He called about 6:30 while I was getting ready for pool league. Note that XH was very down or very tired or both, and worn out sounding throughout the entire phone call. I thought for a moment he may be drunk as well, but he was very coherent and a little edgy about some things as you will see. Totally the opposite of Mr. Cheery this time.
Me: Hello
X: Hi, how you doing?
Me: Good...how are you?...what's up?
X: I'm good...just following up...I said I'd call you (very defensive re: calling me back)...sorry I didn't call last night...
Me: Oh, O.K., no problem. I only have a few mintues though, as I'm about to go to pool (lightly brush it off)...
X: Oh, I'll let you get ready...
Me: It's O.K., I have a few...So, what's new?
X: (long story about another stray cat that he is adopting that showed up at his door {still trying to get into heaven, I guess-real reference to last adopted cat and nice phone call}
Me: {trying to be affirming of kindness of adopting cat, etc.}
Me: So what else is going on?
X: Well, work is slow again but I had a good summer.
Me: Hmmm
X: What do you mean, Hmmm? (defensively, again)
Me: I just meant "that's interesting...and I remember you saying work was slow last winter, also."
X: Oh
Further discussion from both regarding the pets, parents well-being...I told him that my dad was doing well despite his cancer diagnosis and had chosen an alternative treatment and was doing well eight months later. No questions or comments from X, just acknowlegement.
Then I had an opening, so I enthusiastically said "Oh, guess what?! I'm so excited I JUST HAD to tell you!
X: What?
Me: I'm going to Cozumel!
X: What's there?
Me: You know...sunshine, sandy beaches, umbrella drinks!
X: What's the occasion?
Me: Nothing, just for FUN (this sounded like a foreign idea to him...FUN) It'll be nice to get out of here in the middle of winter.
X: {some sort of acknowledgement I don't recall}
X: So what's new around there?
Me: You mean in town?
X: Yeah
Me: Not much. Well, the road is done (construction) and there a couple of new businesses in town...there's a new "fitness center" I tried out. I'm still deciding if I want to join up...and {as if he didn't know after bringing Sweet Pea up here}
Then X's phone beeps and...
X: This is a work call, I HAVE to take it...
Me: O.K., I'll talk to you later...
X: I'll call you tomorrow
Me: O.K., see you later...
There was more detail but that was the gist of it. He sounded so bad I almost felt sorry for him. I thought about commenting how awful he sounded and was he O.K. but I felt I would get some sort of "yeah, why shouldn't I be?" comment.
What do you all think?
I think I will send the card and pics unless something takes a sudden turn for the worse.
It was Tuesday last week that he called. Tuesday must be a "Sweet Pea Free" day. I actually noticed that pattern in the past.
