It has been over six months that George has been feeding his brother. He needed a break but God would not allow it. Hell, as much as he tried, Mel had been resembling a zombie. All he wished to do was sleep. He knew that Mel had been having severe back and neck pain and thought that possibly it was due to a brain infection...although Mel had always had severe head aches.
Four bus rides and a book about Eddie Rickenbacker helped him forget the Wax Museum in the rear of his apartment. But when six thirty came around, there was George at his bedside. Mel was dead asleep...and at first thought he might be dead. But when he had turned on the T.V. Mel's right leg moved. Slowly, ever so slowly Mel climbed out of his stupor and sat up. (Rickenbacker shot down twenty two German planes in W.W. 1. He was the ace of all aces.)
"What day is it? Where is my breakfast?"
"Didn't you eat today?"
"No!"
"Here is some Panda Express."
"Feed me! I can't see!
While he fed him, one fork at a time, he wondered why the assistants did not feed him.
Were they allowing him to slowly cash in his chips?
After he had revived my brother. he exited to the desk and found nobody at home. Nobody would be overseeing Mel again. But Mel did eat and drink some liquids, so he knew he would survive, or he prayed that he would. It felt good to supplant the ones who should have fed him.
Yet the next morning, he entered his room 235B and found him up and awake with no pain. Again he helped to feed him, one fork at a time. And Again he complained, one word at a time.
"I am blind. I can't see!"
But George did see the problem. Mel's left eye's lid covered the eye, and my research showed a procedure could raise the blinds so that he could see the sun some out again. In my head, I began to sing, 'The sun will come out, tomorrow..." At eight thirty he told the desk nurse that he wished Mel to have a procedure that would alleviate the hanging blind over his eye.
Yes it was Brother's Day in Surf City...and why not, his birthday would be coming up in the month of May and by God, he would make it to 76.
Friday, May 12, 2017
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Surf City Dream
Ever since George spoke to his prostate doctor, His memory has re-harvested long lost memories. This morning was no exception. Since that day in Anaheim he took his advise and removed bread and ice cream from his diet. That was three weeks ago.
The night before, he lost his keys and car in a dream, but at least he found his keys when he awoke. While George ate his Trader Joe's Corn Flakes, two names surfaced while he spooned the cereal to his mouth: Rosenberg and Briggs.
These names snapped,crackled and popped into his head. One was his Greco-wrestling class as a freshmen at U.C.L.A. The other one was a doctor at a medical clinic beside the Huntington Memorial Hospital. But let me go and let George take over.
Briggs was my physical fitness teacher at U.C.L.A. I took the class in 1958 while pledging the fraternity Tau Delta Phi. Every other day, we practiced wrestling inside a gym. On one occasion I used a fireman's carry and pinned a large student to the Matt. Unfortunately, Briggs had me up against the same man again. As my asthma flared up, my energy had been snapped and he slammed me to the mat. I turned my head in the nick of time and my shoulder hit with a thud.
My shoulder never did heal. I learned that nobody could out-distance me in a race or do more pull ups then. It was one of two courses I received a B in at the school. The other class was business calculus. I could not read without any comprehension.
The other name, Rosenberg surfaced also that morning. Mel had been a patient of his and must have hurt my brother badly the first time. A Dr. Jennings had referred him for that doctor. Mel told me that he had hurt him and was reluctant to return.
But Melvyn did return with an appointment to see the dermatologist. A shuttle from Sea Cliff took us to his medical building. Before we entered the first time, I glanced through his office. Just ass we entered the door, the good doctor must have seen us as I saw a him look at Mel and then the nurse He waved to a secretary as if telling her not to allow him inside.
The secretary told us that he did not have an appointment. The second time we did, but he screamed that he had no clue as to "why we came." It had been a Dr. Gray who phoned me and told me that the Sea Cliff should take a biopsy...Sea Cliff never received any papers from the H.B. hospital.
