The Howl
September 1980, Sayre, Pennsylvania
By D. Marlene Austin
The late summer sun kissed my skin warmly as it filtered through the leaves outside the window of the hospital visitation room. Ah, my first excursion out of the room that had been my home for the past several weeks. Even being held captive in a full body cast couldn’t take away the freedom of the moment, as I gazed outside from my seat in the wheelchair.
This was the first time since the diving accident that left me quadriplegic that I had been able to see any kind of life from the outside world, and I sure was enjoying the moment. The nurse had pushed me up the hall as a treat for my good behavior and hard work. She told me I could stay as long as I was able, hooked me up with a special call bell, and went on about her business.
I had the room all to myself for the time being, and I wasn’t unhappy with the peace and solitude. I wasn’t much into seeing people, as my head had been shaved on either side to accommodate the tongs for my traction, and I had lost so much weight that I was looking pretty rough. Besides, the cast that covered me from my chin to my upper legs wasn’t exactly a favorable fashion statement.
I was completely comfortable sitting by myself, thinking my thoughts, and enjoying the view of the park across the street. My nurse had seated me at the far end of the room, where the view was best. As I sat pondering my life I heard quiet voices enter the other end of the room.
I couldn’t turn my head to look at them, but in my peripheral vision I saw a young man and woman as they sat down and began to chat. It wasn’t long before my presence caught their attention and I became the subject of their discussion.
Now, I know I probably looked rather odd, sitting there in my cast, and I know that, up until that moment, I had been completely silent. However, in my opinion, that was no excuse for what happened next. I was horrified and embarrassed when I started hearing bits and pieces of their conversation. They were talking about me like I was some kind of museum exhibit.
“Oh my gosh, what do you think happened to her?”
“Poor thing, isn’t that just awful?”
“Yuck, that’s just terrible, I feel sorry for her!”
At first I was stunned. This was my first brush with being on the receiving end of any kind of prejudgment or prejudice for being handicapped. I guess they assumed that my mind, or at the very least my hearing, must be affected as well as my body. Hot anger washed over me like a flash flood.
The anger quickly turned to humiliation, and then a plan started to form. The corners of my mouth lifted slightly to reveal a wicked little smile. They should have paid closer attention. There was no way that I was going to let them get away with such unthinking behavior.
I never moved a muscle, not even my eyes. I let them start to study me more closely and relax with their feelings of superiority. Then I struck.
Without any warning I let loose a high-pitched, witch-like cackle, just as loud as I could belt it out, and with every bit of my very best “Halloween” spirit. That screech echoed down the halls of the hospital and bounced off the walls. Momentarily those two kids froze, then jumped to their feet and took off out of that room like the demons from hell were hot on their tails.
By the time every nurse on the floor skidded to a halt amid a human pile-up inside the door of that visitation room I was laughing so hard I was gasping for breath and tears were streaming down my face. Amid the astonished queries of, “What happened to you?” and, “What happened to those two kids?” all I could manage to gasp out was, “Well, they shouldn’t have talked about me like I wasn’t here!”
There wasn’t a nurse in the room that could hide a smile, and more than one busted out with laughter. The “shame on you” lectures took a while in coming, and they really didn’t seem to carry a whole lot of weight.
As I was wheeled back to my room and put back into my bed, the nurses were left with the task of explaining to the other patients about the eerie disruption. Word of the incident made its rounds of the hospital, and continued to be a topic of discussion for quite some time.
All I know is this: Never again was I left unsupervised in that or any other visitation room during the remainder of my hospital stay.
D. Marlene Austin is a sign painter/artist, specializing in the art forms of glass etching and Scherenschnitte (a form of papercutting). This year she finally gave in to the “call of the pen.”
Posted by Elizabeth Armstrong Moore on Monday, December 11th, 2006 | Email This PostThis entry was posted on Monday, December 11th, 2006 at 12:03 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
23 Responses to “The Howl”
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December 11th, 2006 at 5:27 am
Oh my! I laughed! I still am. How wickedly brave of you! You responded to their unfeeling comments in a way I could never have. I would have exploded with fury and words not meant for human ears. You simply gave them what they were expecting.
To be a fly on the wall at that moment! I’ll stop laughing later and will tell others to read your story. Specifically those who could well have been that young couple.
How are you these days? You have obviously moved on from that time in your life so I applaud you; with enthusiasim and much respect.
December 11th, 2006 at 7:38 am
What a funny story! Ms. Austin told her story so well, it was like I was in the room as it happened. I wonder where those kids are today? Ha Ha Kudos to you Ms. Austin!
