Mother’s Little Helpers (Five Sentence Fiction, June 2012)

This week’s one word prompt from Lillie McFerrin’s 5 Sentence Fiction was:  Medicine

“They’ll take the edge off your nerves,” said Maeve,  as her daughter doubtfully regarded the pills being offered, “and you’ll feel so much better once you’ve had a good night’s sleep – you really do look absolutely worn out, dear”.

“I can’t keep taking these pills off you,” said Alice, gulping them down with her cup of tea, “what if you need them Mum?”

“What are mothers for, if not to lend a helping hand now and then?” said Maeve, guiding her daughter towards the bedroom, “and besides I’m so much better now; in fact, they’ve given me quite a new lease of life.”

She really does look well, thought Alice, contrasting her own pallid reflection in the bedroom mirror with the glowing countenance of her mother behind her; in fact, she looks years younger these days.

Downstairs, a short while later, Maeve surrendered herself to the arms of her son-in-law, unbuttoning his shirt and smiling tenderly as she whispered “I don’t think we’ll be disturbed for quite a while, Martin… in fact I’d say we’ve got the rest of the night to ourselves, my darling.”