Boris' Hospital Visit



Boris, who worked in pest control, showed up at the public library one day to get help studying for a pest control test. Passing that test, he would get a raise at his job. Library worker Peter was able to help Boris practice for the test. Boris passed the test and was grateful for the librarian's help. Two months later, Boris had a severe pain in his lower back and needed to get to the hospital. Having no family in town, Boris called Peter and asked him for help getting to the hospital.


The call reached Peter on a Saturday at 4 pm. The two of them went to hospital together and Peter sat by Boris' bed hour after hour. "This pain is too much for anyone to endure on their own," Peter thought to himself. The hours passed by and at 5 am a nurse came into the room and asked Peter, "Are you Boris' friend or family." Peter honestly replied, "I'm neither. I'm his librarian." Nurse said, "I have seen no family member with the devotion you have shown this man. To sit by his side for twelve hours straight."


"Who else is going to do it," Peter asked?


Peter looked over at Boris, who was finally sleeping, his face a little less contorted with pain. The hospital lights cast a soft glow over the room. It wasn't the kind of place Peter had ever expected to spend his weekend.


Around 8 a.m., a doctor finally came in with test results.


"It's a kidney stone," the doctor announced. "A big one, but not unmanageable. We'll need to keep him for observation and likely perform a minor procedure later today."


Peter breathed a sigh of relief. Kidney stones were painful, yes, but not life-threatening.


Boris muttered. "You stayed all night?"


Peter nodded. "Of course. You didn't think I'd let you go through this alone, did you?"


Boris closed his eyes for a moment, then said, "Most people just see me as 'the pest control guy.' You saw more than that. You saw me."


Peter shrugged. "You saw a librarian as more than just someone who shelves books. Seems fair."


(This story is donated to the public domain.)


--
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
https://pairsmathgame.com
https://philshapirochatgptexplorations.blogspot.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/philshapiro.bsky.social

He/Him/His

"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."
"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

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