A little scare
I received this message on my cell phone at 9:02 p.m. tonight :
Hi Flo, this is Crazy Joe’s girlfriend. I just wanted to give you a call — Crazy Joe asked me to call you just to let you know he’s going to be in the hospital for a couple of days. He needs some fluids, he’s been a little dehydrated.
Hearing that message made my heart sink. I knew he was sick — it just started when I saw him Friday afternoon — but I had no idea it was serious until his girlfriend called.
Joe was my boyfriend for five and a half years back in the early 90’s. Though we broke up ten years ago, we remained close. We talked every couple of weeks, and met for lunch whenever I was in Riverside, California, where he lives.
When he needs something big or small, I’m always there. He has done the same for me. In fact, since my separation from my soon to be ex-husband, Endicott, Joe has been more than loyal, helpful and kind. I can’t imagine getting through this experience without his help. (My parents, my brother, my best bud, Jean Luc, my good friend, Spamelot are amazing, too. But none of them are in the hospital, so let’s get back to Joe!)
There was a long pause on the other end of the line before his slow, grumbly voice asked, “Hello?”
Turns out what he thought was the beginnings of the flu was actually pheumonia. Add in his two jobs, very little sleep and his diabetic condition and it’s immediately clear why his kidney began to fail. He was lucky to get help when he did.
After our brief chat this evening, I phoned his girlfriend to convey my thanks for the phone call. She said that every time he talks to me on the phone, he laughs and laughs, so she thought it would be good for him to speak with me this evening….Isn’t that thoughtful and kind? I think I might actually like this woman!
Kinda scary,
Flo
Add comment October 31st, 2006