Horros of Memory

Story

Part 1

"Mrs. Applee, have you had anything to eat or drink since midnight?"

"Well, let's see. I had steak and eggs and two biscuits for breakfast," said Mildred. "Oh, and two cups of coffee."

The nurse stared at her in disbelief.

"I'm kidding. I know the rules. This is not my first surgery."

Karen Applee glared. "Mom—behave."

"Remember when you had your tonsils out, Honey, back in 1947? We bought you that Betsy Wetsy doll. Then we accidentally went off and left it at the hospital. And when your dad went back to get it, it was gone. You cried and cried for that doll."

"Okay, Mom. No, I don't remember that. But I believe you." Karen turned to the nurse. "My mother has a memory like a computer."

"And guess how old I am," said Mildred.

The nurse checked the chart in her hand. "Says here you're 90."

"That's right. And I never forget a thing."

"Well, that's very impressive," said the nurse with no particular interest. "The anesthetist will be in shortly." She turned and walked away.

"I hate being put under," said Mildred to her daughter.

"You'd rather be awake while they cut on you?"

"I think I could take it."

A young female doctor walked in. "Hi, Mrs. Applee. I'm Dr. Johnson, your anesthetist."

"Oh, Doctor, looks like my mother won't be needing your services."

"Karen," said Mildred.

"Oh. You're cancelling the surgery?" said the doctor.

"No," said Karen. "She wants to stay awake for the surgery."

The doctor's eyes widened.

"I was only kidding," said Mildred. "My goodness, Karen—can't you tell when I'm joking?"

Karen smiled at the doctor. "My mother is a big bluffer. Sometimes I just have to call her on it."

The doctor smiled back, and then looked at Mildred. "Well, I can assure, Mrs. Applee, that you don't want to have to bluff your way through this procedure."

"No, of course not." Mildred stuck out her tongue at her daughter.

Dr. Johnson assured Mrs. Applee that she would keep her comfortable throughout the surgery. Then she took out a syringe and injected a drug into Mildred's IV. "This will help you relax."

Two orderlies came in and unlocked the bed wheels and began rolling Mildred toward the surgery room.

"Love you, Honey. See you later."

"Love you, Mom."

**********

Part 2

"How are you feeling, Mom?"

"Okay, I guess." Mildred surveyed the room. "How long was I in surgery?"

"About thirty minutes. But then you were in recovery for nearly two hours."

"Wow. I must have really been knocked out. What time is it?"

Karen checked her watch. "A little after five."

"Oh, my goodness. I can't believe I've been asleep all this time."

Karen looked confused. "Mom, you've been awake. They brought you here to your room over an hour ago."