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Another Call
“Don’t you die on me, Mr. Gordon.” “Is the IV started?” “Give me his vitals.” “No pulse.” “Damn.” The ambulance careens through the traffic. The siren is barely audible to its occupants. Latex gloves, IV lines, oxygen mask, hypodermic needles, bandages and gauze all being applied with expert precision. “Hang in there Mr. Gordon, you’ll be okay.” The monitor reads flat line. “I’m going to use the paddles.” “Stand clear.” The awful “Whumpf” sound as the paddles are applied and the patient’s chest rises and falls. “Do we have a pulse?” “No.” “Stand clear.” Again the “Whumph”. Still a flat line on the monitor. “Damn, looks like we will be arriving with a DOA.” “Hey, it is your turn to buy the coffee.” “No way, I paid last time.”
Hissssssssss
Working all day in the hot summer sun, he leaves his sweaty, dirty clothes on the deck before going inside. He decides a warm soak in the hot tub would be a welcome refreshment after a hard day’s work. He steps back onto the deck to slip into the tub when he sees it. Water moccasins and rattlers were not uncommon for the area and he knew, at that moment, it was him or the snake. He slips quietly back in the door and grabs his pistol. The snake had not moved, so he knew he had the element of surprise on his side. He takes a deep breath and jumps out the door and begins shooting bullet after bullet, emptying the chamber. He tip toes over to what is left of the snake and examines his “kill.” He then sees the metal buckle shining through the carnage, the bullet tattered leather. His wife comes running “What happened? What’s the matter?” “I need a new belt.” |
