by Nellie Curtiss …
Was someone laughing? No, the phone, tablet and watch were all ringing. “Who synced them? I didn’t,” I thought.
My eyes opened and my brows stretched as high as they could. Throwing the blanket and quilt off, I glanced at my Mickey Mouse watch loosely hanging on my left wrist. “Oh, my Goodness! It’s a quarter till 1:00!” My calendar’s alert was in its high-pitched transport-now mode.
The sun was bright outside; so, the morning sunshine added to the state of alarm. “My radiology appointment is 1:00 p.m.,” I muttered to my service dog Schroeder as if he could understand.
“How did that happen? How will I do this? I need to get gas before I can drive to Alamosa.”
Confirming 15 minutes before 1:00 pm again, I realized I needed the toilet while dragging my oxygen tubing near the kitchen clock. As I finished, I remembered I needed a full bladder too for the 1:00 p. m. ultrasound. “Oh no. I’ll have to drink a pop on the way.”
But first, I had to call Radiology to see if they would still let me come. I thought to myself, “I’ve already rescheduled three times.” As I reached for my glasses above my bed, I sat down to call the X-ray department on my fully charged iPhone.
A female voice answered. “Yes,” I say. “I’m late for my 1:00 o’clock in radiology. Can you put me through?”
She says, “Yes, hold on.”
I heard silence then a male voice answered. “Radiology, this is . . .” The call dropped just as I began my plea.
“Oh, no,” I began my stress mantra wishing I could dial in a specific day and time with a Back-to-the-Future time machine.
I reselected and called again; and the switchboard connected. The same male answered. “Yes,” I said, “I just called but the call was dropped. I’m running late for my appointment. Can I still come? Do I have time?”
He asked, “Who is this for?”
“Nelda,” I said, adding that I was supposed to be there by 12:30 p.m. and I live a half hour away.
In a calm but exact voice, he said, “Yes ma’am, it’s a quarter to 9:00. I think you have enough time.”
Suddenly, I burst into laughter. I had roused out of deep sleep thinking I missed my ultrasound. It was only 8:45 a.m. and this gentleman was sure I’d make it in time.
He said, “Have a nice morning,” and ended the call while I continued to laugh.
Nelda Curtiss is a retired college educator and long-time local columnist. Reach her at http://www.columnsbynellie.com or email her at columnsbynellie@gmail.com
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