The Pale Priest of the Mute People

     Seldom does the phone ring at that hour with good news.  Such was the case.  My Brother in law came and said the center just called and my sister had died.

     I was fully awake.  Got dressed and we left the house shortly afterwards.  Silence.  To be expected.  I made some light humor about how great the traffic was at that hour.

     We got there, didn't have to sign in.  They'd cleaned her and did her hair.  Was a shock to say the least.  Sunk in rather quickly.

     Apparently about 11:30 she had called the nurse for something.  They came in and she was sitting up.  The nurse left to get an aide and when they returned she was slumped over. Of course they did what they could.  Had E.M.T's come.  She was gone.  The hallways were deserted of inmates at that time.

     They would store her downstairs but we needed to make arrangements.  They didn't really have a morgue.  Brother in law took her wallet, phone, and IPad.  We went home.  I made no jokes about the traffic.

     There was little to do at that hour.  Said we could make calls at 5 to immediate family.  There was nothing anyone could do.  I left 2 messages with Dr.s that I'd made an appointment with that morning and afternoon.

     To their credit his brother and sister drove 2 hours and were there by 7 or 8.  That is about all the credit I will give them.

     We went to get the rest of her things.  His brother didn't like where I told him to park so he spent the rest of his time looking for parking.  It is tight in the mornings.  But seeing how they treated my sister I doubt there was much of an effort.

     His sister came in with us to clean out her belongings.  As I got there, her friends were there with sadness, confusion, and tears.

     Generally how it works is when something occurs no explanation is offered. They come and close your doors and tell you not to leave your room.

     Condolences were made.  I gave the explanation.  At one point one of the Dr.s came in.  He even told us that the insurance company had said on Monday that she was done.  He argued about her health. He won?

    

Tuesday

     Came home from work.  Made my usual call.  She didn't need any extras, but she needed a favor.  Could I do some laundry for her?  I said of course.

     Got there as she picked at dinner.  She showed me where the clothes were and the detergent.  I asked if she wanted to smoke first and she declined.  Again not unusual when she was not feeling well.

     I put here laundry in and returned.  Told her how much time we had.  She told me I'd have to stay there when it dried.  That's how stuff disappeared.  Hell stuff always disappeared there.

     Not much talking she was tired and lay down.  I reminded her to put on her cpap machine if was going to sleep.  I went to dry the clothes and wait.

     A dinky little laundry room.  A door on either side.  There was an inmate I'd seen around in the hallway.  Waiting for his sandwiches.  You could opt for them instead of the meal if it wasn't to your liking.  He always went for the sandwiches.

     I would find out at some point after my sisters death that the place had stopped that as well.  It was important.  Many a night my sister got that instead of the inedible crud fed there.  

     We talked off and on.  I tried not to engage to much.  One time I was very uncomfortable with one guy I spoke to near the nurses desk.

     Big guy, both in height and weight.  He would wander around and pick off the food trays.  Usually from the ones that were removed from the rooms.  It was gross.

     Clothes dried I returned.  She was up but out of it.  Got her the ice we always got.  Asked if she wanted to go out for a ride.  I always did.  She declined and said she was tired.

      I got the ice.  Put her clothes away and told her to put her mask on.  She bid me a good night and that was that.  I don't remember if there was a good night call that night.

     About 2 in the morn or somewhere near then the phone rang in my house.

Sunday and Monday.

     All I can clearly remember is that I had come home early from the lounge.  Bro in law slightly incensed.  

"She wants Chinese food.  I don't have the money for it.  Do you?"

     I smiled thinking coldly that he'd bankrupted me.  But I'd a plan in mind.  Told him not to worry about it.

     I had bought a meatloaf mix that morning.  It was a good meal and meant leftovers.  I called my sister and asked if I what she wanted when I came up.

"Chinese food?"  she asked warily

"Oh.  I thought I'd bring up some meatloaf with mashed potatoes."  I said cavalierly.  There was silence.  She loved both my meatloaf and always loved mashed potatoes.

"I can hear the smile.  Guess I'll get cooking.  It's why I came home early and called."

     She thanked me profusely.  Said she felt like she had a small bug again.  Probably better off not having Chinese food.I made the dinner and packed it and went up for a visit.  She loved the stuff and asked if I'd leave the container of potatoes.  She'd get someone to heat them for her later.  A lie.  I knew my sister.  She'd eat them cold.  She loved mashed potatoes.

     Crisis avoided.  I came home and ate my dinner.  Went to bed.  

Monday.

     No call from her.  The usual when she wasn't feeling well.  I cooked dinner.  Brother in law came back a little early.  Said she wasn't feeling to well and told him to leave.

     Called for the usual good night call.  I can't remember if she answered or not.