Misunderstanding

Ethan curled up on the bed.  His eyes itched; his nose itched; his face – hell, he just plain itched.   He buried a powerful sneeze into the blankets and sighed, resisting the urge to scratch at his eyes. 

Tim came in and began changing his clothes, then ducked in the bathroom to scrub his hands and arms.   “I’m sorry.”  He reentered the bedroom.   “I didn’t realize you were that allergic.” 

“You were covered…” Ethan paused, sneezed again, “in dog hair.” 

“You were early.  I didn’t have time to change.”  Tim pointed out.   

“I wasn’t, though.   I texted…said we be done early and to let me know if it didn’t work for me to come at six.  You didn’t respond, so I assumed…”. He sneezed again. 

“I didn’t get the te…” Tim pulled out his phone.  “Oh.”  His phone was off.  “I’m sorry.  It does that.  I need a new one.”    

Ethan sighed, giving in and rubbing his eyes.  He took a tissue from the box Tim had scrounged up and blew his nose, then sneezed, repeating the blow.   Rubbing his face, he sighed again.  “This…” He gestured to his nose, “isn’t going to quit for awhile.” 

“Bless you.  I…I’m so sorry.  You said allergic…I just assumed a few sniffles and sneezes, not straight away from me, sneezing.” 

Ethan took a fresh tissue.  “It’s gotten worse as I’ve gotten older.   And I don’t take allergy meds this time of year.” 

“I can offer Claritin?” 

Ethan buried another sneeze into the tissue.  “That would be a help.  But you’re in for an hour of this, regardless.”  He clawed at his face.  “So itchy.”  He complained. 

Tim slipped out, returning with the Claritin and water for Ethan.  “Can we go to the living room?” He asked.  “At least then I can talk to you while I make dinner?” 

Ethan’s response was another huge sneeze, followed by a nod.  He took the battered tissue box from Tim and followed him to the living room.  “You’re still making me dinner?” 

“After this misunderstanding , I think I owe you dinner,” Tim commented as Ethan sneezed again.