The Virtues of Illness

The cat comes to snuggle at 5:30 in the morning, right on time as always, and her aggressive affection pulls the covers off of my shoulder, waking me from a dream of suburban subdivisions and swimming pools. 

Floating up to consciousness, I realize I'm covered in sweat and the sheets and my pajamas are soaked through, but my one shoulder exposed to air is freezing, causing me to shiver uncontrollably.

I pull up the sheet, dislodging the cat who protests with a small "yow" and settles in again, and am able to fall back into dreamless, time-traveling sleep.

When I wake up to get ready for work, I feel hollowed out and calm, as if I have been wrung out and now only essential things remain.