"I need my sister"

So began my Saturday night call with Henry. He resigned from the Sunday night poetry group because the woman who runs it "attacks" him and he can't take it anymore. Apparently they have been at cross purposes since summertime, and things came to a head this past week when she accused Henry of showing up for meetings drunk.

He claims he wasn't. He says it's all different medications he takes after his accident.

I know that, after church on Sunday, he and his friend Phyllis go to brunch and drink wine.

So I think they're both right.

He was very weepy, which is standard these days. But he is showing real improvement. He's empathetic again. That facet of his personality has been missing for the last year. Now he says he's sorry for what he's put me, Reg and Phyllis through. It's so good to hear.

I tell him apologies are not necessary, that I love him and I'll always be here. I tell him the facts and details of the accident are unimportant to me, that all I care about is having him alive and stronger every day.

That's not entirely true. I'm very happy to hear the "I'm sorry." Because he has. on occasion, been an asshole and it's a balm to hear he knows and regrets hurting my feelings.

And because, before the accident, Henry was the dearest, most generous man you'd ever want to meet. I've missed him!

In less than a month we will be together in Key West. That will be good for us both. I predict it will be a merrier Christmas than it was last year (and Christmas 2020 will be even better still).