The second time the name cropped up after a Dr. Gray had called me to warn me that his ear infection must was critical. The Sea Cliff had no notes from the Huntington Memorial Hospital that released him to Sea Cliff.
Again no coordination or transparency existed then or now.
The night before, he lost his keys and car in a dream, but at least he found his keys when he awoke. While George ate his Trader Joe's Corn Flakes, two names surfaced while he spooned the cereal to his mouth: Rosenberg and Briggs.
These names snapped,crackled and popped into his head. One was his Greco-wrestling class as a freshmen at U.C.L.A. The other one was a doctor at a medical clinic beside the Huntington Memorial Hospital. But let me go and let George take over.
Briggs was my physical fitness teacher at U.C.L.A. I took the class in 1958 while pledging the fraternity Tau Delta Phi. Every other day, we practiced wrestling inside a gym. On one occasion I used a fireman's carry and pinned a large student to the Matt. Unfortunately, Briggs had me up against the same man again. As my asthma flared up, my energy had been snapped and he slammed me to the mat. I turned my head in the nick of time and my shoulder hit with a thud.
My shoulder never did heal. I learned that nobody could out-distance me in a race or do more pull ups then. It was one of two courses I received a B in at the school. The other class was business calculus. I could not read without any comprehension.
The other name, Rosenberg surfaced also that morning. Mel had been a patient of his and must have hurt my brother badly the first time. A Dr. Jennings had referred him for that doctor. Mel told me that he had hurt him and was reluctant to return.
But Melvyn did return with an appointment to see the dermatologist. A shuttle from Sea Cliff took us to his medical building. Before we entered the first time, I glanced through his office. Just ass we entered the door, the good doctor must have seen us as I saw a him look at Mel and then the nurse He waved to a secretary as if telling her not to allow him inside.
The secretary told us that he did not have an appointment. The second time we did, but he screamed that he had no clue as to "why we came." It had been a Dr. Gray who phoned me and told me that the Sea Cliff should take a biopsy...Sea Cliff never received any papers from the H.B. hospital.
The second time the name cropped up after a Dr. Gray had called me to warn me that his ear infection must was critical. The Sea Cliff had no notes from the Huntington Memorial Hospital that released him to Sea Cliff.
Again no coordination or transparency existed then or now.
Surf City's House of Wax
The House of Wax appears to be any old motel. It sits a block off of Main on Florida Street. Its gateway is Trader Joe's and the Java restaurant off of the Five Points Shopping Center.
It appears that Florida Street had been excised from the rest of Huntington Beach as a recluse for the aged and dying. Inside the House of Wax sleeps Brother Mel Ben Garrett. Inside the Sea Cliff Health Care Center sleep hundreds of others. Tier One is for those where a cure just might be possible and they sleep here on a temporary basis.
Among other ailments, he suffered from an ear infection that apparently metastasized into brain cancer perhaps because a serious ear growth had been treated with ear drops at the Pacific Spartan Assistant Living Center in Westminster City.
George has visited Mel for over six months now. The act comes without thinking as he drives in neutral with God at the controls. It is important for George to subsidize his diet and his happy that he is served a burger for lunch and a good breakfast. But he seldom gets outside for a trip to Norms or the beach. His car had been stolen from the Five Points Apartments on the corner.
Two others have died in bed number one inside the fourth hall way and Mel remembers waking up to the sounds of a coroner as the lifted the cold one into a litter. Kim has only slept there overnight as Mel awoke with the sound of an oxygen machine and coughing.
"Get his eyes open please!"
Kim was wheeled away and the room deloused in he morning When George entered later in the day, a cleaner had removed the bedding bed and grumbled in Spanish his plight. Outside the name of Kim had been darken but not removed. No matter what, Mel waits for his food to be served. And I am there to feed him at night.
George tries to end his day with a trip to the City View Shopping Center. There is something about viewing the ocean and watching the couples holding hands that makes the day worth it.
