The thing that hurts the most about the extreme cramps in Noah’s right calf is the realization that up until that point, he had been in a position of extreme comfort.
That normalcy, the default state, could have been this, there is no reason that this isn't what life just feels like.
One day, when Noah is older, he may have this cramp in his leg and be unable to stretch it like he is now.
This could be a thing that just happens at a moment where he has long lost his agency.
Who will point his toes to the sky then? Who will ask if he's okay when he can't hollar like he is now?
Will he be forced to suffer quietly, agonizingly, unable to reach anyone?
The thing that hurts the most about this is that it makes Noah aware that he is privileged, that one day he will not be.
He punches the wall.
The thing that hurts the most is knowing that this could happen any time, that, yes, it does happen mostly when he drinks too much but it COULD happen any time.
Is he now going to live in fear every waking moment?
What a cruel game, the sword of damocles hanging over his right calf and prone to drop.
As an even more abstracted metaphor rushed into his head, so too did his wife into the room.
The thoughts stopped.
Maybe the thing that hurt the most about the extreme cramps in Noah’s right calf was the extreme cramps in Noah’s right calf.
“Sorry.” said Noah, choking on his tears.
“What?” said Anne, putting her arms around him.
“Nothing.”
“Okay”