Felix opened her eyes but remained still for a moment. The predawn bird chorus had started, and the clarion song of spring rode through the open bedroom window on the faint beams of twilight. She smiled to herself, pulling the pillow snuggly into her shoulder, and closed her eyes again. As she lay listening to the chirps, whistles and calls from outside, Felix noticed another sound, from inside the house. It was Max, already in the shower.
She opened her eyes again. Still partly asleep, Felix reached for her phone. “Shit,” she exclaimed in a whisper. She got up from the bed, walked to the bathroom, and called through the shower curtain in a sing-song voice, “Maxine….”
There was a chuckle from the other side of the curtain, then, “Am I in trouble?”
“Max,” she whimpered a little as she spoke, “I don’t feel good.”
The water stopped, and the curtain opened, but Felix had already disappeared. Max quickly dried and partially dressed, then came out to find her back in bed. “What’s wrong, Hon?”
“My stomach,” Felix was whining with evident discomfort, “It doesn’t feel good.”
“Oh.” Max sat on the end of the bed, “Do you think you’re sick? Do you feel like you have a fever?”
“Yeah, I’m sick. I don’t think I have a fever, though.”
Max stood and moved to the head of the bed. She felt Felix’s forehead and pressed lightly in the area under her chin. “No fever, no swelling that I can feel. Do you have a sore throat? Aches? Anything else?”
“Not really. Just upset tummy, and tired. I think I’ll be binge-watching on the couch today.”
“You’re staying home, then? Probably a good idea, at least until you start feeling better. Do you want me to get you anything before I go to work? I’ll make you toast and tea, how’s that?”
Felix seemed thoughtful. After a moment, she asked, “Can you stay? I feel weak. Can you stay home with me?”
“You want me to stay home and take care of you?” Max was giggling now. “Shouldn’t at least one of us go to work today?”
“Please?”
Max sat looking at her partner for a few moments. Then she sighed, and asked, “What would you like on your toast?”
“Blackberry jam, please.” Felix was smiling, a little weakly perhaps, but happy.
***
Max was just finishing breakfast preparations when Felix showed up in the kitchen—ponytailed, robed and bunny-slippered. She had an envelope in her extended hand. “This is for you.”
Max turned, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel, and accepted the envelope. “What’s this?” She asked, “And why are you not in bed?”
Felix had already sat down at the table. “It’s for you. And I can handle coming to the kitchen, I think. Perhaps tea and toast will make me feel better.”
“Hmmm.” Max opened the envelope to discover a card inside. “Oh, wow!” she said with a grin of surprise. “I forgot it was my birthday!” She was reading the note on the inside, clearly moved by her partner’s mushy sensibilities. “You’re sweet! I would kiss you if you weren’t so sick!”
Felix smiled, and raised her arm out like a paw, the unmistakable kissing-hand pose. Max obliged, taking her fingers in an affectionate caress and giving them a soft smooch. The mood was very light as she turned back to the table, setting out the last few things for breakfast.
“Thanks!”
“You’re seriously spoiled.” Max said it in a snarky tone.
“Whose fault is that?”
“Yours. Because you whine and I fall for it.”
Felix pursed her lips and nodded. “But you’re the one putting in the work,” she said. “If I’m spoiled it’s because you make me that way.”
Max responded through a mouthful of toast, “Hmmf, mumfoof jeef nushflurf!”
Felix laughed out loud now, stifling it just enough to ask, “What? You probably shouldn’t speak with your mouth full, Maxine!”
Max chewed for a few more seconds, then took a gulp of tea. “Now I know I’m in trouble!” She smirked. “I said, Ophelia, that I love you and I wouldn’t want anyone to think I don’t go out of my way to spoil the woman I married, every chance I get!”
Felix laughed so hard she snorted. “You said all that in, like, five syllables?”
“Sure. I’m talented that way.” Then, “You seem to be feeling a little better. How’s your stomach?”
“I think the toast helped,” Felix suddenly looked a little weak, “But I’m afraid I’m dehydrated. Could you get me more tea, please?”
***
Felix wanted to watch a movie, so Max gathered a few snacks and drinks and met her on the couch. They decided it should be the birthday-girl’s choice, so they ended up starting with an action film. The two of them agreed, however, that Felix would choose a romance in the afternoon.
