First Argument

I hung up on Paul today. It took him quite by surprise. We've never argued before, aside from the odd sporting debate.

We're not in Boston on that romantic get-away I gave Paul for Christmas because he's sick. He's been sick since last Thursday, when he woke with a bad sore throat. I'd hoped he'd be better by Christmas, but he's shown no signs of improvement at all. He said he intended to see a doctor if it wasn't better by today.

He called this morning and was running down his to-do list for the day - errands he was running both personal and for his children. (Can they really be so oblivious to the fact he's sick??) I asked him about going to a doctor. He said he wanted to give it a little more time. Then he said that he didn't want to spend the $40 in co-pays it would cost him to visit the doctor and purchase the inevitable prescription. I just blew! I told him he was being stupid. I told him I'd seen him waste more money than that on total crap, simply because it was on sale! He ought to be willing to invest that much on his health! I offered to pay the freakin' $40 if he'd just go see a doctor! He responded with something like "thank you for caring about me," which I suspect was designed to make me back off. I didn't. I told him I didn't even want to talk to him if he was going to act like that. He said, "Okay, I'll talk to you later then." I said, "Okay, bye," and hung up.

About 45 seconds later, the phone rang. He said, "I didn't think you'd really hang up. I didn't think you were serious." I informed him that I was very serious. He asked if I would have called him back. I told him I would not have.

I hate to be another person telling him what to do. He's really almost TOO good natured and I see people take advantage of him all the time. But I worry about him. (Someone has to!!)

He went to the doctor. It is strep throat. I suppose it's a good thing he refused to kiss me on Christmas. He's on medicine now (the co-pay was only $5!) and hopefully he'll start feeling some improvement by tomorrow or Thursday.

I don't like twisting arms and bullying people. It's really not my style. But it's better than sitting by and watching him suffer and do nothing about it.