The False Illness

DeRay’s sister, Clare, was legitimately sick.

A harsh cough; congestion, misery.

When DeRay started to hack

After he and Ed spent a week with her,

I called it a False Cough.

It sounded like he was faking it to me.

Copycat.

Desiring to be like his beloved sister.

Nevertheless, the doctor treated him for pneumonia.

A week later, when I caught it,

I deemed it not so false.

Then Eddy caught the fake cough

and joined the chorus.

These false ailments are the very hardest to cure.

Irritating.  Exasperating.  Grating. Exhausting. Agonizing. Miserable.

For nearly a month now.