Symptoms

The cough is dry, with a thousand microscopic edges that scrape the sides of my throat with each spasm. My brain feels shrouded in a soupy fog. My face aches.

These are signs that a rare summer cold has settled into my body for the weekend.

They have emptied the dishwasher and loaded it with lunchtime plates and glasses. They kept the house quiet-ish for an hour while I rested. They forgave my shortness with them.

These are signs that some of the parenting work we've submitted is working after all.