Chapter 1

Feverish heat scalds my hand as I lay my hand against his forehead. "Chris what's wrong,Cory says you won't move"I say, "nothing Cath, it's fine, my stomach just hurts"he says grimacing pulling his legs against his stomach. "Christopher doll don't be lying to me, I can tell your sick,your burning up here let me get your temp"I say reaching for the thermometer on bedside table. I somehow manage to get the thermometer in his mouth and wait for it to beep,when It finally does,the screen reads 104 degrees. I know this is not good but grandmother will kill us if I try to run bathwater and get him in the tub because heaven forbid I will see him naked. "i need to get you in the bath alright, I need to get you cooled down,OK Chris "i say, "OK,but Cath what about the twins"he says In response, "I'll keep them in the attic,I'll tell them your sick and I need to take care of you"I say, "Alright"he says weakly. Once I get the twins inside the attic, I help Chris to the bathroom and I start to run the water. Meanwhile he very painfully starts to undress himself until he is completely naked, it doesn't phase me any because after all he is my brother and why should it phase me. Once the tub is full of water I help him sit down in the water,once he shivers but then leans back. I don't know what to say to him at first but then I somehow find my words, "how long have you been feeling bad"I ask, "since this afternoon but I thought that it was nothing", "Christopher doll please tell me if your not feeling good , I need to know these things, since momma is not here, I'm responsible for you", "Cath I'm the older one you shouldn't be responsible for me, it's fine"he says.

After this we stay silent as I grab the washcloth and start running it across his body, at first he is somewhat tense but then he relaxes into my arms as I finish up. Once we are done I help him out of the bath and I wrap him in a towel as I drain the water. I help him into his new pj's and we head back to bed. I help him lie down and then I take his temperature, it's now down to 103 degrees still a little high but good considering the circumstances. The twins come back downstairs and I let them sleep in what usually is Carrie and I's bed. Once they are settled I get into my pjs and I lay beside Chris eventually falling asleep with my arm wrapped around him.