Page 89 of Someone to Watch Over Me

Yes!

She calls.

“Hey. Thank you so much for calling.”

“Of course. Wow, I can’t believe what happened to your friend Tom. Is he doing okay now?”

“He is and expected to make a full recovery, which is a bit of a mind-bender for me after living with someone who would never recover.”

“I can imagine it takes a different mindset to approach Tom’s recovery.”

“I’m working on that.”

“What the heck were you thinking with the Google?”

I laugh at how she phrases that. “I know! I’m the one who tells others to stay off Google when they receive a diagnosis of any kind.” Jim and I found that the more information we had about his illness, the more terrified and anxious we became. We made a vow to limit the influx of info to only what was needed in that moment. It was a good policy and one I should’ve stuck to with Tom’s situation.

“Of all the things for it to be called, too. Ugh.”

“Right?”

“Lexi, you know that he’s not in any immediate risk of having that kind of heart attack again, right? The problem that caused the first one was corrected, and he’s being closely monitored and will continue to be going forward.”

“Yes, I know, and still, my anxiety is crazy.”

“It could be that what almost happened is fully sinking in now that the crisis has passed.”

“That’s possible. Things with him have gotten more involved since his heart attack. We’ve said and done some things that’re leading toward a relationship.”

“Are you feeling ready for that?”

“I want to be. I think it’s safe to say I’m in love with him, and vice versa.”

“That’s so wonderful to hear, Lexi. I’m thrilled for you.”

“I want to be thrilled for me, too.”

“Then you need to stay off the Google!”

I laugh. “I know. Trust me. Huge mistake.”

“If you ask me, you’re reacting to fully understanding how serious his heart attack was and how close you came to losing him. Before you did that search, his condition was more abstract. Sure, you know a heart attack is serious, but a widow-maker is a whole other level.”

“Yes, I’m sure that’s what’s causing the anxiety.”

“Would you feel comfortable talking to him about this?”

“I don’t know.”

“You might feel better if you told him what you were thinking and feeling.”

“I’m trying to imagine starting that conversation when all he wants to do is move on from it.”

“Would he want you to be suffering from your worries over him?”

“Not at all.”

“You should talk it out with him. It’ll probably ease your mind.”

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