A Lull in the Storm

The warm glow of the morning sun still lingered in the air as Ashley cleared the breakfast table, Ender's happy chatter and the clinking of dishes providing a soothing background hum. As she rinsed the plates and loaded the dishwasher, she couldn't shake off the feeling of fatigue that had been growing inside her since morning. She knew she had to take it easy, but for now, she had to get Ender ready for the day. As she led Ender to the bathroom to brush his teeth, Ashley caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her eyes widened as she noticed the distinctive butterfly-shaped rash on her cheeks, a telltale sign of a lupus flare. She sighed, feeling a sense of resignation wash over her. The rash was a clear indication that her body was struggling to keep up, and she needed to take extra precautions to manage her symptoms. Ashley helped Ender squeeze a dollop of toothpaste onto his toothbrush and guided him as he brushed his teeth, his bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement as he scrubbed his teeth with gusto. As he rinsed his mouth and spat out the water, Ashley handed him a towel to wipe his face. As they walked back to Ender's room to get him dressed for the day, Ashley's mind began to whirl with thoughts of her impending flare. She knew that she needed to take it easy, to rest and recharge, but she also had to make sure that Ender was taken care of. She couldn't bear the thought of leaving him in someone else's care, not when he was so young and vulnerable. As she helped Ender into his favorite t-shirt and jeans, Ashley felt a pang of frustration. She had so much to do, and her body was failing her. She took a deep breath, trying to push aside her worries and focus on the present moment. For now, she just needed to take care of Ender, and herself. With Ender dressed and ready for the day, Ashley took a moment to smooth out her own hair, trying to tidy up her appearance. She knew that she looked tired, and the rash on her face wasn't exactly a confidence booster. But for now, she just needed to focus on getting through the day, one step at a time. As she led Ender out of his room, Ashley felt a sense of determination rising up inside her. She would get through this, she would manage her symptoms and take care of Ender, no matter what it took. She just needed to take it one step at a time, and trust that she would find a way to navigate the storm that was brewing inside her.