Daily Prompt: Write Here, Write Now – Sick Day

January 29, 2014 by BulgingButtons 19 Comments

I hear the nagging alarm at the usual time and hit the snooze button. Slowly it dawns on me that I don’t feel right. My head feels swollen and full and my body feels worn and ragged. I push myself to a sitting position and turn off the alarm, which is buzzing again. I remember now. I am in my clothes. I am fighting off sickness but I am losing the battle, even after a ten hour sleep. I shuffle to the bathroom to assess the damage. I hardly recognize myself. My only desire is to return to the warm nest I have recently vacated. This wish is impossible.

I wake my sleeping son with a croaking voice. He is puzzled. So am I. I turn on the computer, squinting at the blinding display. I fumble through a few different prompts and finally request a sub for my class. I am hopeful one will arrive. I immediately begin plans for the day. I write feverishly. Do I have a fever? I’m not sure, but I continue writing. Plans for the day complete I shuffle to my closet and dress. I do not look professional. I look horrible. Good.

I drop my son at his school and park at my own school. I choose my spot carefully. I walk into the office and apologize for not being superhuman. I am forgiven. My pallor, no doubt, is convincing. I make a set of copies and weave my way to my classroom. I shuffle a few things about and organize stacks of work for the day. Still, no sub has taken the job. The principal tells me another teacher will cover my class until a sub comes. If a sub comes. Should I feel guilty? I do not. I am sick.

I leave just as the bell rings. My strategic parking pays off. I back out without difficulty. I drive home. I survey my bed. At last. My wish comes true.

Write a post entirely in the present tense.

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Author: BulgingButtons

I'm a middle aged woman doing the things that middle aged women do and trying not to beat myself up. I'm living the life I choose with the man I love, the grown up son who impresses me all the time, and the most adorable pup ever rescued from the euthanasia list. We live in the heat of the Southwest, where I regularly sweat through my Lane Bryant bras.