“Well, Ethan, you’re a bit of a medical
mystery. We’re really confused as to what is happening with you. For some reason
we can’t explain, there’s no sign of any disease whatsoever. There are no HIV
antibodies in your bloodstream. For all intents and purposes, you’re
completely, one-hundred percent healthy.”
Ethan looked at the doctor in
shock. With an incredulous expression on his face, he said to the doctor, “Can
you repeat that?”
“To put it simply, there’s
not a thing wrong with you.”
Ethan was basically in shock
as he tried to understand the significance of his words. “Can you repeat that?”
“You’re HIV negative.”
“Are you saying I don’t have
HIV anymore? How is that possible?”
“That’s exactly what I’m
saying. We have no idea how this has happened. Your microcellular scan revealed
a couple of previously unknown protein markers. We have no idea what their made
up of nor where they came from. How do you feel about going home?”
A hopeful look crossed Ethan’s
face. “For real? Seriously?”
“Yes. I see no reason why you
need to stay. If we need more blood samples, we’ll contact you. I’ve already
written out the discharge orders and the nurse will be her shortly to give you
your copy of the orders and make sure you understand the instructions.”
“Give me just five minutes,
please.”
“Of course.” The doctor held
out his hand, which Ethan shook. “If you need anything, anything at all, please
don’t hesitate to call the Life Sciences Center and ask for me. Good luck,
Ethan.”
“Thank you for everything,
Doctor.”
“You’re welcome.” With that,
the doctor left just as the nurse came in with Ethan’s discharge orders.
₪₪₪₪₪
The doctor found Chris
sitting in the waiting room. “Chris is it?”
Chris stood up
and extended his hand to the doctor, who stood and shook his hand. “I don’t
know how to thank you for saving my brother.”
“I really didn’t
have that much to do with it, but you’re welcome. Now, go and get him out of
here. I’m sure he’s more than ready to go home.”
A very excited
Chris thanked the doctor once again and practically ran to the ward where Ethan
was waiting for him. Pulling him into a fierce embrace, he said with tears in
his eyes, “I can’t believe what’s happened. I can’t believe you’re perfectly
healthy!”
“You can’t believe it. Look at it from my
perspective. The death sentence I had hanging over my head is no longer there.
No more medications. No more sickness. I can live a normal life,” Ethan cried
in Chris’s ear.
Letting him go,
Chris said, “So let’s get the hell out of here. What’s the first thing you want
to do when you get home?”
“I want to take
a walk along the river then when I find just the right spot I want to jump in
and take a nice long swim.”
“Are you feeling
up to it?”
“More than up to
it. I can’t wait. Then I want to go out and get laid. You know the saying ‘Save
a horse, ride a cowboy’.”
Chris laughed.
“You’re incorrigible.”
₪₪₪₪₪
Ethan walked
into the kitchen and spotted Chris sitting at the table. He cocked his finger
at him and said in a mock authoritative voice, “Yo, Evans. Step away from the
ice cream. Hello? The lights are on, is anybody home?”
Wordlessly Chris
slid the paper over to Ethan and pointed to an obituary that had shocked him
into silence.
July 17th. Ethan Evans, a popular
resident of Portsmouth died yesterday at County Memorial due to complications
stemming from an unanticipated medication interaction. Evans, twenty-six, was
well known as an antique furniture restorer. He is survived by his two brothers,
Troy and Christopher and a sister, Alicia. Funeral arrangements are being made
by Woodlawn Funeral Home.
“What the hell?
What is this bullshit? I’ve got to call the newspaper. Oh, shit. What if Troy
and Alicia sees this? I’ve got to call them.” He grabbed for his
telecommunicator just as it beeped. “Hello? Alicia! Alicia, settle down. It’s
me, Ethan. I’m fine, better than fine actually. No, I don’t know what’s going
on but I intend to find out. Believe me, I’m okay.
“Actually, for
some strange reason that I’m not going to question, I’m HIV-free. No, I’m not
kidding. Alicia, let me talk to you later. I have a lot of calls to make. I
have to call all of my customers and let them know that I’m still alive and
first thing tomorrow morning I have to call the newspaper and get them to print
a retraction. Yes, I will. Bye sis.”
₪₪₪₪₪
The next morning
Ethan entered the newspaper office approached the receptionist. “Hi, I’m Ethan
Evans. I’d like to speak with whoever handles the obituaries.”
“Let me see if
he’s in.” The receptionist dialed an extension. “Gus, this is Sally in the
lobby. I have an Ethan Evans here who would like to speak with you.”
“Hang on a sec.” She put the call on hold.
“May I see some form of photo ID please?”
I’m glad I came in person. I had a feeling
that I was going to have to prove I’m still alive. “Certainly,” he said
reassuringly as he showed her his drivers’ license.
“Thank you, Mr.
Evans,” she replied smiling. He’s so
cute. I’m glad he’s still alive. I see a retraction coming! She picked up
the phone again. “He showed me his license. It is Mr. Evans.”
Oh, shit! This is the third time this year
we’ve gotten wrong death information from the Life Sciences Center. I need to
definitely look into this. God I hope we haven’t caused too many people
heartache. Gus was a definite throwback from a time when reporters believed
in reporting the absolute truth and didn’t sensationalize the news to sell
papers. “I’ll be right down.”
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