Sydney Sawyer's cramps had her tossing and turning in bed. Lying on her stomach, on her back, wrapped tightly in her blanket on her side—no position brought her any comfort.
"Syd." Sylvie Lockwood sat by the bed and gently woke her. "Get up and take this painkiller."
"Hmm?" Sydney Sawyer opened her eyes.
She had never experienced cramps this severe and had never taken painkillers before. Unsure where she'd picked up the notion, she had always thought taking them was a bad idea, so she looked at Sylvie Lockwood with hesitation.
"You're in so much pain. If you take a pill, you'll feel much better very soon. It's not like you take them regularly. Taking medication when needed for period cramps won't have any negative effects. Don't be misled by certain ideas that you shouldn't take medicine."
Sydney Sawyer nodded, swallowed an ibuprofen capsule, and snuggled back under the blanket to sleep.
