Ethan and Dustin headed off to fight the remnants of rush hour traffic to get to the clinic. They were early, and after a close glance at Dustin, he was quickly taken to an exam room. He was still running a temperature of 101, and was bent forward, sneezing, when the doctor came in. “HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo.”
“Bless you.” She told him, handing him tissues, sanitizing her hands, then launching into discussion of Dustin’s present illness. She frowned, ordered another flu swab and asked who he’d been in contact with while they waited for the nurse.
Dustin whined about having the second swab done…they should have known it was too soon for the first one…but Ethan quickly placated with a promise to stop for his favorite chili if they had time before his appointment.
That caught the Doctor’s attention as she entered the test. “You have an appointment, too?”
Ethan nodded. “Yes ma’am. With Dr. Lewis. For pneumonia follow up.”
“It’s not related.” Dustin wheezed. “He overworked himself with an ordinary cold. This hit all in one day basically.”
The nurse entered to swab Dustin and the doctor pulled Ethan aside. “If he’s got influenza, I don’t want you coming back in here. I know it’s not related; I’ve taken care of you since you started working here.”
Ethan blushed. His reputation to overwork himself certainly preceded him.
“I’ll see you now. Of course, your return to work is dependent on his test and your symptoms.” Her words were covered by Dustin sneezing again as the swab was removed from his nose.
Ethan helped Dustin put his shirt on and switch spots, having consented to having Dustin in the room with him. Despite his lingering cough, she told him she was ready to let him go back to work provided his fever which had broken stayed that way. She was asking Ethan and Dustin how much exposure anyone else had had with Dustin when the results came back positive for influenza.
Starting the two on tamiflu, Dustin as a treatment, Ethan as a preventative, she advised they call Tim as he should call his doctor and get started on it as well. Beth and AdaLyn would need it if they were going to be around him going forward. Ethan offered to have Dustin stay with him as he was already exposed and Dustin quickly agreed.
The doctor took Ethan off work for the rest of the week due to his exposure, much to his dismay, but he also realized Dustin was going to need some looking after.
Ethan took Dustin to the pharmacy, to the deli to pick up the promised chili and to his place for more clothes and medications. Once Dustin was tucked into bed, and they both had a dose of Tamiflu in them, he called Tim.
Tim didn’t answer, so he texted him a quick message to call as soon as he got a chance.
Tim had been having a rough morning, and Ethan’s text didn’t make it any better. He’d been trying to lead the writer’s round table between odd sneezes and an increasingly persistent cough.
“HhhuhRhuhhchoo, uhhrcshoo!” Following two particularly harsh sneezes, he excused himself to give his nose the blowing it deserved and answer his phone call.
“Ethan, what’s up?”
“Dustin has influenza.” Ethan was straight to the point.
“Shit.”
“You need to call your doctor, tell him you’ve been exposed and would like to start on Tamiflu. It’s a preventative to keep you from getting sick.”
Tim coughed.
Ethan was quiet for a minute. “Are you sick?”
“I didn’t think so until now. I thought maybe there was some dust in your couch and it was triggering my allergies and asthma, but that’s not going away. And I’m stiff and achy, but, you know, your couch was not designed for a 6’4” guy who’s pushing 40.”
“I think you caught what Dustin has.” Ethan sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“Do I need a test?”
“Might be too soon. Talk to your doctor. Exposure and symptoms might be enough. And you probably want to leave work…”
Tim sighed. And coughed. “I’ll go talk to Alex.” He groaned, having a feeling he was going to feel a lot worse before he got better. “Cahhh…ahhshoo..call….ahhHahshoo…call you later.”
“Bless you. Talk to you soon.” With a twinge of guilt, Ethan ended the call.
Tim went and pulled Alex out of the writers’ room, apologetically explaining the situation, stressing that he had insisted Dustin stay there. Alex wasn’t pleased, but sent him home, instructing him to zoom in if he felt well enough to contribute. It wasn’t that Alex was germophobic in any way, but he was cautious. If anything found it’s way to him, he either had to host the show ill or find a guest host, much to the chagrin of the network.
Coughing, he gathered his things and headed home. Once home, he called his doctor who didn’t hesitate in prescribing the Tamiflu and called it to his pharmacy.
Tim, suddenly exhausted, curled up on his couch with a blanket and Cashew and called Ethan.
“Hi.” He yawned, when Ethan answered.
“How are you feeling?”
“Trying to find the energy to go to the pharmacy.” Tim sighed.
“Go. You gotta start the meds.” Ethan paused. “Dustin’s staying here so he doesn’t expose his wife and daughter.” Another pause. “Do you want to come over?”
Tim coughed. “I’m too tired to drive back and forth.” He pressed a tissue to his nose, cutting off Ethan’s response. “HeyyChushoo…UhhChuu.” A few more coughs. “Sorry, what?”
“Bless you. I meant…to stay…again. You’re going to feel a lot worse. I’m already exposed. This way you don’t have to expose anyone else if you need anything.”
Tim hesitated. Ethan was right. He was going to get sicker; he didn’t want to expose anyone else.
“You sure you don’t mind. I mean, it was my idea to bring Dustin there.”
“Irrelevant. I’ll just worry if you’re alone; I don’t know if I’ll have my hands full with Dustin to check on you enough. If you’re here…”
Tim paused, rubbing his nose, trying not to sneeze again. Ethan already being exposed…well, he wouldn’t have to risk getting anyone else sick. He knew his neighbors would run out and get him things, but, he didn’t want to expose them either.
“After all,” Ethan continued, “you took care of us. Consider it passing it on.”
“HuhhRuhhshhh, RuhhHuhhrsshoo!” Two violent sneezes exploded from Tim, barely giving him a chance to move the phone or bring his tissues to his nose. “Sorry.” He apologized, breathlessly.
“‘S alright. Bless you. Think about it.”
Tim wavered, sniffling. “Hold on. I have to blow my nose.” He set his phone on the coffee table, pulled several tissues from the box and gave his nose several deep, crackling blows. “Sorry.” He apologized again, picking up the phone.
Ethan laughed. “You’re fine. Want time to think and call me back?”
Tim paused. A couple days on Ethan’s couch wouldn’t be all bad. At least he wouldn’t be alone. “I’ll pack a bag and come over. Let me arrange for someone to take care of my cat.”
“Don’t forget the pharmacy.” Ethan reminded him.
Tim nodded, though he knew Ethan couldn’t see him. “Right. You guys need more tissues or anything?”
Ethan laughed. “I think we’re stocked. Just bring anything you like when you’re sick. See you soon.”
Aggedy Ann 