“And you’ll watch it with me, right?” Felix was getting a lot of mileage out of her whiny voice today.
“Maybe. I was thinking I could get some work done in the afternoon. I really can’t just waste the whole day.”
“But it’s your birthday!”
“Ya, well, we can go out sometime this weekend.”
“So, we’ll just snuggle to your action movie?” It seemed as though Felix had really been looking forward to their time with the afternoon romance selection.
“I don’t know, I really don’t want to get whatever you have.”
Felix shook her head, saying, “Oh. No, I don’t think you will. I think it’s just something I ate.” Pause. “Besides, if it was a bug, you’d probably already have it, anyway.” She was smiling over this.
Max was mildly annoyed at the cheery attitude over her own possible contamination and was tempted to send Felix back to bed. Instead, she looked at her partner’s bright, sunny face, and said, “Of course. That’s true.” She lifted her arm in the air, and Felix immediately scooted in, resting her head on Max’s shoulder.
It was a sleepy morning, with the exciting scenes of the movie—explosions, car chases, battles large and small—mostly falling on the reclining couple with mild effect. As the characters on screen jumped and ran, leapt from buildings and helicopters, faced enemy fire and carried injured comrades to safety, the lovers remained peaceful, relaxed. It was a pleasant, lazy day, with a soft spring breeze that carried the light fragrance of daffodils through the open doors of the screened veranda, and the buzzing of busy insects just audible during the quieter moments of the movie. Felix was looking out the window, watching the hummingbirds in competition with the bees on the tulip tree that was in full bloom just beyond. She thought she heard the sounds from outside getting louder, only to realize that Max had turned the volume down on the TV.
“When I’m with you,” Max was caressing her shoulder softly, “sometimes I feel like the planet could stop spinning—come to a screeching halt—and everyone, everywhere would panic, shedding their humanity in a post-apocalyptic world, while here, on this couch, you and I would remain, unaffected, in a safe bubble that protects the two of us from everything beyond the walls of our home.” She paused, seeing the upturned face of Felix, smiling at her, and added, “Like, the world reboots, and we just ride it out, like we don’t need anyone else.”
Felix refrained from pointing out any possible action movie analogy, saying simply, “Now you’re being the sentimental one.”
“I guess. I just love you, that’s all. It feels good.”
“Good.” Felix smiled. “Does that mean you don’t want Ren and Morgan to come over and bring us lunch?”
“What?”
“I may have arranged that.”
“The only thing I like better than being alone with you is having those two with us and being alone together.” She paused briefly. “They know you’re sick?”
“Yeah. I told them.”
“How are you feeling now?”
“Okay. I think my stomach is getting a little better.” Felix smiled coyly, adding, “Could you get me some more tea?”
***
It was shortly after noon when lunch arrived. Ren and Morgan insisted on taking care of everything and set about arranging takeout boxes on the kitchen table. “Which plates do you want to use?” It was Morgan, calling out over the clatter of silverware.
“Flowers, please!” Felix had picked up the remote, began flipping through playlists for something low key. She found one that she knew Max would like. “Because it’s your birthday,” she explained, giving a feline stretch before standing up and heading for the kitchen. Max followed.
“Oooo!” Max was pleased with the food choices. “You guys are the best!” She sat down at the table, along with the others.
“Felix told us you two were having a sick day.” Ren shrugged. “What else could we do?”
“Besides,” added Morgan, “she hinted that there might be romance movies in the afternoon.” They were grinning.
“Yeah.” Max was shaking her head. “Maybe you two can hang out with Felix for me, so I can get some work done.”
The other three laughed. “Max,” Felix started, then glanced at Ren and paused.
Ren jumped in. “You don’t have to put on your tough cookie act today.” Then, with a slight chuckle added, “It’s your birthday, and you’re sick, and nobody expects you to accomplish anything under those conditions—”
“I thought she was the sick one!” Max laughed, pointing at Felix.
“I’m feeling better, I think.”
“I never stay home sick,” Max said with mock indignation, “I take something for whatever I have and go to work!”
“Trust me,” Ren continued, “you’re very sick. You had to stay home so you and Felix could take care of each other.”
