“Are you feeling ok?”
“Just… a little… hot. Can… we… stop and… rest.”
“Sure, honey. Let’s stop in this coffee shop and get something cold to drink. I could use some ice water myself.”
“Ok… thanks.”
Even though it was the middle of the afternoon, this location of Moonstag Coffee had no other customers. Two bored looking baristas stood behind the counter. Big Jim led Melody to a seat while he went to the counter to order two bottled waters. The clerk looked disappointed when Jim didn’t order an overpriced coffee drink. Who spent that much money on coffee?
“Here’s your water, sweetheart.”
“Thank… you.”
He handed her the bottle, and she struggled with loosening the top. What was happening to Melody?
“Here, let me get that for you.”
Big Jim twisted the cap from the bottle, and she smiled up at him. With shaking hands, she lifted the bottle to her lips and took a sip. The heat had made him parched, so he downed the bottle of water in one big swig. They sat in the icy air conditioning for half an hour and she only drank about half the bottle.
“Would you like to go back to the hotel so you can rest?”
“You wouldn’t mind?” Jim noticed she had finally caught her breath as she spoke this time.
“Of course not. You probably picked up one of those 24-hour bugs on the plane. We’re supposed to go to the National Zoo on Friday, and I know you don’t want to miss that. Do you want me to get you something else before we leave the coffeehouse?”
“No, I’m Ok. Thank you. A brief rest will do me good.”
He helped Melody to her feet and led her from the store. The closest Metro Station location was two blocks south of Moonstag. They ambled to the station together and boarded the next train bound for their hotel. Only two other passengers rode in their car. It had been years since Big Jim visited DC, but he never saw the crowds this thin. His concern remained focus on Melody, so he didn’t give it much thought while they rode.
Once they got to the room, Melody wanted to crawl into bed and sleep. She urged Jim to go out and get himself some dinner and he reluctantly caved in to her demand. He offered to bring something back for her, but she declined his offer of take out.
A pizza joint within walking distance had excellent food according to the lady at the hotel’s front desk. Big Jim enjoyed a large meat lover’s pizza along with a pitcher of beer for dinner. Melody didn’t mind Jim eating meat, but he always felt like a jerk eating something like this in front of her. The food tasted wonderful, and he wondered why only one other table had customers sitting at it.
The next morning, Melody reported feeling better and accompanied Jim to the hotel’s free breakfast. Jim noticed she didn’t eat as much as normal, but she still consumed a healthy amount of food.
“I’m glad to see your feeling better today. Told ya’ it was a 24 bug.”
“Ok, Doctor. I’m feeling better, but still not 100%. Mind if I stay in the room today? The National Zoo will require a lot of walking and I don’t want to miss it.”
“I could stay here with you today too, if you want.”
“No, Jim. You really wanted to see the Air and Space Museum, so you should go. I’ll be fine and it’ll give me a chance to rest in the AC rather than the pits of hell.” Melody laughed at her own joke.
Jim didn’t want to leave Melody, but she insisted. He took the train into the city and spent the day touring the museum. The day had been fun, but he worried about Melody’s health the entire time he had visited the museum.
When he returned to the hotel room, he found all his worries pointless. Melody sat on the room’s sofa, showered, dressed, and ready to go out for dinner. Wasting no time, he jumped into the shower himself and washed off the day’s sweat. They took a taxi into Old Town and ate at a romantic restaurant.
“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better tonight.”
“Yes, I feel like a new woman. A little rest did the trick. How was the Air and Space Museum?”
“I loved it, but I’ll admit I worried about you the entire time.”
“That’s why I love you, Jim. You’re so sweet!”
The server brought their food, and they both ate with gusto. Big Jim rejoiced seeing Melody back to her normal self. She lived a healthy lifestyle, and seeing her ill wasn’t typical. After dinner, they returned to the hotel, and they made love before they passed out under the sheets. This trip had been a dream come true for Big Jim.
When they awoke Friday morning, Big Jim practically leaped from bed with happiness. Melody had recovered from her mysterious bug, and they were having a great time away from the farm. He left her laying in bed while he jumped into the shower to start their day. Today they’d planned a visit to the National Zoo. The red pandas were a favorite of Melody’s and Jim looked forward to seeing her face light up once they laid eyes on them. After drying off, Jim found Melody still lounging in bed.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
“Ugh… I feel sluggish this morning. My head hurts.”
“You didn’t have anything to drink last night, so what’s up with that?”
“Maybe too much excitement after two days of being sick. I’ll jump in the shower and that should do the trick of waking me up.”
Jim didn’t see her moving much quicker after the shower. At breakfast, Melody had four cups of coffee and that’s more than she normally consumed during the entire day. He tried
