I came down with a sore throat on Saturday and by Sunday afternoon I had a high temperature, aching body and bad cough. Thinking it might be the flu, I went to a doctor on Monday and got the news that it wasn’t the flu, but was another nasty virus. He prescribed a potent cough medicine and sent me home to wait out my recovery.
Each day, Aloma asked me how I was feeling. Rather than go through all the details, I said, “If I were still working, I would call in sick today.” That response wouldn’t mean much to most people, but after 40 years of marriage and watching me go to work even when I didn’t feel well, she knew exactly what I meant. Finally, yesterday, five days after I got sick, I told her, “I would think about going to work, but would stay home again.” She knew I was improving.
This morning I announced, “I would go to work today, but might come home a little early.” She knew that even though I sounded awful, I must be feeling better. Sure enough, I got out of the house for the first time, drove to Sam’s and did a little shopping.
We laugh often how, because of our many years together, we use short cuts in our conversations that our partner completely understands, even though anyone else would think we were nuts.
PS The day after I went shopping, I relapsed. Aloma said, “I told you not to go to work yesterday.”
Seasoned Man
stevelem117@gmail.com
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