Ironically enough, I received the phone call from him in the middle of my conference with my attorney and Dr. Granville’s army of suited lawyers. The law office receptionist told me I had an urgent phone call, interrupting a heated discussion.

I walked over to the mahogany side table where a pristine crystal pitcher of ice water and several glasses sat untouched next to the phone. It was kindness offered in all of its formality, but only in the guises of professional respect while waiting to rip out each other’s jugular veins.

I picked up the phone and could hear Drew on the other end.

“Drew,” I responded. “I can’t talk right now.”

“It moved.”

“Drew…”

“My big toe. I can move it.”

The realization slapped me across the face. Drew was going to be all right. There was no severed spinal region and while I knew this meant it would take several weeks of rehabilitation, it also proved that my new husband was going to be able to walk again.

The smile across my face must have been huge because I could see my attorney across the room suddenly stiffen in his chair, like a deer in headlights, obviously wondering if there were some dramatic news he’d now be able to play against the enemy. I simply looked at him and nodded it was nothing. But it was huge and I knew in my heart how important this phone call was, not only for Drew, but for me, us--- and our lives together.

“I’m in it. I’ll call you once it’s over.” I mumbled quietly.

“I love you.” Said Drew, his voice trembling, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.

“And I love you!” I said loudly, making sure everyone in the room heard it. After all, that’s why we were all there--- because of me loving Drew.

I returned to the table, the piercing wall of eyes looking me over like some kind of zoo attraction that was about to escape. Dr. Granville’s stare never broke.

“Was that your partner?” Asked Dr. Granville.

I nodded.

“Is he all right?” Politely requested Dr. Granville again.

If this son-of-a-bitch was now going to pretend to be actually interested or concerned about my homosexual lover whom I recently married just because I was now suing his ass, I simply wanted to reach across the table and shake him.

But of course I didn’t.

“Drew’s condition is much improved.” I said in my best controlled doctor tone. But what I really wanted to say is MY HOMOSEXUAL LOVER WHOM I KISS AND LOVE AND HAVE SEX WITH IS JUST FINE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH YOU BIG IGNORANT HOMOPHOBIC DINOSAUR!!!

But I didn’t. I remained quiet, happy in the knowledge that regardless of what happened with the lawsuit, there would be no need for a wheelchair ramp anywhere in my home. Drew was going to be just fine.