Americans vs. Aneurysms - 3

By Eli Richardson

16
Post-Op Purgatory

"She's alive!" he cries coming into the room with The Boy on his shoulders.

"Hi Mom."

Her eyes flutter open. "That's what you said when he was born."

"I'll say it again every time you escape death."

"Scape deaf."

"It hurts so bad. Maybe this is worse."

A nurse comes in and clucks. "Hush now."

"Never say that Honey. I thought I'd lost you and never want to feel that way again."

"Sorry my almost dying hurt your feelings."

"You kidding? I'm having the time of my life. The anguish is nothing compared to the relief I feel now."

"Share."

17
Bus Bust

It's standing-room-only sloshing through a rainstorm. In the last seat left sits Rosa Parks saying, "Memories of our lives will continue in others." The windows trickle water like the world is crying over our supposed nobility.

Off the 101 and downhill to catch the 3. Turnaround pursuit uphill sprint transfer under the freeway scramble traffic by the hospitals missing the bus at the crest and down all the way it came raining. She of course wants to know what took so long.

"I just climbed you a mountain. In a downpour."

Of course he has to say he is sorry.

18
Feeling Bad

"I know it hurts."

"Tell me how it hurts. It's not about you."

He sits Indian style on a cot and watches rare snow accumulate outside. He drums his crossed arms. For days.

"You don't care. You never do anything for me."

"I do everything I can. I'm not perfect. I got you ice cream and painted your toenails. You're in new pajamas and have sparkly earrings."

"Dance for me. Faster."

In the center of ICU he throws it down.

"You're competing with the t.v. I'm missing the best part. Go to sleep."

Finally the nurse arrives with the pain meds.

19
Smarteries

Two cowboys couldn't hold her down. Straining out the pain on the sofa with the ice pack and t.v. on. The Boy strokes her hair and offers candy. He thinks of a Hemingway story where the Indian cut his throat over his squaw's screams. That's backwards.

"Where is it?"

"All over."

"Breathe baby, don't bear down on it. You'll anger the aneurysm."

"Laughing hurts."

"You want I should make you cry?"

"You hungry Mom? Try these thingymajingies."

"Give her room son; I think she's going to blow."

"Pull out my feeding tube."

"You heard the lady. Go to it Boy."

20
One-Way Ticket

A strange part of the city is new forever, or do you just bring your work from before the fire? Scorched core lit up with a wire running to the last building standing.

It's less dangerous with the lights out. She plays video games. For weeks. He folds clothes. "Quit looking at me like that. It's my life. I'll throw it away if I want to," sideways, "I'm doing pretty good, considering."

He can't just not get off the bus; not ride it till it's as far away as it gets then start walking. Not just leave them. Start new.

21
Firing Line

The job is to keep the job. Mum's the word. Quietly catching the bus before dawn.How you sound on the phone telling your boss you'll be late; the man running across the street mouthing words. His hand in the air and eyes wide-open. The lady at the bus stop downtown, always talking. The men idle around the parking lot by the shelter. They hold cigarettes in a straight line by their hips.

Who's not surprised to look down and see we're smoking, holding a soda, arriving home? Where have we been? Second-hand vacations; a street corner and a strange tongue.

22
The Early Worm

It has got to be worse than being unemployed. Making too much to get welfare, but not enough to keep your wife alive.

Alarmed, engage snooze twice before rising. Hit snooze for third time before responding. Remove covers in one vigorous corner folding motion. From foot of bed, tiptoe to reset clock. Remove underwear. Scratch thighs and buttocks moving to kitchen. From refrigerator remove 16 ounce glass tumbler of coffee liberally doctored with non-dairy creamer. Guzzle sixty-six percent of coffee. Place tumbler on kitchen counter.

Gently. You do not want to wake the aneurysm.

We close our eyes when kissing.

23
Mouth to Mouth

Her body vibrated and eyes clouded. He pressed all his weight into screaming air through rigid teeth. She'd gone blue. A breath shimmered.

Shave face. Sink. Drag blade. Go shower. Twist hot. Enter quickly. Rinse hair, body. Apply soap to hands. Avoid tiny soap. No soap smaller than thumb. Apply lather to pits. Left to right. Rub belly, insert left index finger in belly button. Say, "Boy and Girl." Lather crotch. Soap legs and feet. Rinse thoroughly. Soap face, ears, neck and chest. Rinse. Blow nose in hands and rinse. Rinse. Squeeze water from hair. Turn tap. Open curtain.

Foggy.

24
Comfort and Joy

The pharmacy lady lets him pick a cookie. She has water in her eyes. He likes green more than red. Red hurts.

"What do you say?"

"Thank you."

"You're quite welcome. So special. Have her let me know if the anti-seizure medications make her crazy."

"I'll let her know."

"Mom had a seijure but she'll get better."

Dad takes pharmacist’s bag and weighs it.

"Merry Christmas. Look for Santa Claus."

Dad takes Boy by the hand down halls of diapers. Scissors. Soap. Dad gets on knees. He has water in his eyes. He hugs Boy.

"Come on Dad. Crying won't help. Share my cookie?"

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