(It’s Thanksgiving, and I’m sick from food poisoning. I’ve eaten something nasty while travelling to my relatives’ house, and I’ve asked everyone not to disturb me. Dinner is about to start.)

Aunt #1: “Honey, I wish you were feeling better. Do you want me to bring you a plate of something to eat?”

Me: “No thanks, aunty. I don’t think me eating right now is a good idea.”

Aunt #1: “Okay, tell me if you change your mind.”

Me: “Thank you.”

(She leaves. Several moments later, another aunt comes up.)

Aunt #2: “Honey, I’m bringing a plate up for you. What do you want?”

Me: “Thank you, aunty, but I’m really not feeling well.”

Aunt #2: “Well, sweetie, even if you don’t want to eat, I wish you’d come down and sit with us. I haven’t seen you in so long.”

Me: “I wish I could, but standing up makes me dizzy right now, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to go downstairs.”

Aunt #2: “Well, come down if you feel a bit better.”

(She leaves. Several moments later, a cousin of mine comes up.)

Cousin: “[Aunt #1] and [Aunt #2] say you have to come downstairs for dinner.”

Me: “I really don’t feel well.”

Cousin: “They say you need to just sit with them for a bit.”

(I give up. I go downstairs, and not even five minutes in to dinner, bolt from the table to throw up. I finally return to my room, where I sleep peacefully, until one in the morning. That is when the entire family, drunk out of their minds, come up to my room.)

Aunt #1: “Honey, are you awake?”

Me: “Why are you all in here?”

Aunt #2: “We wanted see if you were able to fall asleep.”

Me: “Yeah. I did. Thanks.”

Aunt #1: “We brought you a plate!”