Oct2014_SO WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING
by Ryle Winn
I guess everybody has experienced it at some time or other. Excruciating pain, I mean. I copped a dose the other day. A pallet slipped from my ute while I was unloading some rubbish at Dakabin dump. Not enough care – no steel caps – in a hurry. I expected my left big toe to be squashed to pulp and in need of immediate amputation.
Hopping dramatically I said, ‘You drive Dan.’ A reasonable statement but probably unnecessary given that he’d driven there to help unload anyway.
‘Take your boot off,’ he said casually.
‘I’ll never get it back on again. Let’s get the hell out of here. I can feel it swelling already.’
Back at his place we swapped drivers and I proceeded homewards. The clutch didn’t get a lot of attention. Being as tough as old boots, stoic and with an incredibly high pain threshold I persevered. I expected a week on the bed, a fortnight on crutches, and much loving care.
Having wrestled my boot off, I was disappointed that such pain could produce such little obvious appreciable results. Huh! It was worthy of more.
‘What happened to you?’
Karyn said when she arrived,
‘Tucked up in your recliner and its only 4pm?’
‘I retired hurt. I’ve damaged my toe.’
For someone who is supposed to be good with words the statement didn’t carry much weight. She didn’t say ‘sook’ but her look did.
‘Show me. I’ll get some ice if you want.’
I nodded and tried to look wounded.
She returned with a hand towel wrapped around some ice cubes.
‘There you go. I’m sure you’ll be as good as new in no time.’
In fact, now that I’d had my foot elevated for a while the pain had subsided quite quickly but I didn’t want to appear a total wuss.
Karyn checked on me, bemused.
‘How’s the toe?’
‘Good – now.’
She added,
‘Has the ice melted?’
‘As a matter of fact I ate it.’
‘Thought you might.’
(There hadn’t been any ice cubes so she’d wrapped mango cubes instead. They were delicious and my black toe nail is now a totally boring talking point.)
Date claimer Don’t forget the Scout’s book fair (at Scout den – near football and soccer grounds) Last weekend in October Sat/Sun – 25th &26th – 9am-3pm both days. Book bargains guaranteed. Quality books – $2 and under.
Phone 3425 1247
