ARE YOU SICK?

I’d slept on the couch, so that I could sleep sitting up, and not bother my husband Steven with my constant blowing of my nose.

I watched as dawn broke and my alarm went off telling me it was time to get ready for work.

“Oh, man.” I sighed as I pushed the blanket off of me, swung my legs off the couch and reached for the glass of water on the coffee table.

Moments later my son Alex came out into the living room. He scanned the room taking in the tissue box and bottle of hand sanitizer that were on the coffee table.

“Did you sleep out here last night?” He asked.

I stood up to stretch. “Yeah. I didn’t want to bother your Dad. I think my allergies are kicking up.”

Alex looked suspicious. “Are you sure you’re not sick?” He took a step back as I passed him to go into the kitchen.

“I’m fine.” I said as I felt my chest tighten and tried to avoid the coughing attack that was about to start.

“You don’t look fine.” He leaned against the doorway of the kitchen watching me put the kettle on for my tea.

I turned my head and coughed into the crock of my arm. “I’m totally fine.” I said as I got my tea cup out and set it next to the kettle. “Nothing a hot shower won’t fix.”

My husband Steven came into the kitchen. “You never came to bed?” He asked as he went to make his coffee.

“I must have fallen asleep on the couch.” I lied knowing full well that I’d planned on sleeping there.

“She’s sick.” Alex said from the doorway not wanting to come into the kitchen.

“I’m fine!” I said but the crack in my voice said differently.

“Are you staying home from school?” Steven asked as he passed me to get water to put in the coffee maker.

“Why would I stay home?”

“Because you’re sick!” Steven and Alex said in unison.

“Okay, maybe I have a little cold.” I admitted. “But I work in a school. The school year just started. Everyone’s sick.”

“Everyone?” Alex asked stepping back even further. “What’s going around now?”

I shook my head. Neither of them had any idea what bugs went around in my school. I sure wasn’t about to start telling them now because I’m pretty sure they’d have me sleeping in the garage if I did.

“Fall allergies are going around.” I said as my kettle clicked off and I began to pour the water into my cup.

Steven leaned against the counter and looked over at me. “You look and sound like more than just allergies.”

I could feel my nose start to run and I hurried over to the tissue box.

Alex and Steven stood there shaking their heads as I blew my nose.

“Why don’t you just call in sick?” Alex asked.

“Because…” I really couldn’t think of a reason.

I could feel my eyes start to water. “Okay, fine.” I sighed as I wiped my eyes with the back of my sleeve. “You win. I’ll call in.”

“I think everyone you work with is going to feel like the true winners.” Steven walked by me holding his coffee cup. “With you not making them all sick.”

I looked over at Alex who was still standing several feet away from me.

“I’ll go get the Lysol and start spraying everything I’ve touched.” I left the kitchen and headed for the linen closet in the hallway.

“I appreciate that!” Alex called to me from the kitchen. “How about you start in here so I can make my coffee?”