“Did my spoiled brat wife put you guys up to this?” Max was becoming suspicious of some conspiracy. She turned to her partner. “Are you really sick, even?”
“Of course I’m ‘sick’!” she said, “Haven’t you been taking care of me all day?”
Max was now looking at Felix with a skeptical eye. Morgan started laughing, interjecting, “She can hear the air quotes, Felix. Max knows!”
“Okay.” Felix rolled her eyes. “I’m not sick. In fact, I feel great!”
“So…” Max trailed off.
“Yes, Ren and Morgan knew, and I knew you would love to have them over for your birthday. We planned this weeks ago.” Felix paused for a moment, listening to something. “Yes, we all want to watch a romance with you this afternoon, or whatever the birthday boi wants.”
Max snickered. “No,” she said, “romance would be fine.”
“Also,” Felix continued, “do you hear that? You know what that is?”
“Of course.” Max knit her brows a little, and said, “It’s my playlist. I love this song.”
“I know.” Felix was grinning. Max looked around the table. Ren and Morgan were trying not to laugh but failing.
“What?”
“I’m glad you like this song.” Felix was obviously enjoying the moment. “We have four tickets for the show tonight.”
“You’re kidding.” Max’s deadpan response showed the shock she felt at this unexpected revelation. “I knew they were playing but I…” Her expression slowly changed as the information sank in. Her favorite band, with her best friends, and Felix—after an afternoon with all of them, and a pleasant morning with the love of her life. Max began to tear up. Just a little, but more than she would normally show.
“You know I hate surprises!” She wiped each of her eyes with the backs of her wrists. “You fuckers are too much!” She began to laugh out loud.
***
The two couples chose places on the couch in front of the TV. As they were about to start the movie, Felix asked, “So, Maxine…”
“Am I in trouble?”
“No.” Felix giggled. “Can we still pretend I’m sick? And you can still wait on me?”
“Ophelia,” Max sighed, “there is nothing I’d rather do.”
May 15 2025
New story: “Felix and Max”
I wrote this for a short story contest. The prompt was to have a “tough cookie” character, in a “sick day,” and romantic comedy for the genre. It was timed, with a word limit. This is what I came up with.
Note: This will probably end up in my next book, after a revision or two.
Felix opened her eyes but remained still for a moment. The predawn bird chorus had started, and the clarion song of spring rode through the open bedroom window on the faint beams of twilight. She smiled to herself, pulling the pillow snuggly into her shoulder, and closed her eyes again. As she lay listening to the chirps, whistles and calls from outside, Felix noticed another sound, from inside the house. It was Max, already in the shower.
She opened her eyes again. Still partly asleep, Felix reached for her phone. “Shit,” she exclaimed in a whisper. She got up from the bed, walked to the bathroom, and called through the shower curtain in a sing-song voice, “Maxine….”
There was a chuckle from the other side of the curtain, then, “Am I in trouble?”
“Max,” she whimpered a little as she spoke, “I don’t feel good.”
The water stopped, and the curtain opened, but Felix had already disappeared. Max quickly dried and partially dressed, then came out to find her back in bed. “What’s wrong, Hon?”
“My stomach,” Felix was whining with evident discomfort, “It doesn’t feel good.”
“Oh.” Max sat on the end of the bed, “Do you think you’re sick? Do you feel like you have a fever?”
“Yeah, I’m sick. I don’t think I have a fever, though.”
Max stood and moved to the head of the bed. She felt Felix’s forehead and pressed lightly in the area under her chin. “No fever, no swelling that I can feel. Do you have a sore throat? Aches? Anything else?”
“Not really. Just upset tummy, and tired. I think I’ll be binge-watching on the couch today.”
“You’re staying home, then? Probably a good idea, at least until you start feeling better. Do you want me to get you anything before I go to work? I’ll make you toast and tea, how’s that?”
Felix seemed thoughtful. After a moment, she asked, “Can you stay? I feel weak. Can you stay home with me?”
“You want me to stay home and take care of you?” Max was giggling now. “Shouldn’t at least one of us go to work today?”
“Please?”
Max sat looking at her partner for a few moments. Then she sighed, and asked, “What would you like on your toast?”
“Blackberry jam, please.” Felix was smiling, a little weakly perhaps, but happy.
