A close call with Delany
Mood:
Worried
Chip Delany went to the hospital today and I only found out about it through a third-hand source late in the afternoon.
I went to the hospital and after dealing with some thalidomide babies wearing security guard costumes, I found that he had been discharged an hour before I got there.
I went to his house and spoke to his long term partner, Dennis, who said that Chip had severe food poisoning. Chip was sleeping soundly, but might be out of action for a few days. I've never seen Dennis so happy. He looked ten years younger which is good because taking Chip to the hospital must have been a horrible experience for Dennis.
While I never actually saw Chip, seeing Dennis so happy and exuberant made me feel better. If it had been any one but Dennis answering the door, I might have gone home still worried, but since Dennis is one of those very rare good souls who wouldn't rest a wink until the person he loved was safe, I knew if Dennis was in good spirits, then Chip was OK too.
To be sure, I went through a wide range of emotions while waiting in the hospital - all the selfish concerns (what else could I learn from Chip? was I a good student?) cropped up. I wondered if I would have to be the person to break bad news to the Temple University community? So there I was, a grumpy 30 YO pacing the waiting room. The guards told me he had already left so I went to my car and changed my contact lenses. They must have dried up because my eyes were watering much more so than usual. That sort of thing usually doesn't happen to me.
Tonight I lay to my rest exhausted but thankful.
To those who read this,please take a moment tonight to direct your karma and prayers towards 10th and Spruce Streets in Philadelphia. Help an old writer's stomache feel better!
CLOSER TO
I went to the hospital and after dealing with some thalidomide babies wearing security guard costumes, I found that he had been discharged an hour before I got there.
I went to his house and spoke to his long term partner, Dennis, who said that Chip had severe food poisoning. Chip was sleeping soundly, but might be out of action for a few days. I've never seen Dennis so happy. He looked ten years younger which is good because taking Chip to the hospital must have been a horrible experience for Dennis.
While I never actually saw Chip, seeing Dennis so happy and exuberant made me feel better. If it had been any one but Dennis answering the door, I might have gone home still worried, but since Dennis is one of those very rare good souls who wouldn't rest a wink until the person he loved was safe, I knew if Dennis was in good spirits, then Chip was OK too.
To be sure, I went through a wide range of emotions while waiting in the hospital - all the selfish concerns (what else could I learn from Chip? was I a good student?) cropped up. I wondered if I would have to be the person to break bad news to the Temple University community? So there I was, a grumpy 30 YO pacing the waiting room. The guards told me he had already left so I went to my car and changed my contact lenses. They must have dried up because my eyes were watering much more so than usual. That sort of thing usually doesn't happen to me.
Tonight I lay to my rest exhausted but thankful.
To those who read this,please take a moment tonight to direct your karma and prayers towards 10th and Spruce Streets in Philadelphia. Help an old writer's stomache feel better!
CLOSER TO
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