In Sickness And In Health

The knob turned slowly, then the door opened, my head appearing in the gap. “How are you feeling today?”

 She lay on the bed, sprawling on all sides as she centered herself below the cast-iron mandala above her head. The white floral blanket kissed her cheek, as her eyes opened for the first time today. I walked in, unveiling the outdoors with one swipe of the curtain, and sat down on the bed. I put the back of my hand to her forehead for a moment, immediately sensing her overly warm and dewy skin. 

“Good morning sweetheart! I could hear you sleeping last night from my room. Sounds like it’s getting worse.” I gently held the side of her face, casting a light shadow on her cheekbone as she lay still.  She squeezed her eyes shut and reached her right hand up to mine, cupping it from the outside. “No kisses today,” she said with a frog in her throat. “Not till I’m feeling better.” 

I smiled at her, combing back her dark brown hair from her face with my fingers. “Can I get you anything?”

“I need water.” She turned onto her side, moving away from my hand, now covered in sweat. I got up, stacked the dirty dishes from the night before on the breakfast tray, and tiptoed out of the room, quietly closing the door behind me. ⚢