Page 10 of Words Unspoken

The ride to the hospital was all too short. The driver held the door and Michael helped Ann out of the car. Once he had his overnight bag, Michael led Ann through the maze of corridors to the surgical admitting area. She continued to hold his hand and was mercifully quiet.

“Name?” The clerk behind the glass looked up at him.

“Michael David Ramesly.”

The clerk looked at her list. “The doctor is office sent over your paperwork already. Can you please tell me why you are here?”

“For surgery,” he said dryly.

“What kind of surgery are you having today?” She sighed. “It is standard that we ask.”

“Dr. Hemmond is removing two masses from my brain,” Michael replied. He could fee Ann stiffen beside him.

“And who is this?” The clerk looked at Ann.

“This is Ann.”

“Will she be with you in the ward before and after surgery?”

“Yes,” Ann said firmly. Her other hand crept around and held onto his arm tightly. “Yes, I will.”

“Thank you. Please wait in the waiting room across the hall. A nurse will be with you shortly.”

They turned and went to the waiting room. It was full of uncomfortable chairs. Michael picked one at random and sat down, Ann sitting beside him. She kept their hands clasped and her other hand on his arm, leaning against him. He welcomed her warmth. The television was on some show meant for toddlers and the magazines in the corner were predominantly about home décor. Michael didn’t care. Ann was there and that was all that mattered.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” she whispered.

“Remember the day you resigned, I had an appointment with Dr. Reynolds?” Michael stared down at their joined hands.

She nodded.

“That was when I found out.”

“And they need to do surgery so quickly?” she asked, alarmed.

“Yes.” He turned to her and covered her other hand with his free one. “Ann, I want to apologize for anything I might have done to disappoint you. I want you to understand that all I want is for you to be happy. You are a smart, beautiful woman and you deserve everything your heart desires.”

“Michael,” suddenly she was very afraid. “How risky is this surgery?”

“Michael Ramesly?” a nurse asked in the doorway.

He stood and picked up the overnight bag. Ann quickly stood beside him.

“Mr. Ramesly, if you will just follow me.”

He did with Ann beside him. The nurse brought him to a room full of gurney type beds. She pulled on a sheet that hung from the ceiling to create privacy a feeling of privacy. She showed him the washroom, the cupboard to put his things, the hospital gown on the bed. He was to get changed and sit on the bed. A nurse would be along shortly to put an IV into his arm in preparation for the surgery. He was to be the first patient of the day. The nurse closed the curtain as she left. There was a chair by the bed for Ann to sit.

Michael picked up the hospital gown. “I suppose I had better get changed.”

Ann nodded and let go of his arm. It took only a few moments in the washroom to strip and then put on the gown. He felt ridiculous wearing only it. He put his clothes, watch and wallet carefully in the overnight bag then put it and his shoes in the closet the nurse had shown him. He sat on the bed, waiting. Ann was perched in the chair, nervously playing with her purse strap.

A cheery nurse, little more than a teenager came and inserted the IV. She was very good. He hardly felt it. Or perhaps because he was used to so much pain already, a simple needle did not register with him anymore. She returned with an electric shaver. She explained that it would be easiest if Michael is entire head was shaved. Would he prefer to do it? If not, she could.

“I will,” Ann volunteered. Michael wondered if it made her feel better, to have something to do. They ended up in the washroom, he in the chair and her with the shaver, a couple of towels around his shoulders. She hesitated.

“I can do this if you don’t want to,” he looked up at her.

“I just feel like if I don’t shave your head then none of this needs to happen,” she gently pushed her fingers through his hair.