Page 92 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

Jonah shrugged.

“I keep telling him to use Chapstick,” Brian added. “Even my aunt has tried Vaseline, but he hates the taste.”

“Your aunt?” she asked, glancing up.

“She watches my kids.”

That did it.

Any lingering doubt slammed shut.

“Vaseline definitely helps, but in this case, it looks like you’ve got a staph infection.”

“How did he get something like that on his mouth?” Brian asked. “If he were an adult, I might not question it. Or could make some joke.”

She barely kept the roll from her eyes.

Not funny. Not here at least. Nope, not at all!

“Children aren’t always so good about washing their hands. With his cracked lips, it’s an open sore. He easily could have transferred bacteria there if he touched his mouth.”

“Of course he touches his mouth,” Brian said, laughing. “When he eats.”

It was said almost as if silverware was never used in the house.

“That is most likely the way he contracted it.”

“So how is it treated?” Brian asked.

“Antibiotics,” she said, turning back to her computer.Good. In and out in under fifteen.“Oral is best for something around the mouth.”

“Isn’t it always.”

She paused. “What?” she asked, already knowing.

The smirk confirmed it. A crude joke.In front of his kid.

Maybe in a bar she would have rolled her eyes. Maybe even laughed. But here? With a six-year-old sitting two feet away?

Nope.

She didn’t react. Didn’t bite. Just shifted gears like she’d never heard him at all.

“Jonah,” she said pleasantly, “do you want chewable antibiotics or liquid? I’m guessing pills aren’t your thing yet.”

Most six-year-olds didn’t swallow pills. Thankfully.

“Chewable,” Jonah said.

“Perfect.” She typed quickly. “I’ll send that to your pharmacy. Anything else you’re concerned about today?”

“So I can’t touch the baby now?” Jonah asked.

Her fingers stilled. “Baby?”

“He’s getting a little brother,” Brian said.

She lifted her brows. “That’s exciting. Congratulations, Jonah. When is your mommy due?”