Fadedwords

Jake is doing much better after his trip to the emergency room.  He’s been taking it easy, resting, and sleeping whenever he’s needed it.  His back is still a little sore, so we’re not sure what’s causing that.  Thankfully the medicine is helping with everything though.  I’m quite relieved that he’s alright.

Tomorrow is the start of the school year for all the staff.  I large part of me is looking forward to this; I know that our new principal is really fantastic and I’m very excited about working with him.  There are so many people I didn’t get a chance to see all summer, and I’ve missed them greatly.  I’m also a little sad to see the summer fade away.  I feel like I haven’t accomplished nearly as much as I wanted to, or relaxed as much as I could have.  I suppose the best laid plans usually go astray.

This week is all teacher work days.  We have orientation on Thursday evening, which should be a nice night.  It’ll be good to see parents and students again.  Then school starts on the 25th.  Next week is shaping up to be busy.  I return to work, I have my first group riding lesson (which I’m quite nervous about), and it’s looking likely that I’ll be able to go see SARK at a book store in Durham.  I don’t want to get my hopes up about that yet, but I have wanted to hear her speak for quite a long time and it’s quite possible that I’ll get to do that.   Keeping fingers crossed.

Jake IMed me yesterday morning and told me he wasn’t feeling well.  I encouraged him to try to eat something and get lots of fluids in.  He ate an orange and then went idle for awhile so I assumed he was doing better.  At about 2ish he IMed me again and said he really felt bad, that his back had started to hurt too, and he needed me to come and get him.  He had driven the bike to work, and didn’t think he could keep it up.  He also said he thought he needed to go to the doctor.  Approximately ten seconds later I was speeding down the highway.

I had planned on taking him to urgent care, but when I saw him I knew that plan was changed.  He was clearly in a great deal of pain.  He had a fever.  He looked awful.  I had never seen him looking so terrible.  When I asked if the emergency room was OK he responded with, “Whatever’s closest.” Yet another clue that the ER was likely the best choice.

They got him back and in a room very quickly thanks to the acute pain in his back.  I’ve never seen him in so much pain, and I hope I never will again.  It took two shots of pain medicine, but eventually he was knocked unconscious.  That part was kinda fun.  He was in and out of it, one minute asleep the next minute saying random stuff.  He was finally comfortable, which was all I cared about.  His fever broke too.

After tons of tests we were told he has a bad case of strep throat, complete with a white blood cell count of 18,000.  When he gets sick, he does it well.  They didn’t do too much investigation on his back, but gave us a prescription for pain medicine and a note to see a back doctor if the pain persists.  He has antibiotics and all sorts of lovely things to take.

On the way home last night he requested a “strawbrerry” shake and a cheeseburger, and I was inclined to oblige him.  I was just glad he was feeling hungry, as he’d been so sick earlier that the thought of food made him queasy.  It was torrential downpour last night, and driving was terrifying.  We decided to wait on picking up his medicine until today because of it.  I’ll be picking those up on my way back from my WW meeting this morning.  I’m only going to weigh in today, because I don’t want Jake to be alone for too long.

I can’t begin to explain how relieved I am that it’s only a case of strep.  I was incredibly worried seeing him that way.  It’s not like I didn’t know how much I love him, but seeing him sick had my heart in my throat.  I told him that now we’ve both had to go to the emergency room and we’ve seen each other at our absolute worst… so we’re even.  No more of that.  He agreed.

*while watching the show Rome on HBO*

Me: Really?  You shouldn’t be in love before you get married?
Jake: *chuckle*
Me: I’ve been going about things the wrong way.
*pause*
Jake: Did you take the cash out of my jeans before you washed them?
Me: Yes.  But there will be a $20 fee for laundry this week.
Jake: *laugh*
Me: Seriously.  I’m trying to follow what Rome says about relationships.  I’ll have you a price listing for all my services tomorrow.

Jake: I don’t like to rabble rouse.
Me: …

*There was more to this, which would actually constitute a conversation… but I can’t remember because I was laughing too hard.

It began with a comment on my website on May 24th, 2005.  When I woke up that day, I was sad and dreading the hours that would stretch out before me.  I was going through what would be the beginning of a very long break-up.  I didn’t know that I would wake up and my life would change.  I certainly didn’t expect a comment on my website to be the catalyst.  It was a simple comment, one that basically said, “Hey I’m Patricia’s son.  I like your writing.  Keep up the good work.” It was from a man named Jake.  I didn’t believe he really even knew Patricia, let alone by birth.  I checked it out, and his story was confirmed.

That comment turned into daily IM conversations, discussing everything from the latest episode of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ to what we wanted to name our children one day when we found ‘the one’.  Those conversations helped me get through some of the hardest months I’ve ever had.  This stranger who found me because of my blog became one of my best friends.

Nearly a year after that comment, Jake flew to meet me.  As soon as I laid eyes on him, I suspected my life had changed.   I was right. Since that day I have begun work as a counselor.  I have purchased my dream dog.  I have purchased my first home.  I have found the happiness I didn’t believe existed.

Jake is my boyfriend, but he is also my best friend.  That comment, three years ago, was the beginning of my future.  I am forever amazed at the things you can find on the internet.  Some people find furniture or great deals on computers or used cars.  I found the love of my life.

I think I got the best deal.