Not in this weather

Attention! A clanging noise in the afternoon rain. I glanced up from the street. Three flags angrily shook their ropes against the poles in front of a blank-faced factory.

Everything was flustered. Spray kept driving into my face, sneaking down the back of my neck. My umbrella quarrelled relentlessly with the wind. Two transports groaned past, wheels hissing on the wet highway, stirring more damp into the chilly air..

I had chosen to walk to Jon's place instead of taking the bus. That way I could drop over to KFC and grab some chicken, adding five minutes to the 25 minute walk.

I was hungry for dinner, but decided the detour wasn't worthwhile. Not in this weather. Instead I dashed into a variety store and bought a bag of honey-covered soy nuts.

After two handfuls I felt bloated and unsatisfied..

Jon and I ended up going to the e-bar for a game of pool. I had a basket of fries and chicken fingers. Later at Colleen and Cathy's, watching Queer As Folk with the usual Monday night crowd, I gorged on Bugles and popcorn.

The anticlimax

The homecare nurse paid her final visit today. Mostly the two incisions on my belly have turned into pink scars. The last small opening has finally closed, so it doesn't need to be packed with gauze, and it has started to form a scab. I asked Cathy to show me how I should bandage it from now on.

"Do you have a Bandaid?" she replied.

That took me by surprise. Obviously that's all I need. But looking at my belly I still see all the trouble I have come through the past six months.

This was the anticlimax and the end of being a patient.