MidReal Story

The Flu

Anonymous

Feb 16

Scenario:A story set in 1987 about a 13 year old girl called Samantha, known as Sammi. She has long ginger brown hair and freckles and has two younger sisters, Rebecca, known as Becky aged 9 and Erin aged 8. Becky has auburn hair and Erin has ginger blond hair. One Sunday afternoon in February, Sammi comes down with a bad case of flu. She can't stop coughing and sneezing, her nose is blocked and runny, she has a stuffy head and also a sore throat and earache. She's so blocked up she has to breathe through her mouth. Sammi goes to bed early evening and spends the whole of the next day in bed. Erin says to Becky that Sammi needs wrapping in blankets and their mum gives her an extra blanket. She takes paracetamol, hot honey and lemon drinks, nose drops and a brown cough mixture that she finds horrible. She doesn't eat anything for a day, then on Tuesday she has some toast and gets up at lunchtime. She spends the rest of the day on the sofa and had hot vegetable soup for lunch, but she can't taste it. The next morning, Sammi is better than she was and she waves to her sisters as they leave for school, standing by the window in her dressing gown blowing her nose. On Thursday, Sammi is much better and she gets dressed after spending days in her pajamas. Her mum is going to work and Sammi is able to stay at home on her own for the day. She feels stronger and makes herself more vegetable soup for lunch and she can now taste it. By the weekend Sammi is recovered, although she still has a bit of a cough and snuffly nose and she goes back to school Monday

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A story set in 1987 about a 13 year old girl called Samantha, known as Sammi. She has long ginger brown hair and freckles and has two younger sisters, Rebecca, known as Becky aged 9 and Erin aged 8. Becky has auburn hair and Erin has ginger blond hair. One Sunday afternoon in February, Sammi comes down with a bad case of flu. She can't stop coughing and sneezing, her nose is blocked and runny, she has a stuffy head and also a sore throat and earache. She's so blocked up she has to breathe through her mouth. Sammi goes to bed early evening and spends the whole of the next day in bed. Erin says to Becky that Sammi needs wrapping in blankets and their mum gives her an extra blanket. She takes paracetamol, hot honey and lemon drinks, nose drops and a brown cough mixture that she finds horrible. She doesn't eat anything for a day, then on Tuesday she has some toast and gets up at lunchtime. She spends the rest of the day on the sofa and had hot vegetable soup for lunch, but she can't taste it. The next morning, Sammi is better than she was and she waves to her sisters as they leave for school, standing by the window in her dressing gown blowing her nose. On Thursday, Sammi is much better and she gets dressed after spending days in her pajamas. Her mum is going to work and Sammi is able to stay at home on her own for the day. She feels stronger and makes herself more vegetable soup for lunch and she can now taste it. By the weekend Sammi is recovered, although she still has a bit of a cough and snuffly nose and she goes back to school Monday

Samantha "Sammi" Thompson

caring, and introspective. Sammi spends several days in bed with severe flu symptoms, relying on her family for care. Despite her illness, she remains concerned about her sisters and mother. As she recovers, she gains independence by staying home alone and managing her own meals. Her bond with her sisters strengthens during this period of illness.

Erin Thompson

curious, and affectionate. Erin shows concern for Sammi's health by suggesting ways to help her feel better. She enjoys playing with Sammi when she's recovered enough to join in activities again. Erin looks up to Sammi as a role model and values their bond as sisters.

Rebecca "Becky" Thompson

energetic, and playful. Becky helps care for Sammi during her illness by suggesting ways to keep her warm and comfortable. She is protective of Sammi and enjoys spending time with her when she's better. Becky's relationship with Sammi is close and supportive, often seeking guidance from her older sister.

It was a Sunday afternoon in February 1987, I was thirteen years old and I had two younger sisters.

I had long ginger brown hair with freckles, my sisters had auburn hair and ginger blond hair, they were aged nine and eight.

I woke up on this Sunday afternoon with a bad case of the flu.

Every time I coughed, I had to grab my ear, my throat was sore and I was coughing up a yellow substance.

My head was blocked and sore, my nose was blocked and runny at the same time and I had to breathe through my mouth as it was so blocked.

I was going to stay in bed and go to sleep.

The next morning, I was still very poorly.

My mum had been working all weekend on a part time job and she was going to work on a different part time job from Monday to Friday.

I wasn't eating anything, I just drank water.

My sisters were looking after me bringing me drinks and being kind to me.

My mum came home from work and said she was going to stay off work for the week to look after me.

The next morning, Sammi was still very poorly.

My mum said she would take me to the doctors but I couldn't go as I was too poorly to get out of bed.

I lay in bed, the room spinning slightly as I tried to focus.

My throat felt like sandpaper, and each swallow was a new wave of discomfort.

"Becky, Erin," I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper.

They appeared at my door, their faces a mix of concern and determination.

"Can you bring me more water?" I asked, managing a weak smile.

Becky nodded, darting off to the kitchen while Erin stayed by my side, her small hand patting mine reassuringly.

Moments later, Becky returned with a glass of water.

"Mom said you should try to eat something," Becky insisted, setting the glass on my bedside table.

"But there's something else," Erin added, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"We heard Mom talking on the phone—she said she might have to take us all away for a while."

I sat up in bed, my heart pounding.

"Where?"

I asked, my voice still hoarse.

Erin shrugged.

"She didn't say. But she said it would be an adventure."

I nodded, my mind racing with possibilities.

An adventure sounded like just what we needed.

The next day, I was still in bed, but I was feeling a little better.

I had managed to eat some toast and drink some hot vegetable soup.

I was feeling stronger and decided to get up and go downstairs to the living room.

I sat on the couch wrapped in a blanket, flipping through the radio stations.

The static crackled until a voice broke through, announcing a contest with a family vacation as the prize.

My ears perked up, and I turned up the volume.

Becky and Erin rushed over, their eyes wide with excitement.

"We should enter!" Becky exclaimed, bouncing on her toes.

Erin nodded eagerly, her face lighting up with anticipation.