This afternoon I finally got hold of Anthony on the phone. I had tried numerous times during the day because I was worried about yesterday as a nurse had rung me in the evening to report a fall just after he got back from here.
You see, yesterday I got Ants taxied home again but earlier than usual. I wanted to see if a whole day home would work because usually it’s just for a few hours and he gets upset to have to leave so soon.
So he arrived at 11am which coincided with one of his medication times. I gave him the pill, and Ming, Ants and I sat out on the front veranda making the kind of smalltalk you make when one person can’t participate.
At around noon the drug kicked in and Ants was able to walk, with our help, into the house. We then watched a comedy on TV, and they ate pancakes with maple syrup and cream for lunch (Ming’s idea – yuck!)
By 1.30pm Ants had again become wobbly so I slowly shuffled him to the bed and he slept until 3pm. I helped him up and outside again and then Ming and I got him into the wheelchair ready for the taxi.
This might not sound like a wonderful day but it was!
But this afternoon’s conversation was a bit of a blow. When I finally resorted to ringing the nurses to help Anthony answer the phone, this is what we said to each other:
Me: Ants, I’ve been ringing you all day. Why can’t you remember how to answer the phone? I’ve been so worried about your fall.
Anthony: Well, there’s a reason for that – we don’t get along anymore.
Me: What! What are you talking about?
Anthony: The fence.
Me: Which fence?
Anthony: On farms, you know – broken fences.
Me: No, all of the fences are fixed now, Ants.
Anthony: But us – the fence I mean – it’s broken.
Me: I don’t understand what you mean!
Anthony: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it, I was just joking. Jules, don’t cry please.
….
Okay, I got over this ghastly phonecall and we both ended up saying áll the I-love-you stuff.
I don’t think this fence can be fixed, but I guess it can be mended whenever we fall on it.
jmgoyder 