Drama, Defined.

This will have to be a Double-Entry night. I have something Very Important to say later, but first, an update on the Drama: (and proof that nothing is ever as Simple as it seems....)

If you prefer not to read an update, that is ok with me, just click on that "Next Blog" button in the top right corner and hope you don't land on porn...

(Or hope that you DO! Whatever.)

So. On Christmas Afternoon, Jeff, Singing-Lisa, Torrey, Rachelle & Scott were here at the house and we were drinking, eating, and checking out our new presents when we noticed flashing emergency lights through my grandma-sheers in the front window. I was immediately concerned that Joe, our 70-year-old neighbor had had another heart attack and ran to the front door to check on him. He was ok. He and his wife, Phyllis, were actually sitting in their car, in front of our house after returning from lunch and on their way over here for a visit. Turns out that the paramedics were aimed at the townhouse on the corner, 3 down from mine, where Laura (who had cataract surgery on the 6th) and Al live. Phyllis went and checked out the situation and found that Laura had found Al unconscious on the kitchen floor. She refused to go to the hospital and they took him on in. Unfortunate, but not really a surprise, as Al is 88-years-old. And not exactly spry.

That evening, Phyllis and Joe went over to take Laura to the hospital but she couldn't function well enough to even put her pants on and stand up straight. When she fell back on the bed, Phyllis called 911. They came, took Laura off in her own ambulance, and we were worried, but glad they were both in the care of Trained Medical Professionals. Around 11:30 that night, I noticed a taxi out front and figured, correctly, that the hospital had released her.

The next night, Monday night, Mac noticed the emergency lights again through the Grandma-Curtains. I just couldn't stand it. I had to know that she was ok. So I wandered on out. (This is what Candi calls "Knocking on Drama's door".) The paramedic-lady said that Laura had called 911 but they couldn't get in, did we know anyone who had a key? (No.) They had to break in the back door. Literally. They also didn't know that the paramedics had been there twice the day before or that she had fallen last Wednesday and Al had knocked on my door asking me to pick her up. She told the 911 operator that she had fallen and hurt her back, but when the paramedics checked her out, they decided she was ok and left her home*.

I went to work Tuesday morning and hoped she was ok. But by Wednesday, when I noticed that her car hadn't appeared to move and it didn't seem as though anyone was visiting her, I knocked on her door. She called from upstairs to come in, so I did.

I don't know Laura well, just enough to say, "Hi" and "What a lovely afternoon it is" in passing, but she was clearly not taking care of herself and I wasn't even sure that she was capable. She was crying and her eyes wouldn't stay open and there was a hole in her back door. I told her I would bring Tater back to fix her door and bring her some chicken and rice for dinner. I did and he did and she threw up. Apparently, not eating for 4 days and then eating my chicken, rice and peas is not good for the stomach. While I was there I also noticed an open bottle of Brut on her nightstand. Whatever. I might need a drink or so after the week she had too! Phyllis came over and we got her next of kin (none) and Al's (2 ancient sisters and a niece in Massachusetts), and a set of keys for each of us. I called the hospital and talked to Nurse Hazel who gave me Al's bedside number so Laura could call him.

But then, things got complicated. Phyllis took her vomit-y clothes home to wash them and found a receipt from the supermarket dated that day at 2:30pm, for $12 worth of champagne. No food, just liquor. That little shit! She told us she hadn't left the house. When I went back to her house later that night, the bottle was gone and I found 4 caps in her trash.

Apparently she's an alcoholic to boot. It explains a few things.

So today it's Friday. Al's niece has called me several times each day since Wednesday (she's concerned about Al, and Laura, and Laura's ability to care for him when he leaves the Rehabilitation Hospital, and Laura's "sobriety". Hmmm. She's called Social Services to evaluate the situation.) , checked on Laura several times a day, and took her to the hospital today. For the last 2 days she has been lucid and bright eyed and more steady on her feet.

I feel good about her being alone now, but I'm not convinced that she shouldn't be in an Assisted Living center. I even asked her about it. She doesn't want to do it. She and Al aren't married and they won't be allowed to live together in a home.

I've done what I can. I'll continue to check on her and keep an eye out for flashing red lights, but I'm glad the week is over and hope that things are returning to what we call "Normal".

*I now believe that she was actually drunk, as she doesn't remember either of the last 2 ambulances coming.