SIPPING SLOWLY

It was first thing in the morning and my son Alex walked into the kitchen where I was pouring hot water into a tea cup.

“Morning!” I said to him as I put the kettle down and went over to the cabinet to get the bottle of apple cider vinegar. “How’d you sleep?” I went over to my cup of hot water and poured a splash of the vinegar into it.

“Pretty good.” He went over to the cabinet and pulled out his own cup, watching me as I went to the refrigerator and took out the bottle of lemon juice. “You’re still doing that drink?” He asked as he got his coffee from the shelf.

I sighed. “Yeah, it doesn’t taste very good but it seems to be helping.” I opened and closed my fingers to show him the results. “The inflammation seems to be getting better because I can work on a needlepoint canvas without being in pain anymore.”

Alex nodded as he set up his pour over coffee filter. “You have been sewing a lot more recently.” He acknowledged.

He looked over as I poured lemon juice in my cup followed by a few squirts of honey.

I smiled as I picked up the container of cinnamon. “And now for the finishing touch!” I laughed as I sprinkled the cinnamon until the entire surface of my cup was covered.

Alex shook his head. “I don’t know how you can drink that every morning.”

“On an empty stomach.” I reminded him as I took a straw and began stirring. “Well, here goes.” I held out my cup for an invisible toast before taking a few sips.

Alex watched me as I muscled through several more sips before I had to stop drinking and couldn’t help but shudder as I shook my head. “Wow that’s one tart way to wake up every morning!” I shuddered again.

Alex started to laugh. “Hey, you’re the one who’s been saying it’s worth it.”

“Totally worth it!” I said as I began moving my fingers again, on the hand not holding my cup, while I glanced over the rim to see how much of the drink was left.

With only a few inches left I made the final commitment. “Well, here goes!” I said as I began taking the last few sips.

Finally, I could hear the sound of the straw as it reached the bottom of the cup. “I did it!” I cried as I placed the cup on the counter top and leaned my head back, crossing my arms across my chest, and doing one final shudder. “It’s still yucky but I have to say it’s getting less yucky every day.” I uncrossed my arms and began moving my fingers again. “Have I mentioned that it’s totally worth it?” I asked again.

Alex began to slowly pour the hot water over his coffee grounds. “Are you stating a fact or are you just trying to convince yourself?” He asked.

“Both.” I admitted with a laugh. “Hey, if I really wanted to do it right I’m actually suppose to be sprinkling some cayenne pepper in there too.” I began to shake my head. “But that’s not happening.”

“Why not?” Alex put the kettle down.

“Are you kidding me?” Another shudder came out of no where. “Tart and heat at the same time, first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach!” I shook my head. “There’s no way I could start every morning like that.” I was still shaking my head. “Absolutely no way.”

“Hey, if it’s suppose to be better…” Alex laughed.

“Nope.” I began moving my fingers again. “This is just fine the way it is.”