Illness

I am suffering from a life threatening illness – again.

My last life threatening illness got me out of going home for Thanksgiving.

This time, I'm all tucked into my bed, blankets pulled up, pretending to feel sick and trying to look peaked because there is no way in hell I am going on this blind date that Topher arranged "in my best interest".

Topher is sweet, I like him, really. But he just tries too way hard. He thinks he's like my self-appointed cheer-up committee or something. He wants everyone to be happy like he is all the time… or pretends he is anyway. I wonder sometimes.

Anyway, he's set me up with, in his words, "Lukey... a hunk of mega-proportions." I'm assuming his name is actually Luke. Topher's idea of a hunk and mine are a little different. I'm not going. No way.

"Fever?" Rick asks appearing in my doorway.

"Oh uh… yeah…" I say, trying to sound tired and weak.

"Mmm… that's a shame, you'll miss your date."

I nod slowly, not trusting myself to sound disappointed if I actually speak.

"…you don’t want to go anyway…"

I look at Rick for a moment and finally shake my head no. Rick grins, sits on the bed and picks up my phone.

"What are you doing?" I ask, sitting up now that I no longer need to pretend I'm ill. Rick is silent for a moment and then he starts talking.

"Christopher?" He asks, grinning at me, Topher hates it when people use his full name. "Hey, Topher, it's about Sean… right, no I'm sorry, he's not going to be able to meet your friend for dinner tonight…"

I grin and flop in Rick's lap. As usual, thank god for Rick.

"Oh, well… he's really feeling poorly… Mmhmm… fever, yes… burning up, I'm about to stick him in a cold shower."

Do you have body parts that shrink when someone says "cold shower", or is that just me?

"Yeah so… call the guy?" Rick starts playing with my hair, flattening out my messy look. Damn him. But it feels nice. "Come over…?"

I start to sit up and protest, but Rick saves me.

"Nono… don't do that, we don't want you catching what he's got and besides, he's just going to sleep…"

"Mmm… " I sigh as Rick threads his fingers back into my hair and close my eyes. Rick's hands are warm.

"So you'll call to cancel for him… hm? Oh… well yes, I'm sure Luke would be happy to accept you instead." His voice changes and I am treated to Rick's inner Queen. "Ooooh… what to wear?" He slips off my bed and paces out my door. He's such a clothes horse... do you know his closet is a fucking ROOM? "I'd do that tight black… yeah that… wait, what? He has a Prince Albert? Tophertophertopher... "

"He has a PA?" I call, but of course I get no answer. Now I'm really feeling sick.