Corinne's expression shifted instantly to wounded innocence, her eyes wide and glistening.
"Do you hate me, Queenie? I went out of my way to buy that medicine for you, and you won't even take it. Did I do something wrong? Just tell me—I'll change, I promise."
Seeing Corinne's aggrieved expression, Calvin's heart ached for her.
"Queenie, Corinne bought this medicine out of the goodness of her heart. Don't be so ungrateful—just take it and come eat."
I popped a pill from the blister pack and washed it down with water. A flash of triumph flickered across Corinne's eyes.
"Queenie, now that you've taken your medicine, come join us for dinner."
I watched her slip out the door.
Then I grabbed Calvin before he could follow.
"Calvin, the flu's been going around everywhere lately. We traveled all day, and now I'm coming down with a fever. Maybe you should take some cephalosporin too—just to be safe."
He considered this, decided it made sense, and swallowed a pill with water.
The moment he left, I spat the pill into the trash, rinsed my mouth three times, and only then went to dinner.
At the table, Corinne raised her glass.