It appears that Florida Street had been excised from the rest of Huntington Beach as a recluse for the aged and dying. Inside the House of Wax sleeps Brother Mel Ben Garrett. Inside the Sea Cliff Health Care Center sleep hundreds of others. Tier One is for those where a cure just might be possible and they sleep here on a temporary basis.
Among other ailments, he suffered from an ear infection that apparently metastasized into brain cancer perhaps because a serious ear growth had been treated with ear drops at the Pacific Spartan Assistant Living Center in Westminster City.
George has visited Mel for over six months now. The act comes without thinking as he drives in neutral with God at the controls. It is important for George to subsidize his diet and his happy that he is served a burger for lunch and a good breakfast. But he seldom gets outside for a trip to Norms or the beach. His car had been stolen from the Five Points Apartments on the corner.
Two others have died in bed number one inside the fourth hall way and Mel remembers waking up to the sounds of a coroner as the lifted the cold one into a litter. Kim has only slept there overnight as Mel awoke with the sound of an oxygen machine and coughing.
"Get his eyes open please!"
Kim was wheeled away and the room deloused in he morning When George entered later in the day, a cleaner had removed the bedding bed and grumbled in Spanish his plight. Outside the name of Kim had been darken but not removed. No matter what, Mel waits for his food to be served. And I am there to feed him at night.
George tries to end his day with a trip to the City View Shopping Center. There is something about viewing the ocean and watching the couples holding hands that makes the day worth it.
Friday, May 5, 2017
An Upset at the A.V.P
George had a busy morning. He visited a Dodge Dealership off Beach and then went to a seminar at the Olive Garden. His brother of 75 years might be dead meat now-- at any time. The $2000 he had drawn from the Sea Cliff Health Center would go for a car. He then sat down at the Olive Garden for a seminar on a cremation provided by Smart Cremation.
"All it costs is $4,050 and today only, a $250 deposit will insure your loved one's space inside a lovely gilded urn covered with satin...We will pick up and do everything for your loved ones. You can use your credit card to pay the balance monthly..."
After the free lunch and talk, He took the number 29 beach bus to Main Street Huntington Beach. The library is on Main and a block away on Fifth is Bruxie,where his burger waffle was waiting...but after feeding my taste buds, He wished to partake in beach volleyball again, not as a player but a spectator. He found a lovely spot and sat down.beside an outside court.
"Did you save this spot just for me?"
"Go right ahead. My shade is your shade."
"Where you from?"
" Riverside...took freeway here with friend. Will stay at Costa Mesa with friend."
"Save time and money by getting on the number one P. C.H. bus. Will drop you off right here!"
George and Mike volleyed words back and forth until Mike mentioned that he played with Mr. Volleyball, Bobby Barber and Gene Selznick at Muscle Beach, south of the Santa Monica Pier
"Gene had two kids and Dana became a coach for beach pros. Bobby's oldest kid also taught the pros but had a leg amputated....
"I have five albums of Muscle Beach and get in touch with Chris. They are on the market. Sheb Conway willed them for me before he passed on."
In the back ground, a bunch of mothers and wives screamed for the two underdogs. And the younger, but home team men from Huntington Beach beat the team with names, one of witch got a gold in Australia. They were jubilant when their home town boy's beat the favorites.
"Got to go now and feed my brother. He has brain cancer and lives in back of me
After a bus ride home, George visited his brother Mel, as he has for over six months. The Sea Cliff Health Center is a block from his apartment. As he approached the fourth tier of the nursing home, he saw the cleaner mopping the floor. The bed's mattress and sheets were gone. Mr. Clean muttered a few Mexican obscenities In bed two Mel got up and sallied forth a few barbs as to what happened to Bed one.
"Gurney came today for Christie. He had been coughing all night and I had to listen to an Oxygen machine. Could not sleep. The coroner told a nurse to open his eyes...George did you bring me spaghetti?
