Ruth

we worked with cadavers for the first time today. it's been decided to use the people's actual names this semester.
i don't know how i feel about it yet.
sometimes, i feel removed. i'm zeroed-in on parts--it feels like i'm studying strata in rocks.
other times, it's so real.
especially when i look at their fingers. they have fingernails. these are the hands that did everything. these are the hands they dressed with, ate with, shook with, punched with, played with, loved with. these hands held their lover's hands.
someone misses this hand.
how can i dig through muscles when someone would do anything to hold this hand, kiss it, stroke it, hold it to their face?

I opened the window..

I was sent home from school today. Well, first I was sent to see Ron who sent me to turn in my assignments and then home.

You don't look so good.

Yeah..

(palm spreading toward me creating distance and shielding the cougar health snob from germs)

You sound even worse. Go to Ron. (and get the h away from me)

Flashback to elementary school, right? I just needed a hall pass.

I'm contemplating wearing a mask. I watched a special on influenza last night. They wore masks. Masks don't actually stop microbes, but I will look socially conscious and responsible.

Let's do reader interaction. That sounds exciting. Describe the last time you smurfed? No... were sent home from school - not necessarily due to illness.

Adam

offered me his cold medicine. I went into the boys' house when no one was home. It was kind of exciting. I also retrieved my missing aloe tissues - equally exciting.

No, I did not snoop. Although, I've heard Chris has a secret barbie stash. That's perplexing.