My Marathon Night

It was about one o'clock in the morning when I went to bed last night. After putting the baby to bed, making JT's lunch, ironing and stitching up the hole in JT's uniform, I wrote a blog post and went to sleep. I knew I'd have to get up early for the cable guy to install a phone line today. But I figured I'd get at least seven hours of sleep and that would be more than sufficient. Life had other plans, as usual.

3:00 a.m.: JT wakes up with an excruciating backache. His back has been bothering him a little for the last few days--apparently gun belts, although sexy, are also the number one reason why so many cops have bad backs. But last night he was in a terrible amount of pain. He couldn't move.

I offer to take him to the hospital--no, I insist on it--but JT keeps saying he'll tough it out. We don't have insurance right now--the new department's plan won't cover us until September. I give him some Ibuprofen from a dental operation and eventually his pain decreases enough to where he and I are both able to get back to sleep.

4:30 a.m.: JT’s phone rings. It's one of his classmates, of course. JT turned his phone off so I never found out what the guy wanted. I know they all get up early (JT sets his alarm for 5:00), but seriously? What was so important that this guy had to wake other people up? I’m sorry, but it’s hard enough trying to be supportive to one recruit--I do not need the rest of the class waking me up at 4:30 in the morning.

5:15 a.m.: JT leaves for class. I’m stunned that he can even walk--but then again he was never one for calling in sick. He reminds me that the cable guy will be here at 8. I ask him to set my alarm for that time.

5:57 a.m.: JY wakes up crying. I hold her, rock her, give her a pacifier, and try to talk some sense into her. “It’s too early, baby--don’t you think it’s a bit early to get up?” The message sinks in: she relaxes and goes back to sleep in her crib.

6:45 a.m.: JY wakes up again--and lets me know that this time, she’s up for good.