Vignette

The morning sun was hazy, filtering first through low winter clouds, then through the bedroom window blinds, filling the room with a tepid, vaporous half-light. I was lying on my side on the bed, shivering despite two thick comforters.

It had been a very long night, with fitful rest punctuated with racking bouts of the flu.

I was exhausted, aching and nauseated, unable to lie comfortably for any length of time. I was dimly aware of Zack and my wife awake and bustling about the house in the background. Suddenly I heard my son's voice chirp up from the hall outside, "Is Daddy okay, Mommy?"

"Yes, don't worry, he's just got the flu. Remmber you had it earlier in the week and now you're fine."

"Oh."

A moment later I heard the bedroom door quietly creak open and small feet shuffle tentatively in.

"Daddy?"

"Yes Zachery", I answered wearily without turning.

"Mommy says you're sick..." he paused, then continued quietly, "Daddy, you can have some of my watermelon jellos. They're good for your tummy when you're sick. You can eat them."

Despite the aches, despite the fever, despite the tiredness, I smiled to myself. "Thank you Zachery." I replied faintly.

"You're welcome Daddy."

And the door closed quietly.

God, how I love that boy.

Comments are always welcome. Links too, are always nice. You can reach me at dadchronicles(at)hotmail.com