"No but I will go to Panda to buy you some chow main. Did Dr. Lecter see you yesterday?.(More to come.)
"All it costs is $4,050 and today only, a $250 deposit will insure your loved one's space inside a lovely gilded urn covered with satin...We will pick up and do everything for your loved ones. You can use your credit card to pay the balance monthly..."
After the free lunch and talk, He took the number 29 beach bus to Main Street Huntington Beach. The library is on Main and a block away on Fifth is Bruxie,where his burger waffle was waiting...but after feeding my taste buds, He wished to partake in beach volleyball again, not as a player but a spectator. He found a lovely spot and sat down.beside an outside court.
"Did you save this spot just for me?"
"Go right ahead. My shade is your shade."
"Where you from?"
" Riverside...took freeway here with friend. Will stay at Costa Mesa with friend."
"Save time and money by getting on the number one P. C.H. bus. Will drop you off right here!"
George and Mike volleyed words back and forth until Mike mentioned that he played with Mr. Volleyball, Bobby Barber and Gene Selznick at Muscle Beach, south of the Santa Monica Pier
"Gene had two kids and Dana became a coach for beach pros. Bobby's oldest kid also taught the pros but had a leg amputated....
"I have five albums of Muscle Beach and get in touch with Chris. They are on the market. Sheb Conway willed them for me before he passed on."
In the back ground, a bunch of mothers and wives screamed for the two underdogs. And the younger, but home team men from Huntington Beach beat the team with names, one of witch got a gold in Australia. They were jubilant when their home town boy's beat the favorites.
"Got to go now and feed my brother. He has brain cancer and lives in back of me
After a bus ride home, George visited his brother Mel, as he has for over six months. The Sea Cliff Health Center is a block from his apartment. As he approached the fourth tier of the nursing home, he saw the cleaner mopping the floor. The bed's mattress and sheets were gone. Mr. Clean muttered a few Mexican obscenities In bed two Mel got up and sallied forth a few barbs as to what happened to Bed one.
"Gurney came today for Christie. He had been coughing all night and I had to listen to an Oxygen machine. Could not sleep. The coroner told a nurse to open his eyes...George did you bring me spaghetti?
"No but I will go to Panda to buy you some chow main. Did Dr. Lecter see you yesterday?.(More to come.)
Thursday, May 4, 2017
A.V.P. This Week in H.B.
Timed it just right and from the #38 jump aboard the #28 headed south on Beach. Starbucks had provided me with water after the disaster going to a HMO dentist. It turned ten thirty and no time to be in Anaheim in the afternoon. Next to me was Knox Berry Farm.
I sat up front and noticed a wiry, thin blond eyeing me. she wore a ace sleeve over her left knee. sleeve on her thin leg and threw in over my legs -- and I needed a change in my today's diet. Her legs resembled pencils and the rest of her torso was barren. But she was a cute little thing, just what a needed to get my mind off of the HMO dentist.
"Don't tell me you went to Western Dental? Why a couple of years ago their crown flew off a few days after my visit...Do you mind?" She threw her bad leg over mine and there was a hint of drugs on her breath. But the little face owned a cute smile. A thin bearded man over heard us. He chimed in.
"Never go a a dentist unless they are Asian. They have a lot of patience."
Last time I came down this street was to for a prostate exam. While the doctor's finger probed, he confessed that his finger was too short and wished a longer one like mine."
Well with that my two new friends couldn't stop laughing. The thin titanium began to work my back with her free right hand. I didn't mind the attention after my misguided trip to the Anaheim dentist. She withdrew her hand and poked it into her hand bag and removed a bottle.
"Here. I brew the tea myself. Try it."
I removed the cap and slugged it down my deep throat. I was dehydrated anyway. She then asked me for my phone number and at first I said no, but the little one insisted. Barely audible, she asked me for my birthday. I asked her if she had any kids...