December 11th, 2006 at 7:47 am
I really enjoyed this story. It’s a lesson in self worth and self respect and (grit).
December 11th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
Emma,
Thank you for your wonderful comentary. Yes, I have come far forward by the Grace of God, stong faith, and two and a half years of rehabilitation. Against all medical posibilities, I am totally self-sufficient thease days. I walk, although with a limp, and I am very active in my community. I can\’t thank you enough for your support. God Bless!
December 11th, 2006 at 11:32 pm
I love it!
There were two things about this short story; one, I felt as though I were there and two, I wanted to hear more!
Will look forward to hearing more from you
December 12th, 2006 at 6:21 am
I like this story alot. I also was in the hospital when things were not going good. I think humor is the best thing to help you when things are not going good. I wish I was there to see it. It is one of the best I have ever read. Keep up the good work. I want to read more from you, so keep them comimg.
December 12th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
I love this short story. It made me laugh so hard. You gave those kids exactly what they needed. I cant wait to hear more of your stories!!!!
December 12th, 2006 at 7:02 pm
hey I LOVE UR STORY i thought it was funny well congrads on the stoy well g2g
Jared
December 12th, 2006 at 10:04 pm
That was one of the funniest stories I have read in years. I wish I could have been there. Your outlook on things is unique, and should be emulated by others in similar situations. I guess it was one of those spur of the moment things…if you know what I mean.
December 12th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
Yes, you are completely correct! One of those moments where you just decide to \”Go For It\”, the consequences are well worth the effort!
December 13th, 2006 at 7:11 am
I love it!! I read it last night and still laugh out loud whenever I think of it. I would have loved to have seen the look on that couple’s face! I know the author very well, and I can picture this happening! She has a wonderful sense of humor!
December 13th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
That is something I can so see you doing!!!!! You always said we’d write your story so others could share in your struggles, triumphs and humour. However after reading that piece I see that you don’t need any help with writing, it was simply amazing! You are such a talented and wonderful woman…you are truly someone I look up to now and forever, a role model for anyone going through a hard time!
December 14th, 2006 at 9:01 pm
WoW Aunt Marlene! that is hilarious! its a really good and meaningful story! i enjoyed it, cant wait to read more from you!
December 15th, 2006 at 8:39 am
That story is awsome. I can so picture you doing that. I have always admired the way you put people in their place. I hope that those people learned a valuable lesson as to use a little tact in life. Keep up the good work, you have so many God given talents, you are an inspiration to us all.
Love & miss you, Kim C
December 15th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
wonderful story, very inspirational to any who reads it. look forward to hearing more.
December 16th, 2006 at 11:55 am
Definately was a surprise ending after being captivated from the beginning.
December 17th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Awsome Story. From the beginning to the end you had me captivated. I would love to hear more stories from this writer.
December 18th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
I was captivated from the start to the wonderful ending! I would love to hear more of your stories.
December 21st, 2006 at 10:30 am
Marlene,
That story was so great! Knowing you as I do I can see you doing that. I applaude you! You are such an inspiration to us all and I look forward to more of your stories.
December 25th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
You go Girl!
Not only a very funny story but written so professionally that it appears that you have skipped right over the usually necessary “learning curve” of authorship. The narrative flows in logical sequence, which is easy to follow, and the reader anticipates the next sentence with interested curiosity, and then is not disappointed.
For you to even think of using humor at a time like that, in the predicament you were in, knowing that your future was so uncertain, is extremely admirable. To be in such high spirits, you must have had an intense degree of optimism, made possible by your unwavering faith.
In describing both your talent and your frame of mind, I am continually tempted to write “amazing” but that word is being so overused, that it has lost its intended impact and has become almost meaningless. I need a special word for YOU.
Very fondly,
Tinman
January 5th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
What a nice message this is for all of us regarding those souls in difficult straits such as Marlene was at this time. Her mind was 100 percent as is often the case following a stroke or accident. Through this story of her own experience she has sent an often needed message of the need for consideration and respect. “Thanks and Marlene you are indeed a profile in courage.”
January 8th, 2007 at 9:54 am
D. Marlene, you definitely deserve much respect from all who read your story. Your story was written amazingly well especially for the first one. Make sure you write more stories for us to read. I too wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see that scene! Love Ya!
January 8th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Aunt Marlene,this story was absolutely awesome. It was very well written. It really makes you wonder who has heard you talking about other people. I can’t wait to read more of your stories in the future. It makes me proud that I have such a cool aunt.