“I’m only going to Oklahoma City.” He said
“That sounds good to me.” I said
“I’d appreciate it if you’ll talk with me to keep me alert.” He said.
“That’s fine with me. Would you prefer it if I keep you talking or for me to tell you interesting stories?” I asked.
“If you could tell me interesting enough stories you could keep me engaged that would be swell!” He said
“Would you like to hear why I have these two tubes sticking out of my nose?” I asked
“Yes, that would probably be an interesting story.” He said
“It sure would be. What would you think if I told you that I had a car roof crash through my nose several inches deep into my cheek bones and through my upper jaw? It broke out teeth and wedged out my hard palette, the roof of my mouth, and sliced into my face below my eyes and my right cheek down to my brain case in back. And part of my face flopped out and down to my chest and the blood flowed out like a fountain. That really happened, and chance conspired to get me to medical help quick enough to get it all reattached well enough that it could be fortified with plastic or with stainless steal so it looks good enough and works almost as well. I could fake it pretty well so it can be smoothed over and closed up with everything except nostrils to breath through. The first two times they cut holes for my nose they just healed shut. That was handled by carving out holes for nostrils and drilling two tiny holes through my plastic septum (that separates the two nostrils). Then they put three and a half inch plastic tubes, with matching two tiny holes in them also matching the two tiny holes in my septum. They put those two tubes up through the nostril holes. Then they wired the tubes up through the septum and in place for six months. Then the holes through the carved scar tissues heal permanently into place so that the plastic tubes can then come out and there will be hard carved nostril holes through the scar tissue and I’ll be able to breath through them permanently.”
“Ta Dah! Now we’re twelve weeks through the six months they will take to become permanent. It’s never been done before that they knew of but the doctors are pretty sure it will work.” I said.
“Is that really true Tom?” said Steve, his name was Steve. And it appears he was interested in my story so far.
“Yes it’s true, Steve. Every word.” I aver.
“It must have been an emotional roller coaster ride for you, Tom!” He insisted.
“Yes, I had to show up every day for work just like everybody else did only I never got any days off; every day I get up and look in the mirror, and looked at myself as a ‘work in progress.” I said.
“Fantastic. It really is.” said Steve.
“I don’t like to complain too much, but I must mention this, my right cheek feels like tingling/painful mud. You could put a finish nail in my right cheek and I wouldn’t feel it much. That part’s not so marvelous, but all in all I’m a lucky man.” I said. “That’s for sure. I know it could be worse. It has been every step along the way. But now, after the tubes come out and I can breathe through my nose, I hope, I’ll be ready to stop and smell the roses.”
“Would you like more gory stories or will a little regular conversation be sufficient to keep you awake and alert enough to drive?” I asked.
“I admire your attitude.” Said Steve.
“I think I’ll be awake and alert enough to drive no matter what we talk about.” Steve said.
“Good,” I said, “because I’m interested in what you do for a living.”
“Me, I’m not interesting. I teach High School Biology.”
“Wow!”I exclaimed “I took Biology for two years in High School. My teacher’s name was Leola Borganson and she was from Edmonton Alberta. (Ms. Borganson was actually named National Science Teacher of the Year in a year subsequent to that, ’69 I think). She made Biology so interesting we insisted she teach a second year of Advanced Biology and she was so devoted to her work she took it on, even though it meant an awfully lot of work on her part to teach a whole new and advanced course because we had a sufficient number of precocious students who wanted it. My class was amongst the biggest classes to ever graduate from a High School in Iowa: Over eight hundred and fifty students. So where I come from being a High School Biology teacher is to a significant group of students and their families a very revered profession. I admire what you do Steve. It’s important!” I insisted. I really meant it and Steve was really affected by it.
“I really got a boost from picking you up Tom.” Steve exclaimed. “If you’re an indication of the possibilities of your generation I’m well placed for the future. Thank you.” he said.
“You have a responsibility to make Biology as you teach it as interesting as Biology is, Steve.” I said. “Miss Borganson was not particularly interesting, Steve. Biology was.”
“Do you have a family?” I asked.
“Only the family I’m from.” said Steve, “My mother and father and two sisters, both younger. No prospective wife either.”
“Being a well known High School Biology Teacher will bring you the respect of many.” I said.
“I’m lonely, really,” admitted Steve.
“I can relate.” I said. “I’m hoping to meet some women in college.”
“College is a good place for making friends.” Steve said.
“It is, I’m sure. Thanks Steve.” I said. “I think being a valuable part of any community makes it a good place for making friends.”