The Boyfriend gives care

Cough Cough blech Blow nose Hydrate Hydrate Cough Cough Blech
That's been my mantra this weekend. In order to spend last weekend with the boyfriend before he leaves on Tuesday for far away state, I parked my sickly infested self on boyfriend's doorstep on Friday evening.
"I just need some quiet place to lie down."
"Oh you poor baby. Come here. Let me take care of you."
After 4 years, I should know better. The Boyfriend is an incredible man. He is a good man. He makes all things nice and clean, all budgets kept and maintained, all financial emergencies planned for and anticipated. I know I shall never go hungry with him.
But The Boyfriend is not a caregiver. It is simply not his gift.
"I am going to take a shower"
"Do you think you should?" The Boyfriend follows me around, nervously "I mean, you are sick right?"
"Yes. I just want to take a nice warm shower"
"I don't know. Maybe you shouldn't. How did you get so sick? Is it because you are always drinking cold water. I told you not to drink cold water."
"Yes. Boyfriend. It's because I drink cold water. Why don't you just finish with your packing?"
"Ok, But I am going to be here. If you feel faint or anything, just call. And leave the bathroom door unlocked. Just call ok.?"
"ok"
I take warm bath and rub myself with Vicks (ah the soothing smell of Vicks), got myself hot tea and a book, wrapped myself in my quilt and went into a CkopfOkopfUkopfGh ing spell.
CRASH. "WHAT WAS THAT?", The Boyfriend comes running.
"Nothinkopfcoff...Nothing...just a cough."
"Ok that's it. No more reading. You have to take some cough syrup. Just stay here. I am going to get you the cough syrup."
rummage rummage later
"Baaaabeeey,
where's the cough syrup?"
"It's in my bag...with the other medicines"
"Where?"
"In my bag."
"Uhm...I can't find it. Are you sure you bought it?"
Speech mingled with Agitation + throat irritation. "Don't worry about it"
"What?"
"I said - Don't - worry - about - it."
"Ok. I'll find it."
Sounds of searching ensue.
"Do you want me to cook something for you? I could make some rice."
"No. I don't want rice"
"Sandwich?"
"No."
Searching sounds get louder.
"Soup?"
"Ok. Fine. Soup."
"What kind?"
"What kind do you have?"
"Leek."
The Boyfriend pops in seconds later with a bottle. I am huddled in bed, drinking warm tea, reading book
"Hey baby. I think I found the syrup."
Uhmm....
"Hey baby?"
"Yeah...what?"
"Can you make sure this is the one? I don't think you bought yours. And this is an old one the doctor gave me when I was sick. I think it still works."
I look up from my book. The Boyfriend stands there. Looking at old bottle. Scratching head. worrying. Trying so hard.
And suddenly, I am overwhelmed with love for this magnificant, intelligent but ohsohelplesslylost man.
Which is why I told The Boyfriend to go play pool. After all, there is only so much a sick in the throat, chest and head girl can take of a magnificant, intelligent but irritatingly-lost- when-significant-other's-sick man