Ears - Stuffy From Cold

But the worst part, the most isolating part, was his ears.

He looked at himself in the steamy mirror. His eyes were glassy, his nose red, his expression one of profound, frustrated loneliness. He was right here, in the heart of his home, surrounded by the people he loved most, and he was marooned on an island of silence. ears stuffy from cold

His wife, Sarah, came in with a cup of tea. He saw her lips move, forming familiar shapes—"Good morning," "How are you feeling?"—but the sound arrived as if from the end of a long, tiled hallway. Words were mashed together, consonants lost, vowels warped. The gentle clink of the mug on the bedside table sounded like a dropped hammer. But the worst part, the most isolating part, was his ears

Leo's lower lip trembled. He didn't understand sickness or Eustachian tubes. He only understood that his dad, his audience, his playmate, was unreachable. He clutched the rocket ship to his chest and ran from the room. He was right here, in the heart of

Sarah sighed, a soft hiss he felt more than heard. She pointed to the tea, then mimed drinking, then placed a hand on his forehead. Her touch was cool and wonderful. He leaned into it, desperate for a connection that didn't require translation.

He sat up, and the simple act of his head moving upright felt like a submarine changing depth. A soft, crinkly pop echoed deep inside his left ear, followed by the sensation of being underwater. His own breath, loud and ragged in his head, was the only clear sound. When he swallowed, his ears answered with a tiny, protesting squeak.

"I can't hear anything," he mumbled into her neck. "It's awful. Leo thinks I'm ignoring him."