Chapter Eleven [ Stay safe at home]

Chapter Eleven [Stay safe at home]

In the bare house where the Wagner family resides in the late afternoon.

As her family, who were evidently having a good time playing in the backyard, approached, Rhoda began to pray.

Rhoda thanks the Lord that they have food as the two hurry over to him.

"Yes, Sweetie," Rhoda responds quickly, adding,

'For the Lord God says, ‘For I know my plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

The Lord also declares, 'Then you will call me and I will answer you,' says the Lord again.” as Rhoda ponders God’s message father and son look at each other nodding.

While taking dinner, despite the loud honking of the law enforcement officer's roving patrol truck, which is hunting for people who have broken the curfew hours, Robert began eating his oats and Rudolf enjoyed the dinner that Rhoda prepares for them that evening.

Rudolf seems to have a question for Rhoda. Rudolf asks quickly,

"Do you want to tell me about your day with the fellow in the distribution area?"

"You've been really quiet since you arrived this afternoon," Rudolf notes,

"and you check our nibbling quickly."

"It's nonsense to take seriously what people believe or say if it's destructive," Rhoda said, adding,

"My concerns are you and my kid who eats such fruits without giving me." She says smiling.

"Do you mean you prefer sour fruits as well?"

"I have my kid here,"

Rhoda says, touching her womb, and she needs Vitamin C! she adds.

"Yes, we shall always pick up Citrus fruits for Mommy!" exclaims Rhoda. Robert says, “yes? "

“We must keep safe at home; thus we must consume healthy meals to fight diseases!" declares Rudolf, gleefully.

"Yes, Mum, fruits are delicious!" Robert concurs.

"My previous encounters with humans have been a heap of nonsense!" She replied.

"We should always value people's unique characteristics, even if they are sometimes harsh," Rhoda argues.

She went on to say, "I should incorporate them in my daily devotion and prayer as well." Rudolf asked,

"Honey, will you please include me in your prayers as well?"

Rhoda asks as she enters the room with Robert, who appears to be deep asleep. Rudolf departs the kitchen following them. Rudolf shares with Rhoda his previous experiences with the beggar and the young tandems who grab his fruits because they starve.

"It makes no difference if I keep quiet about the beggar and the two crooks who steal my grocery fruits," Rudolf says slowly.

"They need prayer because of their justifications of hun-ger," Rudolf added,

"because they're under pressure and if they do it again, they'll almost certainly end up in jail."

"That's a lovely idea, honey," Rhoda says,

"but we should pray with me right now. Let's start by looking at Jeremiah 29:11 in the Bible. Do you remember it?" and the two proceeded to pray together mentioning the people and their needs that night before going to bed.

Early morning, Rhoda greets Robert, caressing his face. Robert screams loudly.

"Mum, milk!" Robert cries out, but Rudolf refuses to let her leave.

"Come on Sweetie, your milk is just next to your table, just grab it," Rhoda adds as she tries to flee Rudolf. Rhoda instead quickly trains her son and gives in to Rudolf's impulsiveness.

After that, the two get ready for the day.

"It appears like our son is becoming a late bird in the flock!" Rhoda noted as the couple proceeded to the kitchen to prepare their breakfast.

Rudolf is concerned about Robert's health.

"Honey, our son is still unconscious!" Rudolf exclaimed as he checked him.

"Hey lovely son, wake up, the sun is rising!" Rudolf said as he snatched the beddings and checked Robert beneath them.

"How come?" Rudolf asked as Rhoda rubbed Robert's hands and feet.

"He's unconscious and he doesn't appear to be sleeping any longer." Rudolf got concerned as he attempted to figure out why he didn't respond.

"Son, don't make fun of me; it's no longer a joke; open your eyes and look at us; we're here to help you!" Rudolf yelled. "Dad, ache here," Robert said, pointing to his stomach as he gulped for air. Robert muttered slowly,

"Urgg."

"Are you having stomach pains?"

Rhoda inquires, rummaging through her sons' beddings. "Do you have a problem with bedwetting, son?"

"Pain, mom," Robert says gently as he pushes with strength panting again, and odorous liquid bowels flood out of his anal orifice, shocking the couple.

"Honey, let's bring our son to the hospital as soon as possible!" Rudolf screams as he takes Robert's corpse. Rhoda paused for a moment before responding,

"The Coronavirus produces loose stools, fever, and maybe compromised lungs," Rhoda says, adding,

"Robert has just eaten something that isn't good for his digestive system."

"We have some first-aid items here," says Rhoda.

"There's no need to take him to the hospital," Rhoda emphasizes,

"since many of the patients, there are coronavirus victims, we could get infected."

Rhoda's eyes welled up with tears, and her thoughts turned quickly to God for help and healing.

Rudolf carries Robert in his arms as she rubs his entire body from head to toe.

"Please, God, help my son Robert," Rudolf began to plead,

"You have made promises, and I trust You; You cured me."

He stated as tears were streaming down his face.

" You have the power to heal my precious son. He is my absolute favorite. He's fantastic. Please, Lord, hear us because he is priceless to us.”

