It’s 2:00 AM

At 2:00 AM, when you can’t seem to get to sleep, what does a person do? This one goes prowling the halls. I tied up my backless shirt as best I could, and ventured out into the hallowed halls of this medical institution. I really had no destination in mind, just wanted to work off some restlessness. Perhaps the restlessness was due to the possibility, offered by the Doctor, that I might go home today. Besides, earlier this evening they removed my connection to the IV stand. I still have the line in my arm for use in giving me antibiotics, but there is no longer the need for the constant fluid drip. I am free from the chrome walking partner until they come with the next dose of medicine.

There was NOBODY in the halls and not a single mouse was making a noise. I headed toward the nurses station at the intersection of the four great hallways. It took a while but soon the caregiver senses kicked in for the two Nightingales at the station. I was the first to speak and assured them: “It’s OK, I’m just sleep walking!”. The split second glance of uncertainty which they exchanged told me that my words did not have the desired effect. So I explained further, “I just needed to walk.” The antenna went down to half-mast and they indicated their appreciation for the assurances …. UNTIL … I turned to go down the hall that led to the ELEVATORS. The antenna came back up and I was told I could not travel that route. I, in turn, responded by saying, “I promise not to get on the elevators. I’m not trying to escape.” Nurse in charge repeated her prohibition and the both of them gave the appearance of cats tensing their muscles in case they needed to spring into action and pounce on this mouse.

I complied and continued my walk within the circumscribed space. On the way back, a few minutes later, I found a Godfather’s pizza box on the desk at the Nurses Station. I looked both ways and there was no one in sight … and my girlfriend was not keeping her eyes on me (those eyes were shut in slumber as she dreamed of me at home), and my fingers twitched as my nose sniffed … but alas another Nightingale came from the other direction and thwarted the formulation of my plan by her mere presence.

So I asked her why I could not go beyond previously mentioned portal. Her reason was that I might get out of range for the wireless heart-monitor that I’m wearing. I still suspect, however, that her response was a cover-up for the real reason; that being the fear of my escape into the night!