Friday

Pizza Friday!

All dressed

After lunch, when the rain ended and the sky cleared, Dad changed into his street clothes and we went for a walk. We walked as far as Mary Ellen's driveway, then turned around. When we got back to the porch and the rocker I saw that he was out of breath. But it was a start. A few short weeks ago he was too weak to hold a newspaper, so a jaunt of any length is tremendous progress.

This happened today when mom stepped out to buy food and supplies:

*Phone rings*

Nat: Hello?

Caller: *pause* Is this Bobby's wife?

Nat: No, this is his daughter.

Caller: What? *pause* Is Bobby home?

Nat: Yes but he's sleeping.

Caller: What?

2nd caller on other end: We're just wondering if Bobby is home now. We heard he was in the hospital.

Nat: Oh, OK...who is this? 

2nd caller: Leonard DeCoste is my dad.

1st caller:  Is Bobby home?

2nd caller to 1st caller: Yes Dad, she said he's home.

Nat: He's home now and he is feeling better.

1st caller: Oh!! That's good!!

Nat: I'll tell him you called.

1st caller: OK! *hangs up*

When Mom came home and heard the story she told me that Leonard was the yodeller. Then I remembered him from the old variety shows in Havre Boucher. He always sang the same song about how hard it is get into heaven. I mostly remember that you can't get to heaven on a piece of glass because you'll fall right down and skin your ass. Good to know. Apparently Leonard underwent treatment for prostate cancer a few years ago too, and sometimes checks in with Dad to see how he is doing. He's deaf now but I wonder if he still yodels, or does singing about skinning his ass remind him of his prostate cancer.