I had to stay home and wait for a delivery.

My kid's sick.

I couldn't call to tell you I wouldn't be coming in, because I had to wait for the phone repairman to show up.

I had a twenty-four hour flu.

My car wouldn't start.

My __________ died and I had to go to the funeral.

I had to go to the hospital. They thought I had appendicitis, but it turned out to be gas.

So you missed me after all!

I have to take a day off now and then so you'll appreciate all the things I do around here.

I had emergency root canal surgery. My mouth was full of cotton the whole day, so I couldn't call.

I worked until midnight yesterday, and was so tired when I left that I couldn't see straight.

I don't think the car accident is really the company's fault, but I wanted to try and sleep the headache off instead of going to the doctor.

I was preparing for my tax audit. The IRS can't believe I survive on the pittance you pay me.

I was out of town for the weekend and they shut down the airports due to bad weather, so I couldn't get home.

I was working from home. I can't get anything done here; it's too hectic and there are too many distractions.

I had a horrible case of shingles and even the thought of putting on clothes nearly drove me insane.

The jury I was on was sequestered and we weren't allowed to leave or contact the outside world.

I was cleaning my parents' bomb shelter and I got locked in.I was there for two days before they found me. Luckily, there was plenty of food and water and a chemical toilet.

I was at the shore when a whale beached itself. We spent the last two days trying to push the poor thing back into deep water.

I got amnesia three days ago when I got hit in the head by a ball. It wasn't until this morning that I suddenly remembered who I was. Some things are still fuzzy.

I had acute food poisoning and I couldn't leave the bathroom.

A friend called and threatened to commit suicide. I spent eight hours on the phone trying to convince her/him life was worth living.