A woman whose husband is having a total hip replacement, whose friends and family members have offered to sit with her during the procedure, but she has been met with resistance when she declines. She believes that people should ask if they wish to sit together instead of just informing her that they are coming. This is not a life-threatening situation, but a routine procedure. The author suggests that while some people may feel the risk of the surgery, others may feel it's safer for them to sit alongside her during it.