#anywhere

A pout and for a moment Anne Marie looks ready to be the worst patient but "Fine. " And she sips

"I do not mind, not at all." Brekke says. "And that is a good idea...one to keep in mind for the future, but I would not interrupt them now." She pauses. "Symon, Kerri tells me you spoke of being upset at Ann Marie being overworked. Is this correct?"

He flushes, embarrassed, and winces a bit. "I... I didn't mean to snap. Not at her, especially since she already doesn't like me. It's nothing you - or anyone at the lodge does, she just doesn't know when to stop doing more and more. At work, and the soup kitchen, and her charity work, and just last week she was over helping a neighbor re-plant their garden..." A pause. "And here. It's... I don't even give a shit for everything she does."

Slurp "bit salty" it is not... but Anne Marie is one of THOSE patients. Some of her maturity fades. "But otherwise okay" The glamour however seems to help her breathing as hoped.

Kerri gives her a wry grin. "I think somebody else is a bit salty," she teases gently, pleased to see the cantrip doing its work. "Finish it."

"Bully" but she does "I can't stay here. Simon is a growing boy, and his father has important work. I need to get up. I have cleaning to do"

Brekke frowns a bit. "I do not think Kerri dislikes you, Symon. I have never heard her speak ill of you. As to Ann Marie..." a sigh "It may be in her nature to push herself too far, but...yes, we do ask much of her. That is because she does the work so well. Hm. Perhaps there is a way that somebody might help her."

Below, Dr. Lee blinks, is there a difference between the stuff with the red stripe , and the one with the blue stripe? they seem to be the same thing, but then why would they change the stripes on the package?

He ducks his head a bit. "I didn't mean... I just. Sorry. The Hearth... Kerri, she's always been kind to me. I didn't mean to sound like an ingrate. It's not important. I can help - how can I help?"

"I do not yet know. I think being aware that Ann Marie needs help is the first important step. There are certain to be parts of her life where she alone is expert and you would have difficulty in helping...but other areas may be simple routine that you could lift from her shoulders. I hope I can find a way to help her, as well. She has done much for Rivervale and its people."

A slow nod, thoughtful.

"Thank you, Kerri" Anne Marie says handing her the soup back, then she tries to get out of bed. "I really do feel better ...breathing easier"

Kerri gives Anne Marie a stern look. "You have important work to do, yourself. It is called getting better. You may feel improved now, but you are not yet healed, and you know it."

"I'm sorry to have called you out here like this. I know she'll be okay, she's... tough, you know? I just - she's always on top of everything. I... was just... worried." He shrugs a little, not quite ready to give up the last vestiges of manly cred. Sluagh do not get scared.

Brekke gives the boy a very serious look. "Symon...you did exactly right. And your concern for her is a gift that I know she would appreciate. So...let us see how she seems, now."

A look at Kerri, "Kerri, I have folks to tend to... they need me." Stubborn look. "Two boys to take care of. My husband is a grown man I know, but he has to be at work. Lives, he saves lives. And the office.. .the back log. Why there are children counting..." hrumph

Kerri looks over her shoulder at Brekke and Symon return. "Well, she's well enough to complain, at least."

Dr. Lee comes up with a look of dignity despite the odd faded pattern on his own shirt that was not there before.

He lurks behind the protective wall of blue, per usual.

A glance back at his father. "Thanks, Dad - Ann Marie is feeling a bit better, I think."

"Excellent"

Calmly said

Anne Marie says "I have a llot to complain about.. people are treating me like a child..."

Brekke moves aside, trying to give Dr. Lee room as he comes into the bedroom.

"Ann Marie," Kerri says gently, "you're ill. You have to rest. The world will keep turning, even if it's a bit less efficient than usual without you." She stands. "We should let you rest."

Dr. Lee walks up towards his wife, his eye falls on her shuffling attempt "What do you think your're doing?"

"I feel better," She says to her husband "You should be at the hospital... tending real patients. I have things to do, the boys..."

Kerri and Brekke share a look, and both ease their way back out into the hallway, giving the family members a bit of space.

"The boys are becoming men. Both Simon and Dirk have thrown their back into all that I have asked of them, and rightly so. " Dr. Lee says "I will not have you shame their efforts by acting as if they are children. It does not sit well with young men trying to better themselves. I have already called your office and told them you have the week off..."

"you what??" Anne Marie fusses

Symon is busy examining the floor.

"Is your hearing fading? The fever maybe worse than I thought." Dr. Lee says "It is already in motion, you will cause trouble for the person they have called in to fill in for you..."

"You think I'm that replacable do you?" SHe crosses her arms

"No. I KNOW you are IRreplacable." he says gently "As for my going to the hospital?"

Kerri murmurs to Brekke, "Oh, he's good." Symon surely hears.

"yes?"she answers truculence "You ought to."

"I will if you will." He says "And I have favors enough to get you there for a week"

"You wouldn't!" A gasp!

(He would) Symon mouths to Kerri and Brekke.

He pulls out his cellphone as if it were a remote over a bomb somewhere "Without a second's hestitation. Do you wish to count?"

"Damn it , Bruce.. fine... but there will be consequences, you mark me..." SHe fusses.

Brekke's brows have lifted, impressed with the strategic attack Dr. Lee has leveled at his wife.

Symon has to get his genius from somewhere...

"I am counting on them" He says, then bends down and kisses her fevered forehead "The making up should be very nice... until then however. Stay.in.Bed."

Kerri blinks, then mouths to Symon: Bruce....Lee ?

"Betrayal from all sides" Anne Marie says but she reshuffles to stay in bed.

Symon just winces a bit, but with an amused look.

"if it makes you feel better to think so, darling" Dr. Lee says.

Brekke clears her throat. "We should go. Get well soon, Anne Marie."

He looks a little off-color, apparently Sluagh boys can universally be grossed out by family being gooshy. If he knew Jacob, they would commiserate.