Chapter 19 -- Virus
Sunday was a day of rest, literally. I did not move much at all. I went from my bed to the couch, then to the shower, back to the couch and back to bed. I felt sluggish and worn out. This did not feel like the normal wear and tear of the week though I hoped it would pass by Monday morning.
My hope turned out to be unfulfilled as I awoke on Monday. I felt awful, but I pressed through my morning ritual and got ready for work. Penny noticed me in the kitchen.
"You look like hell," she acknowledged.
"Thanks, you're pretty hot too," I replied quickly.
She said I looked pale and clammy, but I told her I was going to work regardless. Penny was not one to create unnecessary conflict, but she did insist that she drive me to the office. We rode along, my head in my hands for most of the trip. When we got to the office I proceeded straight to my office and shut the door. I did not want to be bothered today.
The first hour of my work day was excruciating. I had my head down on my desk for most of it because it was too painful to sit upright. I managed to look somewhat functional as often as I could, but mostly, I was useless. Nikki knocked lightly on my door and made her way into my office.
"Hey, you look awful," she said in soft tone.
"Well, that's an upgrade, I guess," I joked, wincing from the pain in my head as I laughed. "What's up?"
"Emma wants everyone in the conference room for a meeting, now," Nikki revealed.
I scraped my sore and achy body out of my chair. I grabbed a pad and pen then headed into the conference room. I was the last one to arrive. Everyone else was seated except Nikki who entered directly in front of me. I sat down next to Leslie at the end of the large table. All eyes were on me though I did not care. I just wanted to be left alone. I said nothing as I waited for Emma to begin her meeting.
"You look like shit," Emma declared. "I will make this quick, so as not to torture you."
"I appreciate that," I admitted.
Brooke's eyes were wide as she stared across the table at me.
"Three weeks from today you are all going to Las Vegas," Emma announced.
There were a bunch of hoots and whistles and some questions.
"There is a law review conference there that Leslie is attending and so are each of you," Emma pointed around the room at me, Brooke, Penny and Nikki.
"It should be a wonderful event," Emma continued. "There is a reception Monday night and the conference is over on Friday, so you will be flying home on Friday afternoon. Nikki will be making the arrangements today and I will be staying behind to run the office. Vivian has agreed to come in and help me for the week. I think this will be a good team building experience."
"Awesome," Penny remarked.
"Absolutely," Brooke agreed.
"Boring and stuffy is more like it," Leslie contradicted them.
"How can you say that," Nikki asked.
"You'll see," Leslie answered. "These conferences are far from fun."
"This will be different," Penny exclaimed. "You'll see."
At that point I just felt terrible, though I was very excited to go to Vegas. My only thought at that point was that I needed to get through the rest of today. I stood from the table and left the conference room without a word. I returned to my office and shut the door. I sat with the back of my chair facing the window into the main portion of the office so I could not be seen. I put my head in my hands and tried very hard not to move.
That plan was shot to hell when I heard my office door open. I turned around to see Brooke entering my office with a purpose. She walked around my desk and grabbed my hand. She pulled me to my feet and I stumbled slightly. Brooke steadied me against my desk and put her hand on my forehead.