But enough of this nonsense, but the main idea is riding a bus to the A.V.P tournament in Huntington Beach. Those who live in the Los Angeles area, may I suggest taking the number 1 Octa bus out of Long Beach. It stops every hour on Seventh Street, across the street from the VA. In fact, you can park your car at the VA parking lot for free.
The 1 bus weaves through Seal Beach and stops at Leisure World. It then returns to Seal Beach Blvd., makes a few turns and rolls through Sunset Beach. In about twenty minutes you have made it to Main. Bleacher seats have been planted in front of the boardwalk. No longer is it free.
Those who come early can enjoy the brand new City View Shopping center off of P.C.H. There are all types of eateries, even if a bit pricey. I bring my lunch and watching the tourists who stay at one of the three hotels off of P.C.H. Now they call it Pacific City, but for me, the view is wonderful.
Before paying to get in to the best volleyball a few bobs can buy, make sure to carry sun screen a and a bottle of run so you won't dehydrate in the sun. Afterwards, you can rent a bike or four seat carriage at Dwight's or Zack's before deciding on a dinner at the City View Shopping Center.
The number one bus runs on the hour so make sure you know the times it stops in Huntington Beach. And by all means, make sure you do your toilet before riding it back to Long Beach.
Well, got to go now. I will decide on a car to buy this weekend.
I sat up front and noticed a wiry, thin blond eyeing me. she wore a ace sleeve over her left knee. sleeve on her thin leg and threw in over my legs -- and I needed a change in my today's diet. Her legs resembled pencils and the rest of her torso was barren. But she was a cute little thing, just what a needed to get my mind off of the HMO dentist.
"Don't tell me you went to Western Dental? Why a couple of years ago their crown flew off a few days after my visit...Do you mind?" She threw her bad leg over mine and there was a hint of drugs on her breath. But the little face owned a cute smile. A thin bearded man over heard us. He chimed in.
"Never go a a dentist unless they are Asian. They have a lot of patience."
Last time I came down this street was to for a prostate exam. While the doctor's finger probed, he confessed that his finger was too short and wished a longer one like mine."
Well with that my two new friends couldn't stop laughing. The thin titanium began to work my back with her free right hand. I didn't mind the attention after my misguided trip to the Anaheim dentist. She withdrew her hand and poked it into her hand bag and removed a bottle.
"Here. I brew the tea myself. Try it."
I removed the cap and slugged it down my deep throat. I was dehydrated anyway. She then asked me for my phone number and at first I said no, but the little one insisted. Barely audible, she asked me for my birthday. I asked her if she had any kids...
But enough of this nonsense, but the main idea is riding a bus to the A.V.P tournament in Huntington Beach. Those who live in the Los Angeles area, may I suggest taking the number 1 Octa bus out of Long Beach. It stops every hour on Seventh Street, across the street from the VA. In fact, you can park your car at the VA parking lot for free.
The 1 bus weaves through Seal Beach and stops at Leisure World. It then returns to Seal Beach Blvd., makes a few turns and rolls through Sunset Beach. In about twenty minutes you have made it to Main. Bleacher seats have been planted in front of the boardwalk. No longer is it free.
Those who come early can enjoy the brand new City View Shopping center off of P.C.H. There are all types of eateries, even if a bit pricey. I bring my lunch and watching the tourists who stay at one of the three hotels off of P.C.H. Now they call it Pacific City, but for me, the view is wonderful.
Before paying to get in to the best volleyball a few bobs can buy, make sure to carry sun screen a and a bottle of run so you won't dehydrate in the sun. Afterwards, you can rent a bike or four seat carriage at Dwight's or Zack's before deciding on a dinner at the City View Shopping Center.
The number one bus runs on the hour so make sure you know the times it stops in Huntington Beach. And by all means, make sure you do your toilet before riding it back to Long Beach.
Well, got to go now. I will decide on a car to buy this weekend.
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