Sickness

"I don't want to stay in bed."

"But you're sick."

"I can't stand staying in bed," her voice is sniffley and petulant. "I'm going to the sofa."

With her robe wrapped around her and clutching her tissue box like precious cargo she shuffles to the sofa and flops down.

The front door bangs open and Shikamaru calls out, "Hey, mom, I'm back. What're we having for supper?" He drops his pack noisily at the doorway.

Shikaku stomps over to him and it's a nice stomp, a reassuring stomp, a just-for-her stomp. "Be quiet," he hisses threateningly. "Your mother is sick."