse the situation even more. "Well, mom, how about Katy and I help you with dinner, while the boys take care of the bags?”
Amy nodded and the women headed toward the kitchen. Just then Alan stepped toward Cory and Shawn and informed them, “I got the basement finished, so you and your wives can stay down there on the air mattresses we’ve set up. The girls can share Morgan’s room.”
“What about me?” Auggie questioned.
“You can share with Josh once he’s feeling better, but until then you best bunk with your dad, kiddo.” Alan answered, ruffling his grandson’s hair affectionately. “C'mon, I’ll show you the way.” He added, walking his relatives to the newest area of the house.
As the men walked away, the girls took off their winter coats and boots.
Hanging her coat on the hook by the door, Maya just couldn’t keep quiet anymore and said, “So… you grandma… does she always get emotional like that when you guys are sick?”
“No, just Josh.” Riley answered, hanging up her own coat. “I know it seems silly, but him being sick reminds her of a dark time.”
Maya was immediately intrigued, so she quickly pulled her to the couch and said, “All right, spill.”
Riley took a deep breath then launched into the story her father told her a few years ago. She told Maya about the day Josh was born and how he couldn’t breathe on his own. She explained how he couldn’t leave the hospital for a while, but that, eventually, he got better and was able to leave.
“Wow.” Maya finally responded. "I had no idea.“
"Yeah…” Riley trailed off for a moment then went on. "and apparently, ever since then, his respiratory system has been a little sensitive, so when he gets even the littlest bit sick–“
"His mom gets taken back to the day he was born and the fear she felt for his well being.” Maya finished, understanding washing over her.
The room grew quiet for a long moment as both girls reflected on the story. Riley wasn’t as familiar with the feelings of sadness and pain as Maya, so thinking about the story quickly made her uncomfortable and made her the first to break the silence.
“Enough sad talk.” Riley said matter-of-factly. “Grandma is fine, Josh is fine-ish, we’re all fine, and, most importantly, it’s Christmas! So, let’s enjoy it.”
“You’re right, Riles.” Maya smiled. “Let’s go unpack.”
With that, the girls slipped off their shoes, put them by the door, and headed upstairs with their bags in tow.
Riley led Maya upstairs and down the hallway.
“Shh… That’s Josh’s room.” Riley informed her friend so she would not disturb her uncle’s rest. “Morgan’s room is right up here.”
Maya followed Riley a few more feet to a door on the opposite side of the hall. After dropping off their things, they headed back down stairs. Half way down the hall, Riley whisper yelled, “Aw, shoot!”
“My phone’s about die… I’ll be right back.” She said, then hurried back to Morgan’s bedroom.
Maya leaned against the wall and waited. As she did so, her eyes drifted toward the door across the hall to her left: Josh’s door. It was cracked open slightly, but it was dark, too dark to see anything from her position. So, she looked away, taking in the photographs that lined the hallway. There were tons of Amy and Alan and their children, including Shawn, at all ages. Her favorites were the line of wedding photos across from her, right next to Josh’s door. There was one of Amy and Alan, Cory and Topanga, and Shawn and Katy. They were framed in delicate, white, heart-shaped frames and each hung on a nail in the wall by a single white ribbon. They were fancy yet simple and Maya loved it, especially the one of her mom and Shawn. She still couldn’t believe it was real.
A sudden noise made her eyes dart back over to Josh’s door. It was a cough, then another cough, then suddenly he seemed to be choking on a cough. She was thinking about going over to check on him, but suddenly it stopped. As she sat in the quiet, Maya noticed her heart was racing.
Geez, no wonder Mrs. Matthews was so worried. He sounded terrible, and now that she knew the story about his birth, she wanted to cry too. However, before she could get too emotional, a quiet voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Sorry I took so long, my charger made its way to the bottom of my bag during the trip, but I found it.” She smiled.
“And now you can text Lucas to your little heart’s content.” Maya teased.
“That’s the plan.” Riley smiled, choosing to ignore Maya’s teasing. Maybe she was being excessive, I mean, the whole reason her phone died was because she had been texting Lucas the whole trip to Philly, but it was Christmas, and she missed her boyfriend. Who cares how many texts she sends?
Rolling her eyes, Maya smirked and replied, “Tell Huckleberry I said Happy Holidays.”
“I will,” Riley nodded. "but first… let’s find an outlet!“
Maya shook her head then followed her best friend back downstairs, but not before giving Josh’s door one last glance.
Dinner was nearly over and Maya’s plate was nearly full. It wasn’t that the food didn’t taste good, because it tasted great. Maya just didn’t have much of an appetite after hearing Josh sounding so sick. More than that, she felt guilty. It didn’t seem fair that she was having fun chatting with family and friends around the dinner table, while he was upstairs by himself coughing and sneezing.
Glancing around the table, no one else appeared to be bothered by Josh’s absence. Just Maya. Then again, maybe she was just being overly-sensitive to Josh’s situation because she knew what it was like to be alone and sick.
When her mom was a waitress, she worked all the time. Maya new that it wasn’t because she wanted to but because she had to. It was the only way to make ends meet. Unfortunately, that meant she wasn’t always there for Maya, including when she was ill… but Maya managed. However, that didn’t mean she liked it. Being sick was never fun, especially when you were alone.
"You okay, baby girl?” Katy asked, breaking through her daughter’s train of thought.
“Huh?” Maya said, meeting her mother’s eyes.
“You’ve barely touched your food.” Katy noted, nodding her head toward Maya’s plate, where she was pushing around an array of food with her fork.
“Oh, sorry.” Maya apologized. "I guess, I’m just not that hungry.“
"I hope you aren’t coming down with what Joshua has.” Amy said worriedly. "You feeling okay, sweetie?“
"Yeah, I’m fine.” Maya promised, wanting to put Mrs. Matthews at ease. "Just tired, you know, from all the traveling. I think I’m gonna go lie down for a while.“
"Okay, let us know if you need anything.” The elder Mrs. Matthews told her.
Maya smiled and nodded, then headed out of the kitchen.
Once she was upstairs, Maya headed toward a bedroom, but it wasn’t Morgan’s. It was Josh’s. She just couldn’t help herself, she had to check on him. So, she crept up to the cracked door quietly.
