Jim groaned as he rolled over in bed, his body aching all over. His head throbbed, his stomach churned, and his legs felt like they had run a marathon in his sleep. There was no way he could make it to work today. He reached for his phone and dialed his boss\u2019s number.<\/p>\n
The phone rang a few times before his boss answered, his voice brisk as always. \u201cYeah, Jim? What\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim cleared his throat and tried to sound as miserable as he felt. \u201cHey, boss. I not come to work today. I really sick. Got a headache, stomach ache, and my legs hurt. I not come work.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a brief pause before his boss sighed. \u201cJim, you know I really need you today. We\u2019ve got a lot to do, and I can\u2019t afford to be short-handed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim closed his eyes, expecting his boss to tell him to drag himself in anyway. Instead, his boss chuckled and continued, \u201cListen, Jim, when I feel like that, I go to my wife. I tell her I\u2019m not feeling great, and she gives me some loving. Makes everything better, and I can get back to work. You should try it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim blinked in surprise. That was not the kind of advice he had expected. He mumbled a quick, \u201cOkay, boss,\u201d and hung up.<\/p>\n
Lying in bed, he pondered his boss\u2019s words. He felt awful, but what if there was some truth to it? Maybe it was worth a shot. After all, what did he have to lose?<\/p>\n
A few moments later, he turned to his wife, who was reading a book beside him. She looked over, raising an eyebrow. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim hesitated, feeling slightly ridiculous. \u201cBoss said when he feels sick, he goes to his wife. She gives him some love, and he feels better. Maybe it works?\u201d<\/p>\n
His wife burst into laughter, shaking her head. \u201cThat\u2019s the dumbest thing I\u2019ve ever heard.\u201d But then she shrugged, \u201cWell, if it works for your boss, maybe it\u2019s worth a try.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim, still skeptical, went along with it. To his surprise, after a while, he actually started feeling better. His headache seemed to ease, his stomach settled, and his legs no longer felt like lead. Maybe his boss was onto something after all.<\/p>\n
A couple of hours later, Jim picked up his phone and called his boss again. When the line connected, he said excitedly, \u201cBoss, I do what you say, and I feel great! I be at work soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a pause on the other end before the boss spoke again, a little confused. \u201cSee? Told you it works.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim grinned. \u201cYeah, boss, you got a really nice house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence.<\/p>\n
Jim could almost hear the gears turning in his boss\u2019s head. Then, all at once, there was a sharp inhale. \u201cWait\u2014Jim, what do you mean?!\u201d<\/p>\n
Realization hit, and Jim\u2019s face turned pale. \u201cUh\u2014gotta go, boss!\u201d<\/p>\n
He hung up quickly, staring at his phone in horror. He had misunderstood completely. His boss had been talking about his own wife, not Jim\u2019s wife!<\/p>\n
Jim swallowed hard, wondering if he should just call in sick again and avoid work for a few days\u2026 or maybe forever.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, his boss sat frozen at his desk, staring at his phone in disbelief. Then, shaking his head, he muttered, \u201cI need to be a lot clearer next time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim did go to work that day, but let\u2019s just say that he avoided making eye contact with his boss for a long, long time.<\/p>\n