MONDAY, I TOLD you about some of my injuries, especially the wounds I suffered in my numerous knife fights over the years. I also told you about San Geraldo’s problem with blood. That brought to mind an accident San Geraldo had a few years before we met. [NOTE: Don’t worry. If you have a problem with blood, this story shouldn’t disturb you.]
SG was in his late 20s and living alone in Seattle after finishing graduate school. He was in the kitchen chopping vegetables with a newly sharpened knife (something I try to avoid) when he sliced his finger. As he describes it, “It was a serious wound.” He immediately wrapped his finger tightly in a dish towel and called a friend. “You have to pick me up and drive me to the hospital,” he said. “I cut my finger and it’s serious. I need stitches.”
His friend rushed over and they drove quickly to the emergency room. It was, thankfully, quiet. SG walked up to the desk and told the nurse on duty, “I cut my finger with a very sharp knife and it’s really bad.” She said, “Well, let’s have a look.”
He slowly and carefully unwrapped the dish towel. He said, “It’s right here…”
SG stared at his finger. The nurse stared at his finger. He turned his hand in different directions to catch the light. He looked at his other fingers. The nurse waited. He went back to the original finger and said sheepishly, “Well, it was right here.”
The nurse smiled (Seattle, you know) and said “I think you’ll live. Would you like me to put a Band-Aid on it?” Of course he said “yes.”
The part I really can’t understand is that whenever he tells this story, SG holds up a finger (I’m convinced it’s not always the same one) and says, “I still have the scar.”
I spoke with The Kid Brother last night. He’s fine. I was surprised to learn he’s still working. He had just gotten home and he was tired. So it wasn’t the easiest of conversations. I asked how work [at Rite-Aid Pharmacy] was. He said, “Really busy.” I asked if they controlled the number of people that can be in the store at one time. He said. “It’s not too crowded.” I tried again. “Do people have to wait outside or stand far away from each other in line?” “It’s not that busy,” was his response. “Oh.”
Yesterday was a beautiful day here and my ankle has improved enough for me to [carefully] take out the recycling and to walk [carefully] to the pharmacy. As you can see in a few of the photos, many of the tamarind trees are still dead. Click the images.
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EL LUNES, TE dije sobre algunas de mis heridas, especialmente las heridas que sufrí en mis numerosas peleas con cuchillos a lo largo de los años. También te conté sobre el problema de sangre de San Geraldo. Eso me recordó un accidente que San Geraldo tuvo unos años antes de que nos conociéramos. [NOTA: No te preocupes. Si tienes un problema con la sangre, esta historia no debería molestarte]
SG tenía entre 25 y 30 años y vivía solo en Seattle después de terminar la escuela de posgrado. Estaba en la cocina cortando verduras con un cuchillo recién afilado (algo que trato de evitar) cuando se cortó el dedo. Como él lo describe, “fue una herida grave”. Inmediatamente envolvió su dedo con fuerza en un paño de cocina y llamó a un amigo. “Tienes que recogerme y llevarme al hospital”, dijo. “Me corté el dedo y es grave. Necesito puntos de sutura.”
Su amigo se apresuró y condujeron rápidamente a la sala de emergencias. Era, afortunadamente, tranquilo. SG se acercó al escritorio y le dijo a la enfermera de turno: “Me corté el dedo con un cuchillo muy afilado y es realmente malo”. Ella dijo: “Bueno, echemos un vistazo”.
Lenta y cuidadosamente desenvolvió el paño de cocina. Él dijo: “Está justo aquí …”
SG se miró el dedo. La enfermera se miró el dedo. Giró su mano en diferentes direcciones para captar la luz. Miró sus otros dedos. La enfermera esperó. Volvió al dedo original y dijo tímidamente: “Bueno, estaba justo aquí”.
La enfermera sonrió (Seattle, ya sabes) y dijo: “Creo que vivirás. ¿Le gustaría que le pusiera una tirita?” Por supuesto que dijo “sí”.
La parte que realmente no puedo entender es que cada vez que él cuenta esta historia, SG levanta un dedo (seguro que no siempre el mismo) y dice: “Todavía tengo la cicatriz”.
Anoche hablé con El Hermanito. Él está bien. Me sorprendió saber que todavía está trabajando. Acababa de llegar a casa y estaba cansado. Así que no fue la conversación más fácil. Le pregunté cómo era el trabajo [en Rite-Aid Farmacia]. Él dijo: “Muy ocupado”. Pregunté si controlaban la cantidad de personas que pueden estar en la tienda al mismo tiempo. Él dijo. “No está demasiado lleno”. Lo intenté de nuevo. “¿La gente tiene que esperar afuera o pararse lejos unos de otros en la fila?” “No está tan ocupado”, fue su respuesta. “Oh.”
Ayer fue un día hermoso aquí y mi tobillo ha mejorado lo suficiente como para que [cuidadosamente] saque el reciclaje y camine [cuidadosamente] a la farmacia. Como puede ver en algunas de las fotos, muchos de los árboles de tamarindo todavía están muertos. Haz clic en las imágenes.
At sunset. / Al atardecer.
It is the emotional scars that run deepest.
David:
Your comment made me laugh. So true!
glad your ankle is better; what a pretty day. but it’s sad to see no one on the beach/on the street.
anne marie:
Well, the ankle is not as “better” as I was treating it. Staying off it now as much as I can. Yesterday was rainy. Today is beautiful again. It’s very strange to see the empty beaches and paseo. But it gets truly Twilight Zone when I walk a bit through town.
You can substitute Carlos for SG and it’s be the same story.
Bob:
Why am I not surprised?!? We should check their DNA.
Oh I remember those days coming home from work and being exhausted…….not wanting to talk to anyone for at least an hour. Your KId Brother has my sympathy.
