Jake’s mum was sad again. She always got sad when he didn’t want to take his medicine, and would lock herself in her bedroom to cry. He looked down at the cup of orange juice in his hand. He used to love this stuff, but this medicine mixed in made it taste gross, and the side effects made him feel dizzy. As bad as it was, his mum upset was worse. She looked at him differently when she sad, like he wasn’t her son. Dizziness was worth it if it would make her love him again. Jake pinched his nose and downed the juice.
Carrying the empty cup, Jake climbed the stairs and knocked on his mother’s bedroom door.
She didn’t respond. Instead, Jake heard crying start on the other side.
“Mum,” he said in a loud whisper. “I drank the juice. You can be happy again now.”
The crying stopped. “You probably tipped it down the sink.”
“I didn’t!” Jake said. “I promise!” He suddenly felt himself leaning backward and took a step back to keep himself from falling.
The door opened. His mother looked at him, eyes full of love. “Are you feeling okay, Sweetie?”
Jake smiled, letting out a silent sigh of relief. “Just dizzy again.”
“Oh my poor thing.” Jake’s mum lifted him into her arms. “Let’s get you back into bed. I’ll read to you until you fall asleep.”
Art Credit
Cover - Claudia Tremblay
Background - TheColourfulCatStudio
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