Sickdays

I've always enjoyed being sick. It's one of the only times when everyone I deal with is completely nice and considerate. I think it's because they are afraid I'll breathe and give them my disease.

When I'm sick, I like to lie down and pretend there's a war going on inside my body between the white blood cells and the flu virus. The white blood cells are a committed, battle ready army, but the virus uses guerrilla tactics to attack the sinus, throat, and head. Sneezing, coughing, and headaches are signs of the battles being waged. I try to hold out, but eventually, I have to start deploying Advil and NyQuill bombs to eliminate the threat.

After watching a few hours of Saved by the Bell, Family Matters, and old Jordan and Bird highlights on ESPN Classic, I feel like I'm 10 years old again, staying home from school. If I close my eyes and dream hard enough, I can picture myself throwing warm water on the thermometer, hoping it'll reach at least 99 degrees so I can avoid serving detention for just one more day.

I miss those times. Even now, there are days when I'd rather be home sick than anywhere else healthy.