A Visit With The Torturer

I still get a lot of people inquiring about The Torturer via emails, comments and tweets.

He's alive and doing fine.

Those of you who have read here for a long time probably have an understanding of my relationship with him, but newer readers may not.  Come to think of it, I'm not sure The Torturer and I understand our relationship ourselves.

Hate?

Love?

A mixture of both?

For my newer readers, let me see if I can explain briefly.  The Torturer and I have known each other for 15 years.  During the last four years, we have spent more time together than any two people probably should.  It was primarily in the form of him torturing me (he was my physical therapist - I was in very bad shape).  

There were other things going on too, however.

For instance, there were numerous days of me sobbing on him (in extreme pain).  Yes, we're talking The Ugly Cry with snot dripping from my nose.  The Torturer would hand me kleenex after kleenex, seemingly un-fazed by my tears.

And there was laughter - a surprising amount of laughter considering the circumstances.  

There was also The Torturer getting permission from my surgeon so he could be in the operating room during my worst surgery.  That is something I will be forever grateful for.  It was a little easier to go through because I knew he was there.

And there was always ...

And I mean ALWAYS, an incredible amount of banter and shit-giving back and forth between us.

We are friends.

We also have oil and water personalities.

We get along, we fight, we makeup, we laugh, and then we piss each other off all over again.

It's just the nature of our relationship.

He is the most difficult man on earth not an easy personality.

And, of course, I am ... a piece of cake?

* Ahem *

But most of all, we are friends and I think we will be for life - whether either one of us wants to be or not. 

It's just as simple as that and twice as complicated.

When my physical therapy with The Torturer ended rather abruptly last February, I think we both walked away with very hurt feelings.

Since then, we've been communicating via emails, text messages and occasional phone calls.  I've asked him for arm advice, and I've given him computer advice ... and on and on it goes.

On Tuesday morning, it was finally time to break the hurt-feelings-stand-off in person.  After some negotiating (meaning he refused to buy me lunch), I sauntered into my old PT, which he and his partners own, as if I'd never left.   

"Can someone please give me a heat pack and a massage?" I asked, before The Torturer even had time to acknowledge my presence.

He might have snorted and rolled his eyes so I went on to demand request a hug.

My visit interrupted The Torturer while he was working on a patient with a shoulder problem.  (How ironic!)

I jumped onto a neighboring table, plugged in a heating pad, tossed it over my shoulder and arm and began chatting away.

The Torturer, who learned long ago not to be surprised by anything I do, attempted to act as if my behavior was quite normal.  Which, I suppose, it is - for me.

"You need to stop sending me bills," I informed him.

"This is how it works, 24.  If you pay your bills, they stop coming," he replied and laughed.

I rolled my eyes.

A minute later, to the amusement of others in the room, we were back in full bantering mode.  It was as if we hadn't been apart for a day.

Some things never change.

And oh yes, we hurled insults at each other too because that is what we do, and we know exactly how to irk one another.  Verbal sparring is our primary form of communication.

At one point he retorted, "You're SUCH an OC woman!"

I raised my eyes in shock at this extreme insult.

"I am NOT!  And if you weren't so overly SENSITIVE ..." I replied.

The big news with The Torturer is - he's suffering with shoulder pain lately.

Ok, I admit, I burst out laughing when I heard, but only because I thought he was joking.

"I know, I know - you're thinking karma's a bitch, aren't you?" he asked.

Well ....?

And I admit I giggled a little when he complained to one of the PTs who work for him that his shoulder hurt enough to keep him awake one night.

"Annoying, isn't it?" I inquired a bit too sweetly.

I thought back to the many times I dragged myself into PT utterly exhausted from being up all night with pain only to have The Torturer, unsympathetically, demand I work harder.

Of course, you do know I would never wish even a fraction of the pain I've experienced on anyone.  And yet, if The Torturer HAS TO experience a little pain in his life, I might find it somewhat ironic that it's in his shoulder.

I mean, isn't that just a teeny, tiny, bit ... funny?

A new patient entered the room.  She too, is a shoulder patient.  (But, you know, a normal shoulder patient unlike the train wreck that is my arm/shoulder/neck/chest/upper back.)  She began talking to The Torturer about her shoulder and didn't stop.  Seriously, I don't think she ever took a breath.

I sighed.

I walked over to a floor mat.  I got out a big exercise ball and began putting myself through my old PT workout.

I saw The Torturer give me a somewhat incredulous glance from across the room.

I ignored him, of course, and went right on with my stretching.

(Do I dare mention it was more of a workout than I've gotten with my new PT in my first two visits combined?  I don't want to inflate The Torturer's ego or anything, but he is an excellent PT.)

When I was done I glanced over at The Torturer.  The woman was still spewing nonstop words from her mouth and showed no sign of coming up for air.

"I'm going to go check my email on your computer," I informed him as I walked past.

He shook his head in resigned exasperation.

