This is just the beginning of a new story. If you want to read more, please let me know. And just to remind you, I have a new novel on Amazon called Being Invisible. Take a look. There are lots of chapters to read for free.

Don’t Worry
Leslie Moore

“Honey, it’s okay. I’m sure when you get your strength back, everything will be fine.”

Mathew wiped a tear from his eyes. Even since he’d been sick, so much had changed. He’d lost so much weight, pounds that he couldn’t afford to lose. And strength. He’d always be described as slight, but after spending four weeks in bed, he was a mess. And now that he was starting to recover, well. It just wasn’t going fast enough. “I just feel bad for you, honey. I’m absolutely useless. I never intended for you to take care of me. That’s my job. I’m the breadwinner.”

His wife, Frankie, smiled. “Why, baby, don’t feel that way. You please me. I’m happy. You’ve made sure I’m always satisfied. I’m content.” She turned away so Mathew couldn’t read her face and see what she was really thinking. “I’ve run a bath for you. Mother’s coming by after she finishes her hospital rounds to check up on you. We need to freshen you up after our love making.”

Mathew nodded. “Thank you. I wish I had the strength to stand in the shower. I feel so helpless depending on you for everything. And not being able to perform. It’s very frustrating.”

“Here, pull off that nightshirt, and let me look at you. You never were a big guy, but I almost feel like I could pick you up. I’m sure I outweigh you.”

Mathew nodded. “Well, that’s you. I’ve always been attracted to strong women. I think it’s great you enjoy going to the gym and staying fit.”

Frankie agreed. “Strong women. Like our moms. Your mom with her business and mine becoming a doctor. And you know now much I just love to work out. I think that some men would be intimidated by a woman like me.”

“Not me.” Mathew let her help him into the deep tub full of hot water. He sighed aloud. It felt so good as he inhaled. “What’s the scent? I don’t recognize it?”

Frankie nodded. “It’s a new one I found at the mall. I thought that we could share it. Now, let’s wash your hair. Your hair and face smell of me. I can’t believe you had me exploding like that. I’m forever changing the bed after our lovemaking. And I’m always surprised that you don’t mind.”

“No, I like pleasing you. I get pleasure, too. I know I’ve got you going when you just let everything go.”

“And I’m always amazed that doesn’t gross you out. I know you’re doing it for me, and well, I try to reciprocate.”

“Frankie, I get embarrassed when you take me over the edge that way. Sometimes, well, it’s not very manly. I mean my body, well, I lose control.””

“I’m sure that when you get your strength back, you won’t need my little helper. I do like to get you moaning. It makes me feel powerful hearing you scream my name.”

Mathew shook his head from side to side. “It seems like such a role reversal when you take me like that. Don’t you look down on me? Should I be embarrassed?”

Frankie smiled and added conditioner to his hair. “I like it. Sometimes, I imagine I’m the guy making my girlfriend scream with pleasure. But, you know that mother was the one who suggested we do that. She says it's important to keep those nerve endings ready. She said that when you get all your strength back, you don’t want anything to atrophy.”

“Well, I really feel like everything is shrinking. Losing all that weight and, well, energy. I feel like everything has gotten smaller down there.”

Frankie kissed him on the lips. Even after scrubbing his face, he still smelled. “My mom is the best doctor to help you. And she cares so much about her son-in-law. All the infusions, the supplements, and the weekly shots. I love how she’s filling you with vitamins to make you strong again.”

Mathew nodded as Frankie combed through his wet hair. He felt his wet hair hitting his shoulders. “Look at that length. I’m a mess. I’m long overdue for a trim. I think my hair has gone from stylishly long to a fright wig. And I can’t even imagine trying to find a suit that fits when it’s time to go back to work.”

“Well, if I can get you to stand up long enough, I can measure you properly. We can send one or two of your suits out to the tailors.” Frankie thought about how handsome Mathew looked in his business suits. “You know, that’s how I first saw you. You were running the office and looked so important. The captain of the ship. Giving orders, keeping everything flowing.”

“Well, thank goodness my mom could fly up and take back over. I never envisioned this virus to be so debilitating.”

“Well, you’re lucky. After all, you’d been running the company since you graduated college, and the profits have grown each year. No one ever expected you to bring out new lingerie lines in the first year. Even now, as you expand the company, everything has been a hit. You really do have a sense of how women like to look.”

Mathew shook his head. “I miss work. We’re just lucky that mom is supporting up. That used to be my job. I miss taking care of you.”