Perfect Little Replacement

“Boss, I am so, so sorry. I have no idea that…”

“That you were going to fall sick? Who has prior ideas about stuff like that? Come on, stop worrying your head and get the rest you need.”

“It’s just that I understand that you had no intention of showing up now, and yet I messed it up. I…”

Phil’s croaky voice turned into a wracking cough that had Reyona wincing from her end.

“Sorry, are you sure you don’t want me to come take you to the hospital? I can do that and still…”

“No, no….” cough “I have done enough. I can just…”

“Babe, you really need to stop talking. You are going to keep hurting your throat.”

Reyona raised her eyebrows in amusement as she heard Phil shush the male voice at the other end “Sshh. I am talking to… this is important, okay?” cough.

“Oh, I am sorry, but you shouldn’t be talking this much. See? We need to go to the hospital right now. Jeez, babe, you are burning up.”

“I know… I… just…go, okay. I need to…”