GOOD ADVICE
I had just plonked down with my TV and started to set it all up. “Who owns this furniture,” I asked not thinking.
“It is Dan and Meryl’s and they are coming as I leave on the plane tomorrow,” Mum said, oblivious to how I was feeling.
“What in the hell? You tricked me to come here and know full well I haven’t even a damn fridge here, Mum,” I faltered.
“Nothing I can do about it.”
Then there was a beep outside and Dan thundered into the house. “How do you like the house, Tam,” Dan snarled.
“It is shit if you really must know and take your dam furniture. I have a backache from the damn chairs already.”
“I think someone is just taking a hissy fit,” snapped Dan. “That is our cue to go and are you ready, Mum?”
“See you Tam,” Mum said without even giving me a hug.
There I sat all alone, feeling lost and desolate. Luckily, there was one large bed in there and I sat down, meaning to only rest for a bit, but I fell asleep until morning.
The next day, I jumped out of bed, suddenly feeling hungry and walked to the toilet half-asleep. All of a sudden, I slipped on something and fell with a sickening thud on the floor and knocked myself out.
I don’t know how long I had been there. I woke up trying to regain my composure, but I felt disorientated. As I tried to get myself up, I winced in pain. I looked down my wrist and it had swollen to twice its size. “What do I do now?” My head was starting to ache and throb. In the fog, I thought I would walk to the shopping centre and luckily I caught the right bus which brought me straight to the hospital.
I went to the triage feeling disorientated and in pain. The nurse at triage took one look at me and put me ahead of the cue. “How are you feeling, Ma'am,” she asked.
“Not too good,” I replied.
As she asked a multitude of questions, it became apparent that I had slight concussion and a broken wrist. “Now Tam, have you had any painkillers today?” I said “no” and the nurse went back to get the doctor so that I could be given the painkillers. “Here you are Ma'am,” she said, “and the doctor will be with you in a moment.”
I took the painkillers and soon felt a little better, but tired. “How are you, Tam,” the young doctor said.
“I have seen better days,” I faltered.
“Well you had a nasty bump to the head and a broken wrist, Tam. So you are not to stay home alone tonight, just to be on the safe side,” he said seriously. “Is there a next of kin that I can call?”
“Yes, here is my Mum’s number,” I said.
“Okay then I will call her to come here or meet you at home,” he said as he went away to call. A little while later he came back. “Tam is there something going on with your family?”
“No not really,” I said, wondering what Mum had said. “What did Mum say, by the way?”
“Well your Mum is hell bent on going to Sydney while you are having an injury. I explained how serious it was and it was disregarded,” said the doctor sounding annoyed.
“Well it goes like this Doc, my mother and I had looked after one another for years until my brother promised her a house.”
“Oh I see,” said the doctor sounding interested.
“Once we arrived here in the tropics, the house never eventuated and I find that my mother is taking my brothers side and not listening to anything that I say...” I faltered nearly bursting into tears.
“Oh cripes, not another spineless old woman,” said the doctor.
“I did not say that,” I said looking at him.
“I know, Tam, but I just put two and two together and I come up four,” he smiled “It is none of my business, Tam, but your family has no respect for you or your children and if I were you I would distance myself from them and make life for yourself.”
“Oh,” I said.
“Yes, Tam you can. Have you eaten yet?”
“No.”
“Well I’ll get you a sandwich and a juice,” said the doctor, talking to the nurse to get me a sandwich and a drink. The nurse returned and gave me the sandwich. “Now you eat that, Tam, while I organize your plaster.”
I finished the sandwhich and then the doctor popped my plaster on. “Now I was going to pop you in hospital tonight,” said the doctor, “but there has been a serious accident nearby so there are no beds. Now, here is the number of the hospital and promise me if you feel worse then call the ambulance, Tam,” said the doctor, concerned.
“Thanks so much, Doc, for listening to my winging,” I said.
“That wasn’t winging but airing your problems. I am glad I haven’t a mother like that jeeeeese,” he said.
I went home on the bus with a packet of painkillers and felt the warmth of the plaster on my arm. It was nearly Christmas time and all the decorations were up. I thought that I would ring David and Jenny to let them know what happened. I need not have worries, as I arrived home with supplies, there was a call from David.
“Hi! How are you, Mum,” he asked, trying to sound cheerful.
“Not too bad,” I lied.
“Mum what is wrong? You sound awful.”
“I have broken my wrist, Dave, and I'm on painkillers, so not good.”
“Oh crumbs are you alone, Mum? As we have to work on Christmas Day,” he said seriously.
“I am good, David,” I faltered. “I will see you after Christmas then.” I sighed.
“Is that okay with your Mum? We need the money,” he said.
“Where is Jen?”
“At a lecture, Mum,” said David. “Well, I better get going. My lecture starts soon. Ring me if you need anything, Mum.”
At that moment, I felt like bursting into tears at the thought of spending Christmas alone with a broken arm. It was terrible, but I managed to take a shower and get a coffee. Finally, from sheer exhaustion and the effects of painkillers, I fell asleep.