Viral

By Andrew Adams

-

"'Zycotonine.' That's what it's called, Michelle. It's the worst name in the history of medicine, if you ask me." Michelle didn't look at Sami. "Alright, then. For children, one pill, three times a day. Once at each meal." She emptied half the tube into a Ziploc bag and placed it in her medical cabinet. It was a trick her mom had told her, and it made it harder to lose the pills.

"You ready to feel better?"

Michelle stared at Sami glumly.

"Hey, look, kid, I'm doing my best here. You don't have to look at me like that."

Sami took the pill and left the bathroom, Michelle following in her wake. Sami steered into the kitchen, pulled out the pudding, and started to mash the Zycotonine. She emptied it into the pudding, stirred, and turned. Michelle was standing right behind her, waiting. She jumped, on edge, and handed the bowl to Michelle. "You can get your own spoon."

Sami went and sat down at the table, tired, and looked at the clock. It was nearly four in the morning. Michelle slid into the seat across from her and began to eat her pudding and drugs silently.

"You want to go to school tomorrow?" Sami asked.

Michelle shook her head.

"Yeah, me neither." She put her head in her hands. "Hey, aren't you tired yet?"

Michelle shook her head.

Sami sighed and looked into Michelle's bowl. She was finished. "I hope that medicine's got some good side effects, then, cause I want you to be out like a light within ten minutes!" Sami reached down and scooped Michelle up in her arms, twirling her around and tickling her as she did. Michelle giggled. A little.

"How's your head feel?"

"It hurts."

Sami leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. "That'll have to do for now."