Me:Justin didn’t either. I think Erik knew Ant would want to know.
Dr. Barlowe:Interesting.
Me:Look at us, communicating like real adults and everything.
Dr. Barlowe:Good job.
I fall back onto the couch in my T-shirt and boxers. Absentmindedly stroking my belly, I consider his words.Pretty sure he wanted to say good boy instead of good job.
I could leave the conversation there, but, of course, I don’t.
Me:Thank you, Dr. Barlowe. I’m glad you approve.
There’s a pause on his end, and I wonder if I haven’t pushed it too far.
Dr. Barlowe:How did your AA meeting this morning go?
Me:It was OK.
Dr. Barlowe:Just OK?
Me:A good friend had a setback. It was hard to see.
Dr. Barlowe:Does that make you worry about your own sobriety?
Me:I don’t know if I would say worry. It just reminds me that I can’t ever get complacent.
Dr. Barlowe:I hope it also reminds you that there is nothing wrong with having to start again.
Me:His wife was waiting for him in the car, and then she went to her Al-Anon meeting. She looked devastated. I would never want to do that to somebody.
Me:#singleforlife
Dr. Barlowe:If you broke your arm and couldn’t work for several weeks while it healed, how would that make you feel?
Me:Ouch. Why do you have to break my arm?
Dr. Barlowe:Answer the question, Ignacio.
Fuck, that’s so good.
Me:I’d feel shitty about it because it would put Justin and Jason behind, and I don’t want to do that.
Dr. Barlowe:But do you think they should fire you for accidentally breaking your arm?
Me:Pretty sure that’s illegal.
Dr. Barlowe:Why is it illegal?
I release a sigh, seeing where he’s going.
Me:Because people break their arms all the time. We’re allowed to be human.
Dr. Barlowe:What if it’s somebody with osteogenesis imperfecta, brittle bone disease? Somebody who not only has many broken bones but will continue to experience that for the foreseeable future. Is that someone who deserves employment? Love?
Me:Of course they do.
Dr. Barlowe:Now, if you’re #singleforlife because that’s how you wanna live, that’s one thing. But being in recovery doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be in love and build a life with someone.