What can I say?  I feel very at home in that building.  I spent a huge chunk of the last four years there, after all.  Besides, I remember it annoyed some of the office staff when I hung out in The Torturer's office and I live to annoy people.

(heh - just kidding!  sorta!)

The rest of my visit was pretty uneventful.  I talked to The Torturer about my concerns with my new PT.  As much as it pains me to admit it, I do respect his opinion and I also know he understands my arm situation better than anyone else.  And, oh yes, as much as it pains him to admit it (and it does - a lot!), I know he cares about me and my recovery.

Is it still called a recovery if you never fully recover?

Before I left, I made a suggestion.

"You should give me a PT session ... um, for free." I added sweetly.

"FREE?!" he bellowed in mock outrage.

I giggled, "Yes!  FREE!"

"You would have to ask your physical therapist if that was okay," he said with just a touch of hurt in his voice.

"No, I wouldn't," I replied with a defiant grin.

He sighed and began walking down the hall.

"Hey, I need a hug before I leave," I called after him.

Grudgingly, he returned and squashed me in a bear hug.

"I'll see you for that free PT session soon," I called after him as he walked away.

I'm pretty sure I heard a "Hmmmph!" from him in the distance but I could swear he was smiling.

How much do you want to bet, my visit totally made his day?

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[Joanne]

now why am I not surprised that you go to a place that has Therapy AND Margarita in it's title??

[di]

Of course it made his day. I bet he pines for you constantly... LOL

Di

[Maureen@IslandRoar]

Oh, you're so funny. How could you not make his day?

[WebSavvyMom]

-->I'm glad you two stepped back into your old routine. In my mind, The Torturer looks like Bob from The Biggest Loser.

~deb

[Tami]

How could you NOT make his day? You make my day every day just by coming here to read. The man might be difficult but clearly you two care about each other. I'll be waiting to read that your back with him full time. Some things are just meant to be. You and the torturer belong together.

[Kristan]

:)

I'm so happy to read this, and not just because it's hilarious.

(Hello, Hollywood? 24 is a sitcom waiting to happen!)

[missy]

Some things just remain the same..........

[Kelly]

Yay! I love you and The Torturer together. Absolutely you two make for the BEST stories! I smiled and laughed through this whole post. Of course you made his day. The man may be stubborn but clearly he knows how much fun you are to have around. I'm so happy you saw him. Now one or both of you needs to get over your pride and figure out a way to get back together for pt regularly. Remember the 3 pound weight story? You were so excited when you lift it. C'mon 24, you two need each other! : )

[Jan]

LOL - of course your visit made his day! You're going to have to step on this new PT of yours - she has some mighty big shoes to fill.

[Tiffany]

You are so funny! Loved reading this! I'm with Di, the man surely has been pining away for you. Torturer stories are the best. This post made me so happy!

[Pam]

Good for you! I bet you made his day too!

[Michelle Pixie]

I wish we were closer because even though he puts you in pain after dealing with PT for Monkey's arm over the past couple of weeks I fear we aren't getting what we need and he sounds like someone who wants to make things better. We need that right now! I am so glad you were able to put things aside for your friendship...it is important!

I have to tell you I have a whole new found appreciation for what you are going through watching my little one going through something fairly similar. XXOO

[Jack]

Ah, the love affair that never was. Reminds me a bit of Moonlighting. ;)

[Anne Gibert]

How can there be any doubt that you made his day?

Ending feuds is always the best practice, especially with someone you really love.

[Kate]

this made me smile. Your fights w/the torturer and the banter are hilarious. Entertainment at its best!

[Life with Kaishon]

This made me feel so happy.

[Loralee]

It's always comforting to see some friendships can always be salvaged. YAY!

[Pseudo]

I'm glad to hear you are back to torturing the torturer ; -)

[Lara]

Yay! This made me smile. Love him and love you and love the two of you together.

[Jon]

A real friendship is worth overlooking hurt feelings for. With all you've been thru together, I hope you will both fight to hang on to each other. Friends aren't easy to replace.

[The Queen of Chaos]

I'm so glad you went back to "Torture" him lol, I knew it would happen, just knew it! How long did the new patient keep him occupied? Was she still spewing when you got done in his office?? Did you flash your skin to show her the true meaning of "shoulder injury"?? (ok ... maybe that was rude)

[Diane]

Just getting caught up. Been gone a few days. So glad you and the torturer are making amends. After seeing the photo of you with Neil I have to say Jan is right you're gorgeous. Torturer must be secretly in love with you. How could he not be? I hope it works out and your friendship stays strong.

[Twenty Four At Heart]

Um ... just to set the record straight - The Torturer is most definitely NOT "secretly in love" with me. I promise!

[Cari]

Loved this post. When people really care about each other they get over the rough spots. Clearly you both do care. Any chance of being reunited for PT? Or is the insurance still an issue?

[Linda Tustin]

It is good to "forgive" and come full circle in stuff like this. I bet it made your day too. Me? I hate unresolved relationships! At least you two can be friends again now. :)))