Ears Stuffy From Cold ★

He sat up, and the simple act of his head moving upright felt like a submarine changing depth. A soft, crinkly pop echoed deep inside his left ear, followed by the sensation of being underwater. His own breath, loud and ragged in his head, was the only clear sound. When he swallowed, his ears answered with a tiny, protesting squeak.

"What?" he asked, for the third time.

Alex saw the flash of red construction paper. He saw the enthusiastic, slightly crooked drawing of a triangle with fire coming out the bottom. He saw his son's proud, expectant face. But the boy's voice was a tiny, faraway squeak, like a mouse on a microphone. ears stuffy from cold

The worst moment came when his son, Leo, burst into the room. "Daddy! I drew a rocket ship!"

Sarah sighed, a soft hiss he felt more than heard. She pointed to the tea, then mimed drinking, then placed a hand on his forehead. Her touch was cool and wonderful. He leaned into it, desperate for a connection that didn't require translation. He sat up, and the simple act of

He found Sarah in the kitchen, her back to him as she made Leo a sandwich. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. She jumped, then relaxed, covering his hands with hers.

She turned in his arms, her face full of sympathy. She brought her hands up, framing his face, her thumbs tracing the circles under his eyes. Then, she leaned in, her lips almost touching his ear, and spoke. Slowly. Deliberately. Each word a carefully launched life raft across the muffled sea. When he swallowed, his ears answered with a

"He. Loves. You. And. So. Do. I. It. Will. Pass."