SG’s scar has a great story behind it! lol
Empty streets are now our new reality for a while…..wondering when they will be filled with people once again.
Take care you guys.
Jim:
The scar does have a great story… although I’ve never actually been able to SEE the scar. It will be interesting to see how our rules change mid-April. I’m surprised at how well we are actually doing. But we have the view; our health at this point (touch wood); and no worries about work, finances, or ailing family members. Such hard times for so many. You both take care, too. And tell your niece I think she’s wonderful!
Oh, San Geraldo! Oh, Kid Brother! Oh, you! I hope you all stay safe.
Debra:
And you as well. And thanks for making me laugh and smile!
I’m glad you spoke to Chuck and that he’s doing okay. I’ll bet he IS tired. I’m sure the drugstore is taking every possible precaution for the safety of their employees, and I imagine Chuck is very good at following the protocols. I know you still worry about him, though.
I think that any person working the front lines in this crisis, be it medical people or grocery/drug store clerks like the Kid Brother, should go to the very front of the line for care if they get sick. Folks like Chuck are my heroes these days!
Jennifer:
That brought tears to my eyes. And I’m going to tell Chuck what you said. He’ll be SO proud!
Good news all around, then! Thanks for these treats 🙂
Judy:
Things continue to go smoothly. Hope life in MO is pleasant and that you can finally enjoy a bit of spring around your house!
I’m glad you got a hold of your brother. Here’s hoping they are making people be the appropriate distance away from each other. Good news on your ankle, getting out even to go to the pharmacy is good for your brain space
Cheapchick:
I jumped the gun on the ankle. Don’t think I’l be doing much walking for a while. But, yes, that walk was so good for my head… and to be able to do it on such a beautiful day.
First of all, bringing in my wet blanketness, “improved” does not mean “well”! Be careful, Scoot! SG’s size and sweetness makes this story even more adorable. I can just picture the ‘examination’. This gave me a good chuckle. Speaking of which, so glad Chuck is okay. I’ve grown to love him too.
That is the prettiest ghost town I have ever seen 🙂
Deedles:
You’re absolutely right. My ankle, although improving every day, is definitely not better. The walk was premature and I’m back to mostly elevating. Chucky is easy to love when you get to know him a little. A royal pain in the ass sometimes, but very easy to love. SG, as you can tell, is also very easy to love. I’m sure the nurse was head over heels for him.
You’re easy to love too, Scoot.
Deedles:
So are you, Deedles. I hope you know that!
Is that high-rise half way down the one you live in? I so needed those pictures today, and that story about SG cracked me up!!!!
If it makes you feel better, my neighbor went to a Rite-Aid up the road from here. He said their aisles were one direction shopping only, and have the x’s on the floor for the 6ft rule at the register. The clerk said they monitor the door, if too many people start coming in, they limit how shoppers may get in. I’m would assume this would be a company directive, so hopefully his location is doing the same.
Mistress Maddie:
In the photo third from last, with the three buildings in a row on the left (yellow, white, and brown): We’re the white building. Our terrace is along the entire side and around the front with glass just about the tree line in front of the building. Thanks enormously for that info on Rite-Aid. I’m sure you’re right about it being a corporate directive. That IS reassuring.
That photo shows exactly why the tamarinds are (still) dead – the little cutout they are planted in is way too small to support the life of a tree like that. Maybe a palm could grow there, but maybe not even that. So glad SG got the timely medical attention he needed for that cut.
Wilma:
How would you like to take over as head gardener in Fuengirola?!? Obviously, we need the help. There used to be a lot of ficus in those spaces. They did too well, as you can imagine, and their roots destroyed the pavement. San Geraldo has gotten a lot better over the years (maybe because now he looks at me and asks “Do I need stitches” and I say “No”). But the best part is that he’s got a great sense of humor about these things. So grateful he’s comfortable with me telling his stories.
I’m glad you were able to get out of the house. That had to feel good, even if you were looking at dead trees.
Love the story about SG’s finger! The phrase “Drama Queen” springs to mind. Hopefully he won’t be offended. 🙂
Funny SG story.
The Kid Brother is not the only one still working. I’ve been going to my job every day as I work in an “essential” industry (a catalog company with a large senior citizen clientele.)
Kirk:
Thanks for doing what you do! Stay well while you do it. I’m more surprised that The Kid Brother, given his limitations, is still being told to come in. But I’m pleased to know they appreciate his contribution, he’s needed, and he knows it.
Steve:
SG will definitely not be offended. He’s said it himself. He was once told he had a catastrophic imagination. Perfect. Thankfully, as you can see, I had more than just those ridiculously unhappy trees to look at. But the walk, although amazing, was too soon. Back to keeping the foot elevated as much as I can, and doing exercises in bed (which sounds much more exciting than it is).
“A catastrophic imagination” — I love that! I think I have the same tendencies! LOL
Steve:
I think catastrophic imagination is so much more descriptive than simply drama queens. There are so many drama queens but few are as creative as you guys.
Call me crazy, but I quite enjoy the vacant streets ~ the lines, architecture and colours ~ vantage points seem so more precise it seems ~ as I said call me crazy!
Ron:
it’s a mixed reaction for me. When I open the terrace or go out, all I hear is the roar of the surf. That’s wondrous. But when I walk into town, there’s something very unsettling about the streets devoid of life and activity. Of course, I’ll again complain about all the damned people in a couple of months!
Happy to hear that you reached your brother and all is well. Love those deserted streets, peace and quiet, same hear and I just love it, though it is strange. Maybe 6 months from now I will want more people on the streets. Your photos are so beautiful.
larrymuffin:
Along the beach here, it’s nice to experience the quiet. But, when I walk into town, it’s very unsettling. And thanks regarding the photos. Not as much to catch since, if I go out at all, i can’t go very far.