***
Max was just finishing breakfast preparations when Felix showed up in the kitchen—ponytailed, robed and bunny-slippered. She had an envelope in her extended hand. “This is for you.”
Max turned, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel, and accepted the envelope. “What’s this?” She asked, “And why are you not in bed?”
Felix had already sat down at the table. “It’s for you. And I can handle coming to the kitchen, I think. Perhaps tea and toast will make me feel better.”
“Hmmm.” Max opened the envelope to discover a card inside. “Oh, wow!” she said with a grin of surprise. “I forgot it was my birthday!” She was reading the note on the inside, clearly moved by her partner’s mushy sensibilities. “You’re sweet! I would kiss you if you weren’t so sick!”
Felix smiled, and raised her arm out like a paw, the unmistakable kissing-hand pose. Max obliged, taking her fingers in an affectionate caress and giving them a soft smooch. The mood was very light as she turned back to the table, setting out the last few things for breakfast.
“Thanks!”
“You’re seriously spoiled.” Max said it in a snarky tone.
“Whose fault is that?”
“Yours. Because you whine and I fall for it.”
Felix pursed her lips and nodded. “But you’re the one putting in the work,” she said. “If I’m spoiled it’s because you make me that way.”
Max responded through a mouthful of toast, “Hmmf, mumfoof jeef nushflurf!”
Felix laughed out loud now, stifling it just enough to ask, “What? You probably shouldn’t speak with your mouth full, Maxine!”
Max chewed for a few more seconds, then took a gulp of tea. “Now I know I’m in trouble!” She smirked. “I said, Ophelia, that I love you and I wouldn’t want anyone to think I don’t go out of my way to spoil the woman I married, every chance I get!”
Felix laughed so hard she snorted. “You said all that in, like, five syllables?”
“Sure. I’m talented that way.” Then, “You seem to be feeling a little better. How’s your stomach?”
“I think the toast helped,” Felix suddenly looked a little weak, “But I’m afraid I’m dehydrated. Could you get me more tea, please?”
***
Felix wanted to watch a movie, so Max gathered a few snacks and drinks and met her on the couch. They decided it should be the birthday-girl’s choice, so they ended up starting with an action film. The two of them agreed, however, that Felix would choose a romance in the afternoon.
“And you’ll watch it with me, right?” Felix was getting a lot of mileage out of her whiny voice today.
“Maybe. I was thinking I could get some work done in the afternoon. I really can’t just waste the whole day.”
“But it’s your birthday!”
“Ya, well, we can go out sometime this weekend.”
“So, we’ll just snuggle to your action movie?” It seemed as though Felix had really been looking forward to their time with the afternoon romance selection.
“I don’t know, I really don’t want to get whatever you have.”
Felix shook her head, saying, “Oh. No, I don’t think you will. I think it’s just something I ate.” Pause. “Besides, if it was a bug, you’d probably already have it, anyway.” She was smiling over this.
Max was mildly annoyed at the cheery attitude over her own possible contamination and was tempted to send Felix back to bed. Instead, she looked at her partner’s bright, sunny face, and said, “Of course. That’s true.” She lifted her arm in the air, and Felix immediately scooted in, resting her head on Max’s shoulder.
It was a sleepy morning, with the exciting scenes of the movie—explosions, car chases, battles large and small—mostly falling on the reclining couple with mild effect. As the characters on screen jumped and ran, leapt from buildings and helicopters, faced enemy fire and carried injured comrades to safety, the lovers remained peaceful, relaxed. It was a pleasant, lazy day, with a soft spring breeze that carried the light fragrance of daffodils through the open doors of the screened veranda, and the buzzing of busy insects just audible during the quieter moments of the movie. Felix was looking out the window, watching the hummingbirds in competition with the bees on the tulip tree that was in full bloom just beyond. She thought she heard the sounds from outside getting louder, only to realize that Max had turned the volume down on the TV.
“When I’m with you,” Max was caressing her shoulder softly, “sometimes I feel like the planet could stop spinning—come to a screeching halt—and everyone, everywhere would panic, shedding their humanity in a post-apocalyptic world, while here, on this couch, you and I would remain, unaffected, in a safe bubble that protects the two of us from everything beyond the walls of our home.” She paused, seeing the upturned face of Felix, smiling at her, and added, “Like, the world reboots, and we just ride it out, like we don’t need anyone else.”