Rudolf prayed passionately in lamentation, as he took Rhoda's hand in his and they joined hands in front of the portals with Robert's hand.

"We have announced healing in Jesus' tremendous name right now!" Rudolf started,

"As we rebuke the spirit of sickness and pains in my son's digestive system and all throughout his body," Rhoda said, "get cured," Rhoda exhorted and rebuked." Rudolf agrees, ”Amen in Jesus' name through His bruise and strife gain on the cross.”

"Sweetie baby, is it still painful?" Rhoda thought, recalling Robert's liquid bowel movement and the cautious actions of such an indicator to halt it. She asked, and Robert responded with a shake of his head.

"Don't worry, dear; God is good, and He's already curing you!"

"My son Robert be treated right now via Jesus Christ's wounds and strife, and through His blood, the virus is removed from my son as I commanded you in the name of Je-sus Christ my Lord, Right now!" Rhoda commanded.

”Wait, my sweetie, You take this Hydride solution so that you will not be dehydrated by water while I’ll cook hot rice soup and we’ll see after a few minutes.” Rhoda explains to Robert while Rudolf strokes his body, hands, and feet.

"Try eating a little ripe banana to assist your digestive system to recuperate," Rhoda said.

"Then take this Lomotil antibiotic syrup to relieve pain," Rhoda added as Robert nodded.

“It's a good thing God prompted me to buy some first aid and medicine in case of an emergency, Honey," Rhoda adds, turning to Rudolf.

"Now, in an emergency, we can do it for ourselves," Rhoda continues.

"They urged us to be safe at home and avoid going outside. If possible, secure all the holes such as windows, doors, and other openings. Cover it with plastic," Rhoda said.

"We would never give up immediately, but we will maintain adequate consciousness even if the one in distress is our child," Rudolf says, astonished. “He is brought back to normal awareness right away”.

"No more pain, my son?" Rudolf asks repeatedly to be sure, smiling. He is aware of the sour fruits they just eat the day before.

"But not yet," Rudolf continues.

"From now on, you should be aware of what we eat," Rudolf advises Robert and Rhoda, reminding them to eat only clean and healthy meals.

"All feeding bottles, utensils, and drinking water should be sterilized to avoid contamination," Rudolf stressed.

"We'll have the doctor come here for your emergency examination, son," says the mother.

"It's still early, honey," Rudolf advises,

"so I'd start cleaning our surroundings."

"It would be ideal if you could stay with our kid during his recovery stages," Rudolf said.

"Yes, honey,"

Rhoda replied as she followed him out the back door.

"Be aware of small snakes that may be harmful." Rhoda cautioned her husband.

“Honey, look out!” Rudolf called from the rear door,

"What's the matter, Honey?" Rhoda hurriedly gazed out the window as Robert clutched in her arms. Rudolf exclaims.

"Look what I found from those bushes around!" he adds, "Pomelos, lemons, and green oranges from the garden. These trees are already giving citrus fruits!" he shouts. "These are nutritious vitamin-C fruits. Guavas, atis, and guyabano are plentiful here. Some fell down on the ground." Rudolf added.

"Dad, get some for me," Robert begged, gesturing to the fruits in his direction.

"Son, you're only recovering from your stomach trouble," Rhoda reminded Robert, who appeared to be starving.

“Can you wait until tomorrow after the doctor's check-up, son?” Rudolf asks as Robert responded sadly with a nod.

Rhoda smiles and nods,

"Soon, you can talk straight and plainly son, we understand what you mean. Snakes may be lurking nearby, waiting to pounce! "Rhoda teases,

“Come over now, the sun's rays are scorching,"

Early morning the following weekdays, Rudolf was about to enter the back door when he heard a honking automobile coming.

"Good morning Guys!" Rudolf says to the approaching company. The boys greeted him as Rudolf responded.

"We'd like to offer you some nutritious seafood we caught last night from fishing,” Guys said.

"We have some prawns left and we remember you need it because there's a quarantine operation nationwide,” Guys said.

"We'd also like to apologize for the previous time we did something terrible at the grocery shop," the guys said.

"I forgive you already in Jesus' mighty name, guys. You just do your best not to do those bad things again," Rudolf added as they clasp hands.

"Can you tell me how much it cost?"

"I prefer prawns, but they have to be fresh," Rhoda suggests as she and Robert arrive.

"Not very expensive, only P100.oo per kilo." As he collects the payment, one of the guys explains,

"We preserve it with ice inside the icebox."

"If you want some more, we could bring them here again," one of the guys remarked,

"Because you're required to keep secure at home." Guys suggested,

"If you continue to go out, Mam, the situation may not be favorable for your family."

Rudolf answered, "We'll see what else we need."

"But right now, I'm cleaning the surroundings." Rudolf continued.

"That's what we can do for you also Sir; we're the offspring of mountain farmers." Guys introduced.

"We came here to look for work, and we only stay with our distant relatives along the neighboring seacoast,"

they explained.

"We think it over first,"

Rudolf replied as the party walked away happy with the money they had earned that afternoon.