I hadn't spoken to XOW's BH since amicably agreeing with him nearly a year ago for him to contact me if he wanted to talk-he was moving to a place with no landline and no mobile signal,so it was for him to phone me if he wanted to. There was no contact,I'm fine with that. I greatly supported him for the first 8 or 9 months post d-day as he seemed to be falling apart. He was drinking heavily,on AD,suicide attempt etc.,partly caused by a completely non-apologetic and non-remorseful wife,with lots of blame-shifting and TT which I know is still ongoing.
Out of the blue last Friday I answered a phone call from him,and was shocked at what he said and how he said it. I asked was he OK,in a hostile tone he said,and I quote "no,not really.You can tell that husband of yours that the titties he used to suck on(ie his wife's)have breast cancer. And it's terminal". End of conversation,he put the phone down.
It's left me reeling on several levels.First,I thought it was a cruel way for him to speak to me,he must have known how hearing him be so explicit would feel. I wonder if he was expecting/hoping my husband would pick up the phone (they haven't spoken since before d-day),and had a rant prepared which got diverted to me.I know he must be very upset by the diagnosis,but why take it out on me?
Second,is it true?I'm sure the breast cancer diagnosis is true, but OW was always a hypochondriac,spent a lot of time during the LTA sitting on the pity pot and justifying her actions.Please anyone who is suffering breast or any other cancer, I am not minimising or unsympathetic to this awful disease,but from past experience of her she would always exagerate her "illnesses",and maybe or maybe not it is terminal,I just don't know.
Third,why did XOW's BH phone? I can't see how it would benefit him in any way. If he thought I would be happy,his tone of voice didn't indicate so. Did XOW ask him to tell my H? If so why,did she want to see him one more time?
And lastly,my own reaction to this news. Even a few months ago I wished all sorts of things onto her. But now,surprising myself,I just feel really indifferent. I've discussed my feelings about this at length with my H (and his feelings with me). I feel neither pity for her,nor am I jumping with joy,which,if I'm honest,I expected to feel. Just indifferent. Is this where healing is supposed to lead,really not giving too much head-space to the OW,though I do still often brood in other ways on the affair.
I have said to my H there is still to be no contact with her,he has reassured me he has no wish or intention to do so even if pressurised,and will tell me if any contacts are made by her(or her BH). I'm inclined to believe him as he looks back on time spent with her as a "nightmare",and has been incredibly sensitive to the effects the phone call had on me,and how it set off triggers(just done fund-raising event for cancer care,and sex last night!)The change in him and work he's putting into R are tremendous.
Just feeling a bit all over the place tonight after a good few weeks,and needed to share Thanks for reading.
[This message edited by overandone at 6:17 PM, September 16th (Monday)]