Gail Thomas is an LA-based lawyer-turned-writer and actor. She has always been busy at work, so when a casual situationship formed with a handsome man, she figured the arrangement gave her freedom. It’s only after she was diagnosed with cancer that a certain clarity set in. Interview by Sophie Wilkinson
I was in my forties when I met Wes* through a dating app. He was smart, funny and looked like a nerdy Hugh Jackman. He was also in his forties but we acted like students. We had a similar sardonic sense of humour and spent weekends biking, hiking, and being generally silly.
After a few months of dating, Wes said he wanted to just be friends, which didn’t bother me much, because he still called several times a day, slept over twice a week, and helped around the house. Sometimes, he’d just call to ask me which coffee shop to go to, which felt oddly flattering. He needed me.
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He could be vague about coming over, yet would always turn up, so I called him Mr Maybe. I tolerated and guided his indecision. I was good for him, and I was falling in love.
