My Neurotic Sister

The other day my sister asked her husband to run an errand for her, and he obliged. Soon after he left the condo, my sister heard an ambulance siren. It should be noted she lives in the city of Boston, not in the suburbs, and so sirens are a fairly common sound. Scared that he had been in an accident, and feeling upset that it would be her fault-- she had sent him on the errand - neuroses set in. She called him to make sure he was ok; he was.

This is the subtle difference between my sister's neurosis and my own. I would have thought the exact same thing about the accident, but I never would have called my husband. I'd be too worried he would think I was crazy if I called. I would have waited with a pit in my stomach until he returned home.

Actually I just thought of something clever I have done when stricken with similar worries. When my husband is out doing something for me, and I get nervous it is taking too long, I think of something else I need, so I have an excuse to call him and track his progress.