Baby and I are sick with the most awful cold, which is what I say every time I get sick, but this one really is a doozy: lingering cold accompanied by fever. Not so great timing either, but again, when's a good time to get sick?

Today I learned that you can ask debt collectors not to call you, in writing--a certified letter to be exact--and by law they have to stop. Doesn't make the bill go away but at least you can answer the phone paranoia-free, especially when the bills aren't yours but the phonecalls seem to be.

The day after he left I received confirmation when the song "How Long (has this been going on)?" by Ace, came on in the car. I said, "yeah, ya know. How long has this been going on?" Separating from him revealed my denial.

So, he called me tonight. He's in detox. He's called the past few nights to briefly state that he was okay. I then relay the message to his folks, who are having a hard time with this, again. His mom thinks it's her fault. His dad thinks treatment is not the answer and that hard work is.

I know he's in the right place at the right time. I just know. Not for me or us, but for him. WE do not exist right now. Tonight he said detox is over Friday. I said he can't live here. He said he needs more time in. Everyone knows he does. He wanted to know if I was going to be okay with him in treatment for so long. Could be 1, 3, 6, or even 9 months. I told him that after a month he'll know what he needs. I also said do this for himself. He asked how things are here. I laughed because of the irony. And my answer was this (and there must have been a radio by the phone he was using), "You hear that song? I heard it Friday while driving and found it meaningful. There it is again."

Yeah, Ace's "How Long" was in the background of our conversation ... and it's 2007!