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11. The Shearing of the Locks

There are many things Ruth and I disagree on. For instance she finds absolutely nothing wrong with eating salads in front of me. For some reason the collecting has never appealed to her as a desirable life vocation. Marriage benefits collecting leaves her even less enthused which has been great mystery to me after all these years of practicing with the devotion of a religious fanatic. Sigh. But one area of her life I have had a silent disagreement with all our married years. The length of her hair. She wears it short. About half an inch shorter then I find appealing. All about me--why does that you surprise you after all these years??!! My daughter went to Cosmotology school I am certain with the idea of keeping Ruth's hair cut short just to annoy me. Ruth even pays her for this service once in awhile. I allow Ruth to cut mine and Sandy only if I want Brownie points (which is rare)--the guttersnipes are always kept at arm's length to teach them I can be bought--cheaply. The problem as I see it is that when the Long suffering get the Glory of a Woman shorn she resembles to an alarming degree my idiot brother-in-law---not to be confused with my idiot nephew (who I actually DO like). Just once I broached this seeign double effect on the senses and there was abit of nervous laughter and a look of you're kidding right? and I closed the casket on that joke with a shudder anticipating future ressurections of theis vision from madness. Which last about a week when she stops looking like the thing from beyond belief. I've put up with her brother-in-law for years past the point of civility though in fairness to him I'ld rather have him visit then my oldest brother--a real prize I assure you. So anyhow Ruth returns, I lie about how good her hair looks and go back to admiring other aspects of her 'character'.

12. Transportation issues

I would rather spend a half hour listening to the trials and tribulations of Ruth's friend Amy from Indiana mostly to mock at the serio-comic aspects of her complaints then drive in downtown Dayton at night. Attending Ruth's college graduation is a given no question of duty and somewhat of a pleasure seeing her in her well earned glory but getting there is giving me cause to whine a bit. Ahhh-her ceremony--her car--yeah that will work.

This is not greeted with the warm reception I thought it should be. Why not use the boat (my name for the Grand Marquis)? Tue it would be less likely to want to bestolen from a parking lot. I give in to keep the peace but making her convince me she rally did know where the Victoria theater was. On the other hand I tend to be a back seat driver when riding with her so it's probably for the best.

13. A Meager Meal

Ruth is lukewarm about the Shadow and Pride and Prejudice comics. It is further no surprise to her she has to do Cinderella duty to the Grizzley for lunch even though she had provided eating funds. A baloney sandwich is handed to me with a soda and she escapes to her room and the computer for a couple of hours before we have to leave and I start to channel hop looking for That 70's Show reruns.

14. More and Worse Health News

Virgil was asking what made this day so memorable. There were three things that made it that way and no Marbles was isn't one of them--though he is symbolic of the day's ending. Ruth's graduation ceremony was the primary memory but what is about to come was the second (of three) events to make an impact.

I was sitting on the couch trying to find something non-challenging on the tube when Ruth comes out the bedroom and sits on the couch next to me.

She has news. She has received a call from Jim regarding my grand-daughter Ally. Ally has been receiving chemo treatments for the yellow sap tumor but now a fungus has been found in her bloodstream. Of course I turn the TV off.

We sit for a bit. Neither of us know quite what to say or think. I am determined not to be all upset and start blaming God and the unfairnes of it all. I react like a child to the trivial incidents of life--the big stuf is treated with respect and dignity. I wish we could have shared with you thatwe prayed TOGETHER but that would be a lie. Ruth and I have never quite been able to mesh our prayer lives together to where we are comfortable doing it with each other. Anyway Ally is doing wel and God is stilland always good but I wonder how my son is doing. He is mostly encouraged and I have seen no signs of anger or rage at this. So all is well is a bit unsettling.

15. A Firm Refusal

After a bit where the dram queen fails to get me downcast I turn my attention to my own health issues.

I take out the stress test brochure and make the mistake of actually reading it. I pass the test--if inducing heart attacks conditions is the purpose of the test I was well on my way to a passing grade. I go into the computer room to receive warmth and sympathy. What I get is smirks and too bad.

Sigh. I'm imagining all sorts of reactions to these deadly chemicals and nurses that are used to seeing dried up living corspes expire on them. "Clean up in room 3X--bring a guerney."

Then Ruth makes one remark that changes everything.

"You know they are going to bill you for this don't you."

I must be sleep deprived---if the thought had occured which it hadn't I would have thinking about the $25 co-pay. The depth of my stupidity and short-sightedness is beginning to astound me.

A decision is made pretty much on the spot. Based on my health coverage and the greed of the hospital I can expect at least a $500 bill which I simply can NOT afford at this time. Already working on a $1200 bill primarily consisting of blood tests and what not.

I call the docotr and cancel my appointent with Ursula. (P.S. I have an extended conversation with her yesterday about this but I stand firm and reveal it is all about inabiklity to pay and I will gladly do a stress test AFTER IRS is caught up. She has the good grace to at least see my point of view.

NEXT: The graduation ceremony at last