Published Mar 3, 2013
I’ve been exiled to the garage all weekend long. It’s because I did the worst thing a new father can do — I got sick. So here I am, stuck out behind the house, wearing a surgical mask, napping in a chair, hoping I don’t get anybody — especially my one-month-old — sick.
It all started Friday. I thought I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but, as the day went on, I could feel it — fever, cough, general misery. I kept up a brave face at work and tried not to cough on my co-workers. All day, I thought: what will I do this weekend to avoid getting Declan sick? Do I get a hotel room? Do I wash my hands every five minutes?
I didn’t get a hotel room, but I did wash my hands every five minutes. I’ve spent my days in the garage and the nights in the guest room. It’s not so bad, since all I want to do is sleep. The problem is: all my poor wife wants to do is sleep too, but she’s got every feeding, every changing, every single thing until I’m well enough to be allowed to touch the baby. The best I can do is wash my hands, grab a paper towel, put on my surgical mask, and give Declan a pacifier he dropped. That’s not much parenting.
Unfortunately, there’s no heartwarming end to this post. Hopefully I’ll be well enough to start carrying my weight soon. I’m miserable now, which is sad; and I miss my son, whom I can only see through the monitor.
