Familiar Medicine

"You were pinching my mouth shut. How could I speak?" Eulalia looked at the painkillers in the vomit on the floor, wondering if they'd still be effective.

Leaning weakly against Percival, she softly said, "If you really care about me, just let me sleep."

Percival looked at Eulalia, her eyes downcast, curled up in his arms like a cat seeking affection.

The mess from her vomiting was not just on him but also on the bed and her. The smell still lingered.

Disgusted, he said, "Clean yourself up first. I'll have Mabel come in and clean the room."

Eulalia felt cold and weak, her face as pale as paper, her eyes misty. She looked so pitiable that it was hard not to want to hold her close and comfort her.

Hesitating for a moment, Percival began to undress her.

Eulalia felt so unwell that she couldn't even muster the energy to resist. She was limp in Percival's arms, like a dying cat.

He easily stripped her and carried her into the bathroom to soak in hot water.

The moment she was submerged, she