Work Text:
Buck and Maddie get to talking at her house. Chimney is alive but still sick and in the hospital.
“I can’t afford to go to the doctor.”
“Maddie I will pay the bill but you need to go in.”
“I can’t afford to be sick right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I get sick, who’s watching Jee? Or sitting with Chimney? Or coordinating work schedules? I don’t have time for this.”
“Maddie, you’ve been coughing up a storm. I can take Jee Yun to ballet and make her dinner. You need to focus on you.”
“Mom and dad won’t come to help.”
“K.”
Cough. “You don’t look surprised.”
“When have they ever been helpful when we need it? Face it, Christopher is more reliable for help than they are and he’s 14.” He takes a deep breath, “go to urgent care, I’ll take care of Jee tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll talk. And go from there.”
“I can’t afford to be sick.”
“What?”
“If I’m sick. I can’t take care of the kids. Even if I am sick, I’ll still have to watch what I eat and take care of Jee. I can’t do this.”
“Then let me in. Chris and Jee can play tea party, Eddie can sit with Chimney while you go get checked out. You need to take care of you. If not for you, then for me.”
“Fine.” She reluctantly concedes. “I’ll go tomorrow.”
“Good. Go lay down.”
“Fine.”