Good Medicine

Now's not a good time to visit. Other than Holt, who has thus far managed to escape the mist of germs that float throughout our house, we have all had one thing or another. Some of us have had the pleasure of multiple ailments. Poor Mouse is battling a cough and a nasty case of pink eye.

Juliana and I both began to feel ill at CFT Monday night. We got home and had matching fevers and matching symptoms. Oddly, I have strep and she does not. But we are such a nasty pair that Birch has elected to bunk me and her together and sleep in Holt's room with Carolina.

This means that for the past three nights my king size bed has contained 4 pillows (she sleeps better propped), separate thermometers, a box of kleenex, a bottle of gatorade, 3 animal friends, an Ipod, two cell phones, and occasionally a border collie. The first night I was shivering so much I asked him very politely if he could just lay on me instead of between us. As usual, he only does as he pleases, and this didn't sound like maximum comfort to him. I think he was afraid we couldn't both easily reach him for petting. Priorities.

Here's what's weird: I've had the best time. Bird and I have had a few contagion-imposed spontaneous girls' nights.

The tv has been on Food Network nonstop for the past 88 hours...all night long. I've learned how Wonder Bread, jalapeno poppers, matzo balls, and various and sundry other food products are manufactured. Did you know actual rabbis oversee the matzo balls during production? See, I have not lost my educational verve even while unwell. Impressed?

We both seem to wake at 4 every morning and are unable to return to sleep. Things seem much funnier at that hour. She loved being awakened one night to my question of, "Have you ever tried boiled peanuts?" (For the record, I have and they're not very good).

I can't wait to be off all this medicine. I can't wait for Juliana, who feels worse than I do, to be better. I look forward to all of her junk.. I mean stuff... to be back in her own space. But, I will miss my all-nighters with Bird. I will miss the multiple beep beep beeping of simultaneous thermometers. I'll miss my sick buddy.