She came home with one of those sick headaches that happens once in a while. There was a paleness about her that betrayed how lifeless and drained she was. He never knew just exactly what to do except quiet rest and the medicine.
Today as she came in, he just went to her to help her in and she just fell into his arms and he enveloped her with his big bear like hug. He held her gently and with his hand he pressed her head into the soft cushion at the base of his neck.
"What can I do for you?" he whispered.
She could only weakly shake her head, not knowing even herself.
He got the pills and handed them to her with a glass of water and watched as she took them. It was a very parental kind of act, like a child who you want to make sure follows your directions. He was not concerned about her refusing to take the medicine, but he was not sure she had the energy left in her to put them in her mouth and lift the glass.
He walked her into the bedroom to put her to bed for a while. He undressed her as you might have done with a very sleepy four year old. He took all of her clothes off as she just stood in a stupor and then wrapped her in the plush terry bathrobe that she enjoyed so much. She was clingy this afternoon and she kept resting her head on his shoulder when he was close enough.
As he was ready to lay her on the bed, he spied grandma's old rocking chair in the corner of the room. It was stacked with clothes and seldom used. It was a family heirloom, but with none of the grace of a fine antique. It was obviously hand made but just as bviously without the fine touches of a master craftsman. It was thick in the legs and rungs, made to be sat on rather than looked at. It had no arms and an unusual seat which was wide at the front and very narrow at the back. The back was straight and not the most comfortable, but functional.
He drew her with him to the chair and brushed the clothes which had accumulated on it away and sat down drawing her sideways to sit on his lap. Her legs draped over his left side and she was turned half way so that her forehead settled back into that soft spot at the hollow of his neck. He held her with his right arm to support her and with his left he brushed her hair quietly and make a quiet "shushing" sound with his voice.