Tuesday

He slept in but there was no rush. The green digital clock was blurred to his eyes. He blinked away the sleep and looked again. "4:10". That'll do, he thought and walked out through the three doors to the kitchen. Coffee. 

There was a lot that needed doing this morning. Dishes, dinner, breakfast and washing if clothes were just some. As he walked into the laundry with clothing from the back of his wife's chair he saw the blood soaked flannel in the laundry tub. He would have to deal with that too!

The sun was just rising at 6.20 as he drove the short distance to the hospital. It was to be a sunny day. 

At the hospital he sat quietly beside her sleeping, head bent forward. He started to blog....

About noon the bed opposite became empty. The aging lady and friend were free after a two week stay. 

He reclined, feet up on the air bed. Last night when S had been moved from triage the nurse had arranged a special bed and mattress. It had an inflated mattress design to prevent bed sores; unlike the rubber type in the photo. But S had immediately complained of discomfort. It had partially deflated and S's bottom was in contact with the cold, hard steel frame. "I'll be alright " she had said stoically in the manner of the tougher fairer sex. But he was having nothing if it, he'd get to the bottom of it or find a replacement. Soon he realized that the bed had its own electric air pump. So what was wrong? He followed the electric cord to the wall socket. The plug had not been fully inserted. He did so. An electric motor started to run. The bed inflated. 

There was no shortage of food in the hospital. He decided if he ever became destitute and homeless he would spend his time visiting patients. "Would you like a cup of tea or a sandwich sir?". Not to mention the left overs from the patient.