Two Weeks Ago
Wendy was doing a bit of Cardio to the pounding beat of Heart’s
”Barracuda” when here computer Chimed in to let her know she had mail and then went back to playing the song many credited with why they received speeding tickets. She kept going finally finishing with Creedence’s “Run through the Jungle” 8 songs later and she was only mildly exhausted as she grabbed a towel then dried off the light sheen of sweat she had built up before checking who had called.
Ms. Wendy Wethers you are required under article 1179 - C997 of the Heath code provisions to report to the nearest Health Care Facility
::list provided Georgia. gov//Human Genome Project::
You have 30 days to comply failure may and will result in arrest under the provisions of the National Health Care ActWendy had to read the E-mail twice scarcely believing they would need her to report to a Doctor outside of her HMO for Genetics research; she was already tracked and traced genetically as part of the Escatawpa Oncology Genetics Foundation. Then she just smiled chalking it up to Governmental Logic and checked her schedule.
It wasn’t a major concern of her’s to visit a doctor for another test because since Hurricane Franklin she’d been a source of medical scrutiny, a long term patient, and confusing medical case study; she was the only Cancer victim of that disaster free from its ravages.
Wendy sat in a comfortable chair happy she’d managed to set and appointment so close to her home in Smyrna where she lived with an old school friend and her husband in the garage apartment her rent tutoring her friend Mandy’s twins and the occasional babysitting gig with the same. An exclusive center in the Affluent Vinings community it wasn’t as crowded as those she’d seen over the past week on TV which meant no standing in que.
As she waited to be called she was aware of the leers of two teenage boys and a businessman and smiled amused at their clumsy self control. She was used to being stared at by men and boys ever since she’d recovered from her bout with cancer.
So when the nurse called her name Wendy stood and decided to have a bit of fun and did a slow cat walk to the door the nurse stood by just to have a good laugh at how easily her admirers could be manipulated. She had to giggle softly which caused the nurse to give her a “What’s up?” look which Wendy answered with only a smile her bright blue eyes sparkling with delight.
When they entered the exam/phlebotomy room Wendy took her seat and handed the nurse her list of medicines and a print out of her vitals and blood sugar levels for the last 6 months; it was a common request she thought they also might have even if it wasn’t listed in the E-mail.
The nurse told her to wait and about 5 minutes after she left the phlebotomist appeared pushing the usual cart with the tools of his trade. A heavy set blackman about 50 years old his badge said Robert Dodson and they smooth way her applied the tourniquet and held the vials for her blood draw made her think he was an experienced member of his trade.
”I need you to hold still Miss Wethers” he said in a deep and calming tone
”No worries there Mr. Dodson, not my first time” she answered
His technique was as smooth as she expected so she almost could say she didn’t even notice the needle entering her skin.
”I must say I love your skill with a needle Mr. Dodson; i dare say this isn’t your first time either” she said making him look up and smile.
”I was a Pharmacist’s mate in the Navy 30 years, retired and now I’m keeping myself busy as a Nurse, so yes not my first time” he chuckled as he switched vials and it was over.
She climbed into her 72 VW Thing a gift from her foster parents when she went away to college and cranked the strange machine then pulled out onto the Road enjoying the strange looks the square body convertible garnered as she headed to a favorite BBQ starved because she'd skipped any food or drink since midnight last night.