Middle Boy is something of a hypochondriac.  I think.

He is ill from school a lot.  He can vomit on command and they won't let you stay at school if you are vomiting.

Today it was his back.  He has been complaining about it for about five days now.  Allegedly this morning he cannot even walk.  Excruciating pain.

I'm sure this afternoon it will be healed in time for rough-housing or basketball or whatever the choice is.

So...I told him he could stay home, but I didn't feel like he was being trustworthy with his problem.

He is...he really is.  He means it.