He looked even more exhausted than usual—kind of drawn and pale. Cliff got Dade to the sofa and brought him something to drink. Then he settled in a nearby chair and turned on the television.
“I’m sorry I don’t have more energy at the moment. If you give me half an hour, I’ll be up to doing more. I just need a little quiet time.” Dade stretched out and leaned back. “I’ve spent the day with eight-year-olds hyped up on excitement and sugar.”
Cliff smiled. “I’ll trade you three lieutenants and a captain who thinks he’s God’s gift.”
Dade groaned. “No thanks. Most of the time, the kids do what I ask them to because they want to. They’re good kids, and they behave themselves.” He sniffed and closed his eyes. “I love all my kids. Most of them are so sweet. I have a few who are more worldly than the others, and they’re the ones I worry about.”
Cliff grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. They hadn’t been watching it, and it was just creating noise that Dade probably didn’t need. “I suppose.”
“Yeah. I had a kid who came in today wearing shorts and a T-shirt, old shoes, and no socks.” He held the sides of his head. “Sorry. It makes me sad. I know the family of this little boy. His parents come to every parent teacher conference and ask a ton of questions. At least that’s what his teacher last year told me. Their clothes aren’t in much better shape than their son’s. I know they get free breakfast and lunch at school, but I worry about him.” He sighed and settled back into the chair. “I can’t be seen as giving him special treatment… but he needs help, and there’s nothing I can do. It’s frustrating as all get-out.”
“Is there something the school can do to help?” Cliff asked.
“We’re doing all we can. Today, I got him a jacket from the office. At least that was something. But I can’t re-dress the kid, and he’s smart… like, really smart. Top of the class. But it’s hard to learn when you aren’t comfortable and often don’t get enough to eat. Sorry…. I need to learn to leave work at the school and not take it home.”
Cliff glanced at the bag of papers that sat next to the door but said nothing. He was becoming aware of just how nearly impossible it was for Dade to keep up with everything. Quietly, he left Dade and went to the kitchen, making himself some tea he found in the cupboard. He brought the mug back with him and set it on the table. Dade’s eyes were closed, and he looked so calm, peaceful, and beautiful. It took willpower for Cliff to stop himself from smoothing the hair away from Dade’s eyes. Instead, he sat down and remained quiet, letting Dade decompress.
An hour later, Dade snapped awake. “Sorry,” he said, and stood, wobbling slightly on his feet. He sat back down.
“You okay?” Cliff asked, looking up from one of Dade’s books that he’d borrowed to pass the time. He set it aside and went to get a blanket. He put his hand to Dade’s forehead. “I think you have a fever.”
“I feel like crap,” Dade said.
Cliff helped him to his feet and guided him to the bedroom. “Get in bed, and I’ll get you some juice and some Tylenol to help you feel better.” He pulled back the covers and helped Dade out of his shoes and pants before pulling up the covers. Then he went to the kitchen to get him some water and juice, putting them next to the bed. Dade swallowed the pills he gave him and then settled under the covers. Cliff left him alone and closed the door most of the way.
He returned to the living room and figured he’d let Dade rest and just go home when Dade’s phone vibrated on the coffee table. He picked it up and saw the call was from his mom. “Hello. This is Dade’s phone.”
“Who is this? Where’s Dade?” she asked.
“This is Cliff, Dade’s boyfriend. I’m assuming this is his mother? I just put Dade to bed. He wasn’t feeling well and has a fever.” He sat down in the chair, speaking softly. “He was tired when he came home. I think he picked up something from the school.”
“Has he taken anything?” she asked.
“I gave him two Tylenol a few minutes ago. He’s resting with plenty of water and juice.” He heard movement in the bedroom, and the toilet flushed. “I can put him on the phone. Just a moment.” He took the phone down to the bedroom, where Dade was climbing back under the covers. “It’s your mom.” He handed him the phone and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Hey, Mom… yeah, I’m fine. Just a cold or something. Cliff is taking care of me.” He grew quiet as he lay down, the phone still pressed to his ear. “You don’t need to do that. I just need torest, and I’ll be fine.” Cliff gently rubbed his arm as Dade sniffled through his stuffed-up head. “Okay… come over tomorrow and you can meet Cliff. You’ll like him, Mom.” He hung up and slid the phone onto the nightstand.
“I should go and let you rest.” Cliff leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll come by in the morning to see how you’re doing.”
“Okay. I just need to sleep,” he said. “I’ll be fine.” He closed his eyes, and Cliff left the bedroom and then the apartment, closing the door behind him.
It wasa long night worrying about Dade. Cliff messaged him before going to bed but didn’t get a response. He hoped he was just asleep and was relieved when there was a response waiting for him in the morning. It wasn’t much, just that he was okay, but it let Cliff know that Dade was doing all right.
He grabbed a quick breakfast before heading to Dade’s. He knocked, and Dade answered the door wrapped in a blanket. “Are you okay?”
“I’m better. I ended up sleeping propped up on the sofa so I could breathe better.” He sat back down.
“Let me get you something to drink and maybe a little to eat. Do eggs sound okay?”
“Just toast. Thanks. My mom will be over soon, and she’ll fuss over me and make a big deal.”
“Do you want me to go so you can talk to her alone?”
“No.” He cleared his throat, and it sounded awful. “She wants to meet you, and she’ll want to stay if she thinks I’m alone. I love my mom, but she has a tendency to hover at times like this, and all I want is to rest and have some quiet time. I’m already feeling a lot better. A good rest was what I really needed.” He sat down, and Cliff went to the kitchen. He made some butteredtoast and took it to Dade. He ate the single piece of bread and settled on the sofa with the blanket around him.
“I’m not sure what I can do for you,” Cliff told him. “Other than sit here.”
“I’ll feel better. I think I picked up something from one of the kids, and I had such a busy week that I let it wear me down.” He turned on the television, and after a few minutes, Dade was asleep on the sofa. Cliff turned down the volume, watching the program on bringing down the mob until he heard someone outside. He checked and opened the door.
