78. Not a Nurse

Riley watched quietly from the doorway as Valerie leaned over River in his bed. “River Foster, you need to eat every last spoonful of this chicken soup if you want to get your strength back,” Valerie said sternly, tapping her finger on the bowl. Her brows were furrowed with loving concern. River grimaced. “I am not a fucking child, Val. I am your older brother. You don’t need to spoon feed me spoon.” “If you are not a child, stop acting like one,” Valerie said and nearly shoved the spoon into his mouth. “God, Val. Did you just come here to bully me?” River asked. His voice had lost its edge. He was still weak from his fever. Valerie’s face softened. She squeezed his shoulder. “I just worry about you, big brother. Someone’s got to take care of you.” As Riley observed the tender exchange, a lump formed in her throat. Memories of her own mother flooded her mind - the way Mama used to scold her to eat all her vegetables, the gentle hugs whenever Riley skinned her knee, the fierce protectiv