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!

wiped the cold sweat from

the same room as

care less if you were to ruin yourself,” Wynnie huffed as she stalked out of the

as he hurried after his wife without a care in the

speak up when Samuel cut

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

brows

when she waved him on that

a breath and let his eyes wander over the

disrupted his ruminations. “Why weren’t

at the petite woman, who was also dressed in a hospital

Zimmer claimed that this rooming arrangement was because the hospital was full, though I doubt the veracity of it,”

sea

Am I dreaming?

to stare at the ceiling. “Your parents

Samuel instead of answering her

had a really

Samuel dipped his head.

like

on the message notifications

Tyson’s idea. Richard had no plans of incurring

down his phone and collected himself. “Are you feeling

But I still have to remain admitted for two more days just in

Doesn’t this

Samuel’s heart dropped.

at their doorstep turned out to be

gave Samuel a dirty

must have mistaken your room for another,

you

said Charles in bewilderment as his eyes

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

eyed

all this while and had just woken shortly before your

unconvinced. “Is

He was truly left in the

stand the thought of his sister staying with that abominable man. “I’ll arrange for you to switch rooms right this instant. If there still aren’t any available, we’ll file for a transfer to another

advised against moving around too

Kathleen’s forehead. “That production team be damned.

said soothingly, “Forget it. There’s nothing