DOT 44 : PROVOKE

Daniel (7+ years old) 

Tuesday November 12, 2002

“We have called the doctor…”

The ICU assistant assigned to You tried to calm Mom down. She said the doctor has given all the necessary instructions, and she assured Mom she knew “exactly what to do.” 

The nurse explained You could be feeling the pain because she had JUST set up the drip and so the painkiller may take a few minutes to take effect. 

Mom stood perfectly still after that brief speech.

JUST -- set -- the -- drip? 

Mom replayed that line slowly in her head. 

Excuse me, but did she say she has 

JUST -- set -- the -- drip? 

The tone in her mind had turned somewhat sarcastic. 

THAT was supposed to assure Mom that the nurse knew exactly what she was doing??? A slow pulse of anger began to beat in her veins. Why, surely that was hovering on incompetence, Mom thought nastily.

Your mother was about to lash out and tell the nurse exactly what she thought of her, when Dad conveniently stepped in, and put a hold on Mom's arm. 

His sudden contact reeled Mom back to her senses, and prevented her from “attacking the nurse and tearing her hair out.” Dad’s exact words.

Dad released his grip as she wrenched her head up and challenged him. He lowered his voice and gave a word of caution, “You don’t want to provoke them, they are taking care of your son.” 

 

 You were in your heelies at Santa Monica Beach.

Not for long, as You stripped to your swimming trunks and jumped into the water.