I was discharged from the hospital two days later. The doctor gave me a pep talk, beginning like this,
“A man of your age . . .”
Translates as
Translate as
“Tops, a year.”
He did give me a painkiller prescription, warning,
“These are heavy-duty . . .”
(I should f*****g hope so.)
“And I trust you will use discretion and due diligence.”
Doctors nowadays speak more like lawyers and lawyers won’t speak at all without heavy cash up front. I said,
“Thank you for all your care.”
He looked to see if he detected a barb, added,
“And absolutely no alcohol.”
“As if I would.”
I called a cab from the River Inn, situated right across from the hospital, and they do a roaring trade. The barmaid, Mary, said,
“Jesus, Jack, you look pale.”
“But willing. I’ll have a Jay and pint.”
My timing wa
