On the Way Home From the Hospital (April 2024)

 

Dad, did you see Mrs. Onderdonk today?

 

Yes, she said to say ‘Hello.’ Asked if you're looking forward to 5th grade.

 

Did you tell her how many books I've read this summer?

 

Yes, I did. She was very pleased.

 

I finished another one today. It was real hot in the car, so I went to the park down the street and sat on a bench under a big old oak tree and read.

 

Do you wanna stop at Colonel Dixie's on the way home?

 

Yeah! Can I get a filet-o-fish sandwich and an orange soda?

 

Yep! That's what I'm gonna have, too.

 

We’ll have two filet-o-fish sandwiches and two orange soft drinks. And extra tartar sauce and napkins, please.

 

On the way home, can we listen to the Gator Bowl on the radio?

 

Yeah, we should be able to pick it up.

 

Do you think Auburn's gonna win?

 

Don't know. Texas is pretty good this year.

 

Dad?

 

What son?

 

Are you scared driving Highway 45 at night?

 

Not particularly. Why?

 

Cause in school they talk about all the bad car accidents, people getting killed. It's so dark out here after we leave the city.

 

Yes, it's very dark. But look out your window. See all those stars. Can't see that many when you're in the city.

 

Yeah, must be millions and millions. I tried to count once, but I got dizzy after about 100.

 

That's pretty good. It's hard to keep them apart, they're so close together.

 

I like the ones that shoot across the sky. Mom says to make a wish when you see one.

 

Some nights you can make lots of wishes. Got your list ready?

 

What list?

 

Your list of wishes.

 

I've got a couple.

 

What are they?

 

Can't say. It'll jinx me.

 

OK, I'll keep mine secret, too.

You've got wishes?

 

Course I do! Everybody's got wishes.

 

Do the people you visit in the hospitals have wishes . . . I mean they can't see shooting stars can they?

 

No, that's why we pray instead.

 

Does that make them feel better?

 

I think just having people come see them makes them feel better. Do you remember when you had your tonsils out?

 

Yeah. All the ice cream I wanted, and I didn't have to share.

 

But you also had your friends come see you. Didn't you appreciate that?

 

Yeah, it was alright. But there's not much to talk about in the hospital. It's boring. When can I start going in the hospital with you? I'd like to have seen Mrs. Onderdonk. She was my favorite teacher.

 

We'll see, but you can come with me when I visit the shut-ins in town.

 

It's always so dark in their homes, and it smells funny. Is the hospital like that, too?

 

No, the lights are bright, and there are always people around.

 

But they get lonely, too? I mean people like Mrs. Onderdonk. Doctors and nurses, they're always talking about hospital stuff. I'd hate to have to talk about that kind of stuff all the time.

That's why it’s important for people to come visit them.

 

But I thought you wanted to save them?

 

Well, there are different kinds of saving, son?

 

Think the game's on yet?

 

Maybe. Let's try.

 

Time out on the field. The score: Auburn 14, Texas 3.

 

Wow, they're killing Texas.

 

But you're wearing your Texas jersey. Is that the one Donna gave you at Christmas?

 

Yeah, I like it, but I'm still gonna pull for Auburn even though she lives in Texas now.

 

We had a good Christmas in San Antonio, didn't we? All the different restaurants she took us to . . . Mexican, Polish, Japanese—

 

I liked the Mexican best. The sopapillas were delicious. I think I ate about four of them. We raised the little flag at the table two or three times.

 

And don't forget Mexico.

 

Yeah, that was great. We must've bought 100 pounds of sugar. The trunk was full of sugar. And Mom wouldn't let us buy one of those velvet paintings. I thought they were nice, except for the bull fights. So colourful.

 

I had to agree with your mother.

 

You know, that’s the only time I've ever been outside America.

 

That’s not quite right. You were born in Japan. You were still very small when we had to leave. You just don’t remember.

 

I wish I could have known about living there. Thomas and the girls can talk about it, but I can’t.

 

Listen.

 

Texas with the ball. The hand-off goes to Campbell and he's tackled after a short gain of 3 yards.