Felix refrained from pointing out any possible action movie analogy, saying simply, “Now you’re being the sentimental one.”
“I guess. I just love you, that’s all. It feels good.”
“Good.” Felix smiled. “Does that mean you don’t want Ren and Morgan to come over and bring us lunch?”
“What?”
“I may have arranged that.”
“The only thing I like better than being alone with you is having those two with us and being alone together.” She paused briefly. “They know you’re sick?”
“Yeah. I told them.”
“How are you feeling now?”
“Okay. I think my stomach is getting a little better.” Felix smiled coyly, adding, “Could you get me some more tea?”
***
It was shortly after noon when lunch arrived. Ren and Morgan insisted on taking care of everything and set about arranging takeout boxes on the kitchen table. “Which plates do you want to use?” It was Morgan, calling out over the clatter of silverware.
“Flowers, please!” Felix had picked up the remote, began flipping through playlists for something low key. She found one that she knew Max would like. “Because it’s your birthday,” she explained, giving a feline stretch before standing up and heading for the kitchen. Max followed.
“Oooo!” Max was pleased with the food choices. “You guys are the best!” She sat down at the table, along with the others.
“Felix told us you two were having a sick day.” Ren shrugged. “What else could we do?”
“Besides,” added Morgan, “she hinted that there might be romance movies in the afternoon.” They were grinning.
“Yeah.” Max was shaking her head. “Maybe you two can hang out with Felix for me, so I can get some work done.”
The other three laughed. “Max,” Felix started, then glanced at Ren and paused.
Ren jumped in. “You don’t have to put on your tough cookie act today.” Then, with a slight chuckle added, “It’s your birthday, and you’re sick, and nobody expects you to accomplish anything under those conditions—”
“I thought she was the sick one!” Max laughed, pointing at Felix.
“I’m feeling better, I think.”
“I never stay home sick,” Max said with mock indignation, “I take something for whatever I have and go to work!”
“Trust me,” Ren continued, “you’re very sick. You had to stay home so you and Felix could take care of each other.”
“Did my spoiled brat wife put you guys up to this?” Max was becoming suspicious of some conspiracy. She turned to her partner. “Are you really sick, even?”
“Of course I’m ‘sick’!” she said, “Haven’t you been taking care of me all day?”
Max was now looking at Felix with a skeptical eye. Morgan started laughing, interjecting, “She can hear the air quotes, Felix. Max knows!”
“Okay.” Felix rolled her eyes. “I’m not sick. In fact, I feel great!”
“So…” Max trailed off.
“Yes, Ren and Morgan knew, and I knew you would love to have them over for your birthday. We planned this weeks ago.” Felix paused for a moment, listening to something. “Yes, we all want to watch a romance with you this afternoon, or whatever the birthday boi wants.”
Max snickered. “No,” she said, “romance would be fine.”
“Also,” Felix continued, “do you hear that? You know what that is?”
“Of course.” Max knit her brows a little, and said, “It’s my playlist. I love this song.”
“I know.” Felix was grinning. Max looked around the table. Ren and Morgan were trying not to laugh but failing.
“What?”
“I’m glad you like this song.” Felix was obviously enjoying the moment. “We have four tickets for the show tonight.”
“You’re kidding.” Max’s deadpan response showed the shock she felt at this unexpected revelation. “I knew they were playing but I…” Her expression slowly changed as the information sank in. Her favorite band, with her best friends, and Felix—after an afternoon with all of them, and a pleasant morning with the love of her life. Max began to tear up. Just a little, but more than she would normally show.
“You know I hate surprises!” She wiped each of her eyes with the backs of her wrists. “You fuckers are too much!” She began to laugh out loud.
***
The two couples chose places on the couch in front of the TV. As they were about to start the movie, Felix asked, “So, Maxine…”
“Am I in trouble?”
“No.” Felix giggled. “Can we still pretend I’m sick? And you can still wait on me?”
“Ophelia,” Max sighed, “there is nothing I’d rather do.”
By Andy Brannan • Uncategorized 0