“Really? Come on. If there’s anything wrong with me, I’ll let you know.”
“I can’t take your word for it. According to the doctor, people who suffer from hypothermia don’t even realize it. So, since the doctor won’t be available, I’ll have to act in her place for the next few days.”
Ben gave a playfully frustrated look. “Fine, I guess so. Just make it quick.”
“Why? Afraid of your mother touching your body?”
His eyes slightly widened. “You’ll be touching my body?”
“I forgot to mention that part,” she smiled uncomfortably. “Yes, I’ll be touching you. Big deal, you came from my body, remember?”
“The next couple of days are going to be weird.”
Laura stood. “You have no idea.”
After making sure he was resting comfortably, she went to prepare lunch.
***
As an office manager, Laura was proficient in following specific directions. Her career success was based on the fact that she always followed instructions, was smart about her approach, and was persistent in getting tasks done.
Now, as she read the doctor’s note again, she may have finally met her match. She read the note countless times during the afternoon, wondering if she could actually do some of this stuff. But this was her son, and she was the only person who could do this at the moment. Ben’s well-being was of the utmost importance. Especially since she still felt guilty for even bringing him to the remote location.
A few hours after lunch, she told him to lay on his bed. He was dressed casually in loose fitting clothes. The room was warm from the heat of the fireplace in the living room.
She looked at him, knowing that this would be awkward. But she sucked it up, and, taking a deep breath, she sat on the bed next to where her son was laying.
“Okay, dude,” she said jokingly to lighten the mood. “Are you ready to be examined?”
“Yes, mom,” he joked back.
She wagged her finger. “That’s Dr. Mom to you.”
“Okay Doc, what’s on the schedule today?”
“Your health. First, I’ll need to check your pulse. Relax. Don’t move. And don’t say anything.”
Laura made first contact by reaching over to touch his throat. Checking his pulse was easy; this was something she’d learned in her youth. She was raised near a lake and all of her family and friends were trained in CPR and basic emergency procedures, just in case.
So far, things looked good. His skin was warm and his pulse was beating normally – much healthier than after the incident.
“Did I pass?” he joked when his mother moved her hand away.
“Easiest test of your life, right?”
He nodded, “Right.”
“Now onto the weirder parts. I’ll need to check your stomach.”
“I’m full from lunch. Thanks for asking.”
She flashed a playfully stern look. “Don’t be a smart ass, or else I’ll be forced to probe your bottom.”
“It was only a joke.”
Ben pulled his sweater up to reveal his bare stomach and Laura pressed her palm flat onto the bare skin, exactly as the doctor had instructed. As she had explained to Ben, this was to make sure that his body temperature was equally warm – that it wasn’t dropping in the areas that were most affected during the accident.