i'm laughing. really i am.

my mother called. she wants me to take her to the cleveland clinic in march to get her kidney looked at. there's nothing wrong with her kidney. it just needs to be x-rayed.

"can't you get that done in naples (fla) mom?"

"shit beth, these damn doctors down here don't know what they're doing"

mom is a nurse. granted, she hasn't actually practiced nursing in over 25 years, yet she knows that not one damn doctor in naples fla is capable of having her kidney x-rayed and diagnosed (with what????? i dunno...)

"i can't ask your brother (yeah, the one who is living with me now) or your sister because they both work, you know.?"

"mom, i haven't worked in 2 months cuz i've been sick. i haven't had a paycheck in almost 2 months. we're broke. i have to go back to work next week somewhere doing something. i'm sure i'll be working."

"i don't have anyone else who can take me. i'll let you know when the appt is."

just like that.

****

mom lives with her very rich boyfriend. long ago she said "it's time somebody took care of me for a change."

ahhh, but the tables have turned. the old man can't hear, can't see, can't go out by himself let alone take care of her. she has to stay with him or she won't collect her $100,000 when he kicks.

my soul is worth more than that i think. no, i KNOW it is.

****

this visit to the cleveland clinic is a week long process. (in weak whiny tired sad voice): "i'll have to get up there and rest for a couple days before the procedure and then recover afterward for a few days, you know."

please...for a fucking x-ray??? i know dye and iv's are involved - i've had this done many times myself due to the birth defect i have, but it never took prep and recovery time!!!

****

and all this after she sympathised with me about the problems my brother, her son, has been giving me.

duh???????

****

can you hear me laughing???