What, are mine not as good as yours?
Shes got chickenpox?! Have you lost your minds? Im pregnant!
Dont worry! She hasnt had a fever for three days. The doctor said shes not contagious anymore.
Emily stood frozen in the doorway of the lounge, taking a step back from the makeshift infirmary. Theyd only arrived at her mother-in-laws five minutes ago, and already she wanted to bolt.
On the sofa sat Theresa, smiling as if nothing was wrong. Beside her, four-year-old Poppy in unicorn-patterned pyjamas fidgeted on the floor. Her sister-in-laws daughter was speckled green like some sort of sickly leopard.
Dont worry?! Do you even realise Ive never had chickenpox? That its dangerous for the baby? Why didnt anyone warn me? Emily spun toward the exit.
Em, youre already here, Theresa said placatingly, as if that settled it. Might as well stay.
If Id known, we wouldnt have set foot in this house! Emily snapped, yanking on her boots.
She threw on her coat outside, refusing to linger a second longer. She didnt need surprises like this at eight months pregnant. Her husband hurried after her.
The entire drive home, Emily cursed herself. She knew how careless her in-laws were about health. Knewand still went.
The first red flag had been when her sister-in-law brought a sick Poppy over. Emily had brushed it off thenat least she wasnt pregnant. Still, it left a bad taste.
Worse was catching it herself two days later. She worked from home, so there was no one else to blame. The fever made her miss deadlines, earning her a stern talking-to from her boss. Work was piling up, and her illness couldnt have come at a worse time. She had to power through it.
Sorry, Laura had shrugged when Emily brought it up. Who knew your immune system was so weak?
As if it were Emilys fault. As if Laura bore no responsibility. That was what stung the most.
Laura treated everyone with the same disregard. Shed drop Poppy at nursery, sneezing and coughing.
Theyre kids. If mines ill, theyve all got it anyway! I cant afford sick days, Laura huffed when the nursery worker scolded her.
She never learned. Why would she? It wasnt her problem. Everyone else suffered.
Thankfully, Emily avoided chickenpox, and little Oliver was born healthy. But shed learned her lesson: she had to protect herself and her son from family like that, or theyd ruin him. So she accidentally mixed up hospital dates and only allowed her own mother to visit.
Em, hows Oliver? When can we meet our grandson? Theresa fretted over the phone.
Oh, I dont know. The doctor said keep him isolated. His immune systems weak, Emily said nervously. Were not even taking him outside yet, let alone having guests.
She dodged visits with every excuseplaying the fool, spinning tall tales, blaming fatigue. Anything to keep sniffly Poppy off her doorstep.
Then Laura turned up unannounced. Emily opened the door on autopilot, and the floodgates burst. Sniffling but grinning, Poppy dashed straight to the nursery.
Thought wed pop round for tea, Laura beamed. Poppys been begging to see her cousin. Kids love little ones, dont they?
Emily arched a brow. Every instinct screamed to toss them both out, but she held back. Even if it killed her.
Is Poppy ill again? Emily crossed her arms.
Kids are always ill, Laura hedged. Its nothing serious. Just allergies. Besides, they need to build immunity.
Right Emily drawled skeptically.
She shooed Laura out after half an hour, claiming they were off to meet Dad from work, but it didnt save Oliver. Two days later, his temperature spiked to 40, and seizures followed. That night was hell. She blamed herselfshe shouldve slammed the door.
Enough was enough.
Thats it. No more. No more snotty Poppys in this house, she told her husband.
Em, its not Poppys fault he tried. Shes just a kid.
I know. But the sight of her gives me a twitch. Shes a walking infection. Every time shes here, something happens. No more.
He stayed silent. She knew he didnt like it, but she didnt care. She was sick of fearing for her son.
Yet cutting them off entirely proved impossible. They could skip Christmas at his mums, claim they were away for Mothers Day, but banning them from Olivers birthday was harder.
I invited Mum and Laura, he admitted the night before. Theyll be here by five.
Emily froze, sponge in hand, and glared at him.
I told you! No invites!
Em, come on. Theyre family. I asked if Poppy was illLaura said shes fine. How can I say no? Your mums coming tomorrow! What, are mine less important?
Emily pressed her lips together but stayed quiet. They shouldve discussed it, but fineshed relent. Maybe things had changed?
Wrong again.
This time, Poppy wasnt coughingjust moody, sitting apart, unusually quiet.
Poppys really okay? Emily murmured to Laura.
Her throat was sore this morning, but I gave her medicine. Shes better now, Laura said breezily.
Emily inhaled sharply, fighting the urge to scream. But she couldnt stay silent.
Laura, youve worn us out with your sick kid. Every visit ends with doctors.
Oh, relax! Let him get ill, Laura waved her off. Hell catch it at nursery anyway. At least hell adapt easier.
Emily stared, dumbfounded.
So I should thank you?
Not thank me, but Em, youre overreacting. All kids get ill.
Not like this. Not because someones careless.
The party soured. No one left, but the mood was ruined. So was the weekthree days later, Emily was dosing Oliver with syrup, thermometer in hand.
Youd think thatd be the end of it. Even her husband saw sense. But no.
On the 30th of December, he stormed in, slammed his keys down, and locked himself in the lounge. Emily knocked, confused.
Everything alright? Whats wrong?
Stay out, he warned. Keep Oliver away. I was at Lauras. She asked me to help build Poppys New Years bike.
A pause. Emily knew where this was going.
And?
Theres a stomach bug outbreak at her nursery. She only told me after
New Years was spent hunched over buckets, no turkey in sight. While others watched the countdown, their house was silent. Even the telly stayed off. The trifle went untouched.
I cant do this anymore. Im tired of fearing for Oliver. For you. Phone calls only from now on, alright?
Alright, he sighed, finally sincere.
Maybe hed finally grasped itfamily shouldnt put your child at risk for their own convenience. Even if all kids get ill.
