Suture Self Read Online Free

Suture Self
Book: Suture Self Read Online Free
Author: Mary Daheim
Pages:
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mechanical voice. One metal arm reached out as if to snatch Renie’s big black handbag.
    â€œWatch it, Robbie, or I’ll FedEx you to the scrap heap,” Renie threatened.
    â€œMy name is Robbie,” the robot repeated. The steel creature kept moving, giving and asking no quarter.
    â€œI hope he’s not one of the surgeons,” Judith said.
    â€œWe should ask if he’s covered for malpractice,” Joe said as they approached the admitting desk.
    A nurse in traditional uniform and white cap sat next to a nun in a modified habit that consisted of a navy blue suit, white blouse, and navy and white veil and coif. The Sisters of Good Cheer were relatively conservative in their attitude toward apparel. As long as they wore habits, the nurses who worked for them would wear uniforms. “May we help you?” the nurse inquired with a strained smile.
    â€œLet’s hope so,” Joe replied. “We’re checking our wives in.” He gestured at Judith and Renie.
    â€œJones,” said Bill. “Serena. Rotator cuff surgery.” He pointed to the carefully lettered yellow Post-it note on Renie’s sweater. Overcautious as ever, Bill had written, “Serena Jones, right shoulder, allergic to nuts, peanuts, and morphine, inclined to complain.”
    â€œFlynn,” said Joe. “Judith. Right-hip replacement.” He cast a worried look at Judith’s side. Maybe, she thought, he was wishing he’d stuck a note on her, too.
    Renie nudged Judith. “I guess we checked our voices at the door.”
    The nun looked at a computer screen. “They’re right,” she said to the nurse. “Jones and Flynn, Drs. Ming and Alfonso.”
    â€œWhew,” Renie said facetiously. “I’m sure glad we’re the right people.”
    Bill poked her in the ribs. “Don’t say anything. Let them do their jobs.”
    Renie scowled at Bill. “I was only trying to lighten the—”
    Bill poked her again, and Renie shut up.
    The nurse handed several forms to Joe and Bill. “Have your wives fill these out over in the reception area. We’ll call their names when the doctors are ready.”
    â€œWhat are these?” Renie asked, despite the glower from Bill.
    â€œMedical information,” the nurse responded. “Consent forms. Releases.”
    â€œRelease from what?” Renie inquired, resisting Bill’s efforts to propel her away from the desk.
    â€œConsent to the procedure,” the nurse said, looking impatient. “Releasing the hospital from responsibility in case you expire.”
    â€œExpire?” Renie blanched. “As in…croak?”
    â€œLet’s go,” Bill muttered, his jaw set.
    Joe had already wheeled Judith into the waiting area. “Did Renie say ‘croak’?” she asked her husband.
    â€œIt sounded like ‘croak,’” Joe answered in his breeziest manner. “Of course, it might have been ‘joke’ or ‘Coke’ or ‘cloak.’”
    Judith looked down at the forms that Joe had put in her lap. “She said ‘croak.’ If I croak, it’s not their fault.I wonder how Joaquin Somosa and Joan Fremont feel about that? I mean, I wonder how their families feel?”
    â€œGlum,” Joe replied. “Just fill the damned things out and let’s get on with it.”
    â€œAren’t you and Bill being a bit callous?” Judith demanded.
    â€œNo,” Joe asserted. “Those were flukes. Didn’t the newspaper hint that Joan Fremont had been doing some drugs? She was an actress, Somosa was an athlete. I once worked in Vice. I know how that goes. It’s all show biz, and a lot of those people get involved in drugs, both legal and otherwise.”
    Judith wasn’t reassured, but she stopped arguing. Renie had also gone silent, laboriously trying to sign the forms with her crippled right arm. The cousins had just finished
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