Page 3 of Missing In Rangoon
Speaking of them, I need to tell them what happened last night, even though the last thing I want to do is talk about it more than I already have. For them, though, I’ll go through it one more time.
My mom answers on the third ring. “Hi, honey. I was just thinking about you. Why aren’t you at work?” We never talk during the day, and I’m sorry I didn’t consider the time when I called her.
“I took the day off after a bit of a rough night.”
“What happened?”
I hate that she’s immediately on alert for disaster, which is a byproduct of her grief over Jim. “I came home and found Tom unconscious on the living room floor.”
“Oh, Lex. Oh no. Tell me he’s all right.”
“He is after a stent procedure to open a blocked artery.”
“Oh Lord. And how are you? That must’ve been so triggering.”
My mom learned about being triggered during Jim’s illness. “It was indeed, but I’m hanging in there. As long as he’s okay. That’s what matters.”
“I’m so sorry that happened, honey. I can’t imagine how upsetting it had to be for you.”
“It was rough, but I’m doing okay. Iris and Gage came to the hospital and took me home to their place.”
“We would’ve come. I hope you know that.”
I wince over having unintentionally hurt her feelings. “I do. Of course I know.”
“I’m glad you were well supported, no matter who was doing it.”
“I was.”
“Have you seen Tom?”
“For a bit this morning. His sisters are with him, and I’ll probably go back later.”
“If it’s too much for you, don’t go.”
“I’m okay. I want to be there for him the way he’s been for me.”
“Which is lovely, but you need to take care of yourself first and foremost. You’ve done a lifetime’s worth of caregiving already.”
“Yes, I have.”
“If he’s going to need a lot of care at home, make sure that’s not being provided by you. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but you can’t take that on, Lex. Tell me you know that.”
“I do but thank you for caring.”
“Daddy and I were just saying that you seem to have gotten some of your sparkle back lately. We’d hate to see that dimmed by a setback.”
“I hear you. I’m being vigilant, but I want to also be a good friend to someone who’s been one to me.”
“He’s a lovely guy. Please tell him how sorry we are that he’s dealing with this.”
“I will. I’ll keep you posted, okay?”
“Please do. We love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I take my iced tea to my room on the second floor. In addition to the kitchenette he says he didn’t put in for me, I suspect Tom took down a wall to give me the sitting room. All I know is it wasn’t there when I first saw pictures of the bedroom and bathroom. It had magically appeared by the time I moved in. That was one of a thousand things he’s done to make things easier, better, nicer for me.