Sick of It

Laura’s baby brother was gravely ill. The doctor had been sent for, but it would take at least two days for him to arrive. Laura’s family didn’t know if her brother would make it that long. Laura had dreamed for many years of having a little sibling. It just didn’t seem right to have him taken away so quickly. Little Owen had pneumonia. The disease had stricken many people in town, but it was especially hard on the young and old ones. Owen’s cough made the windows rattle. Laura was scared.

Laura was a dutiful sister and sat right by his side morning and night. She kept the water bowl clean and filled. As she slept by his side at night, she would sing lullabies to help him sleep.

“When will the doctor come?” thought Laura.

Early the next morning, Laura was awakened to hear footsteps outside her door. It was the doctor. Laura rose from her chair in the bedroom and hurried to the door. The doctor rushed in with his bag. He quickly unloaded his tools and checked Owen’s chest. Owen let out a little cough and smiled at Laura.

“What do you think?” Laura’s mother anxiously asked the doctor.

“I think he’s going to make it,” said the doctor with a twinkle in his eye. “I think he has had the perfect care. I can tell he’s got a mother that knows what to do and the devotion of a sister that carried him through.”

The doctor left medicine with Laura’s mother, and Laura sat down to breathe a huge sigh of relief.