s t r a n g e cousin susan

Would you have any trouble believing I was sick over Thanksgiving? I don’t know what it is about the sister’s abode causing this, but there I was, dripping nose, orgiastic sneezing, and a wee cough Thursday morning, Thursday afternoon, Thursday evening…

Oh. I know *exactly* what causes it: two sweet little girls who carry germs like I carry my cell phone and who generously share them with others.

…and then came Friday, when I woke up on Death’s door, miserable and achey and icky. I laid on the couch for as long as I could before the whole house was up and about, then retired to Star’s room, where I started out convelescing on her armchair and eventually moved to the floor, my head resting on throw pillows and a blanket pulled over me like armor.

A little while passed and I heard Star’s bedroom door open. Star came in and looked at me, placed a few stuffed animals close to my inert form and announced she was there to take her nap, but first, Auntie Mickey, I need to open the curtains because it’s too dark in here. I think I mumbled something in agreement as winter sunlight flooded the room.

A few minutes later, Star declared she was only staying until the big hand was…there…at 11:00. Okay, I said somewhat groggily and closed my eyes again; when Star said my name again and alerted me that she was leaving five minutes later, I was sad to see her go, but thankful for the quiet that would follow.

Fast forward a minute, an hour, a couple hours, I’m not sure. The sister comes in to let me know el cunado has arisen from his nap and I would be more than welcome to move to their room and sleep on a proper bed. I’m quite pleased to hear this and jump up, bounding out of the room as quickly as I could, given my aforementioned state of ill.

At some point while I am resting on this proper bed, Star comes into the room and says, “Hi, Auntie Mickey.” I respond in kind and then she says, “Auntie Mickey, are you going to sleep in Bar’s room next?”

God, I love that wee girl.