All Too Late

Kathleen nodded in acknowledgement.

It wasn’t long before Richard arrived in the hospital room.

“You’re awake, Ms. Johnson. You barely avoided a lung infection caused by dehydration. I’d suggest you stay put for two more days for observation, just to be safe.”

“Is it mandatory?” Kathleen questioned with a grimace.

“But of course. You wouldn’t want to deal with complications from the flu,” Richard answered sternly in a tone that warranted no objection. “Rest well.”

He then turned to address Wynnie and Calvin who were at the corner. “Were either one of you aware of his eating habits? My diagnosis shows that his gastroenteritis was caused by irregular eating schedules.”

Wynnie wrung her hands in concern. “You know how stubborn he can be.”

“That boy is digging his own grave if he continues neglecting his health,” Richard announced baldly while Wynnie continued studying her son’s sickly pale features.

It was at that moment that Tyson strode into the room.

“Tyson, has Samuel been eating at all recently?” Wynnie questioned hurriedly.

“But of course. However, the food prepared was not up to his standard, insomuch that he barely consumed several morsels out of each meal. I tried convincing him but to no avail.”

“How is he such a picky eater?” Wynnie exclaimed in exasperation.

“I remember Mr. Macari enjoying the meal prepared by Ms. Johnson last time. He finished eating it.” Tyson darted a meaningful glance toward Samuel.

Wynnie crossed her arms. “Kathleen won’t always be around at his beck and call. He can jolly well learn to care for himself.”

Kathleen flushed at the sudden turn of events.

She recalled the time he completely devoured the plain oatmeal she prepared and felt an inexplicable surge of sympathy for Samuel.

Just then, Samuel began to stir, his eyes opening groggily.

Wynnie rushed toward her son. “Are you feeling any better? With the way you’re treating your body right now, you might as well be planning for an early death!”

“I’m fine, all right?”

“You’re as stubborn as a mule. Is eating such a harrowing ordeal? I wouldn’t have given birth to you if I’d known you’d turn out this way!” Wynnie’s anger was irrepressible.

Samuel chose to remain silent but discreetly directed a knife-sharp glare at Tyson.

God knows why you contacted Mom!

cold

wouldn’t be staying in the same

to ruin yourself,” Wynnie huffed as she stalked

Calvin as he hurried after his wife

to speak up when Samuel cut him

to clear my head,” Samuel uttered while shutting his eyes, signaling the end

his brows in question at

him on that Tyson finally departed from

sucked in a breath and let his eyes wander over the

disrupted his ruminations. “Why weren’t you

who was also dressed in a hospital gown,

Zimmer claimed that this rooming arrangement was because the hospital

churning with a sea

Am I dreaming?

It was Kathleen’s turn to stare at the ceiling. “Your parents were worried sick. Couldn’t you at least

Samuel instead of answering her

had a really

Samuel dipped his head.

felt like he was

phone and tapped on the message

to thank me, Samuel. This was all Tyson’s idea. Richard had no plans of incurring the wrath of

his phone and

But I still have to remain

days? Doesn’t this mean we’d both

Samuel’s heart dropped.

of activity at their doorstep turned out to

strode in and gave

must have mistaken your room for another,

you doing here,

Charles in bewilderment as his eyes darted between

what this looks like, but I swear it’s not what you think. This peculiar situation was entirely coincidental. The hospital was out of available rooms, so we

eyed

I was unconscious all this while

was unconvinced.

testify to that. He was truly left in the

for you to switch rooms right this instant. If there still aren’t any available, we’ll file for a

advised against moving around too

palm against Kathleen’s forehead. “That production team

and said soothingly, “Forget it. There’s