Verbs: Your Writing: Recounting a Recent Incident or Story

Haydee Martinez: 11 February 1997

Yesterday I was so sick that I had to call in to work and let them know that I was sick. I really didn't want to call in because my children were home from school. I knew if I stayed home they were going to drive me crazy. Even though they were at home, I couldn't go to work. I picked up the phone and called at work and my co-worker picked up the phone. I told my co-worker that I wasn't going in to work. He asked me, Why not? I told him that I was going to Honolulu for the day. He started to laugh, and said, "You're so funny Haydee." I replied to him that I was so sick that I wasn't able to perform the job very well.

I'm not feeling very well today so I need to call work and let them know that I'm not coming in to work. I really don't want to call in sick because my children are at home and they will drive me crazy. I decide to stay home, even though they are home. I call work and my co-worker picks up the phone, and I tell him that I'm not coming in to work. He asks me, why not? I say because I'm going to Honolulu for the day. He starts to laugh. "You're so funny, Haydee," he says. I reply, "I can't come in because I'm sick. If I'm able to go in to work, I'll not be able to perform my job very well." He says, "Okay, Haydee. Enjoy the day at Honolulu."