Posted on 03/05/2012 6:04:06 PM PST by Steve Newton
Well I hope I haven't posted this before. Anyway, a nite nite story for everyone. God bless us all.
The elderly woman had volunteered at the V.A. hospital for 20 years. She was a very young 80 and she had seen a lot. She and her husband both had been career military until she lost him in Korea—her son in Vietnam. It was a long time ago.
It made her feel like she still had a purpose in life to volunteer—and she could be around her own. In fact this was the only place she felt at home.
As she was walking down the hall, pushing a wheelchair, she heard a commotion so she turned and entered a patient’s room. She smiled at the cause.
“What in the HELL am I doing in the hospital again? Who authorized this? Get me out of here NOW or someone will go out that window!”
People were running in all directions and the doctor was backed into a corner with the huge man’s hand around his neck. Two large security officers would not go near the man.
She glanced at the man’s chart and smiled to herself as she walked over and stood directly in front of the angry man.
“Sergeant! Release the doctor now please and I will explain. And you may call me Major.”
“Thank you. Now if you please let’s take a walk. I need a smoke.”
“Uh. Well yes Ma’am I think I could use a stogie myself.”
“Well, close the back of that gown before I get excited.”
She grinned inside as she saw him blush.
As they walked in the sun she noticed the sergeant wince.
“Indeed sergeant. It hurts a mite to get your appendix taken out. Though not near as bad as it used to.”
“Appendix? Oh yes. I remember now. The airport: I was coming home on leave and got pretty sick. And major you may call me Pappy.”
“I imagine Pappy. And thank you. Yes the V.A. Hospital happened to be the closest and good thing for you. If you pulled that stuff in a civilian hospital you would be in jail.”
He flashed a grin, “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
She laughed. “Of that I have no doubt Pappy.
“You so remind me of my husband. Big, head strong, ugly: But so incredibly attractive.”
“Ugly Major? Why does that sound like a compliment coming from you?”
“I don’t know Pappy. You both had an---inner beauty: A certain sense of duty and loyalty that I always found attractive.”
“Careful Major. Been a long time since I been alone with such an attractive woman.”
She laughed out loud. “Yes—and it’s been a long time since I was with such a skillful liar.”
“I want to apologize for what happen in your room. Some of our care givers are not military and not schooled in how to handle those coming home from war. You’re all such babies and need to be treated as such.”
“Major!”
She laughed again.
“I try to teach them—but I’m not the woman I used to be. But I know that they care. They are all good people. And to be honest Pappy, I’m dying. Yes, cancer. I have about three months. But no long faces now! I’ve lived a long life: yes full of ups and downs. But I’m tired now. Do you understand?”
The old sergeant took her hand. “Yes I do. And the world will be worse off when you’re gone.”
A tear fell from her eye and the old sergeant wiped it away.
“Well sergeant. To be honest, and they won’t tell you this, but if your careful you can go. Hail a cab and I will bring your clothes down and you can make your escape.”
Four months and five days later the old sergeant attended a funeral at Arlington. The world indeed was a little sadder.
Copyright 2010 Steve Newton stevenewton69@hotmail.com
Ehmr... while I applaud the sentiment expressed in the posting, mate; no offence, but the storytelling skills need a bit of refinement.
Smile
No offense taken!
I am always open for suggestions my FRiend
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