MOUNT SINAI – EAST HARLEM
On arrival at Mount Sinai, the two friends were led directly to the emergency room. They didn’t have to wait. They explained the problem to a kindly, capable black nurse. She asked a few questions and then inquired if Jon had valid health insurance. She assigned a bed to Jonathan, put him on a drip, took a blood sample and finally checked his blood pressure.
Dan who was away during Jon’s medical check-up, came back and told him:
– I’m sorry, unfortunately I cannot stay longer. I just called your brother and he’s asked you to call him tomorrow morning.
– If I’m in a fit state to do so; who knows what will happen during the night…
– Don’t worry, everything will be just fine. This is an excellent hospital. You’re in the best hands in the country. I bought a book this morning from a store not far from here. I’ll leave it with you, to pass the time.
Now Jon was alone, lying on his hospital bed, fretting about what might happen next. He felt a certain bitterness, a feeling of being abandoned and a sudden intense dread of dying alone. He had never imagined that he could pass away so young. Could it be that his life ends like this, fizzling out… without having achieved anything? His passage on Earth would be as meaningless and ridiculous as that of a cockroach crushed underfoot. He looked at the book Dan had given him. It was about mysticism: “The Power of Kabbalah”. He opened it and read the first page. It mentioned the flame, the energy that sustains life. He realized that his own flame was slowly fading away, due to so many disappointments, despite him having seized all the opportunities that life presented to him. “Life is a bitch” would be the title of his book if he were to write a story at that moment.
The nurse came back with the results of the preliminary tests.
– Excuse me for asking this, but, do you happen to eat sometimes?
– Why are you asking?
– You have almost no potassium in your blood. We’re going to have to put you in intensive care. You have all the signs of a heart attack. The doctor will come to examine you shortly. Ah, here he comes!
He was a young, good looking, dark-haired doctor of medium height, with round glasses.
– Hello Jonathan, are you insured?
– Yes, and I am Canadian.
– OK, we’ll keep you under medical observation tonight and then tomorrow morning, we’ll carry out further tests: MRI and cardiovascular tests. Alright?
– OK, thank you.
The night seemed interminable. “Will I get a massive heart attack?” Fearful thoughts and images ran through his head. He did not even have the strength to continue reading the book, so much anxiety engulfed him. He weighed every minute of this long, uncomfortable night. The bitterness was such that his eyes remained dry; even his own mother, busy with her mundane activities, would not show up, he thought miserably.
Finally, a new day dawned. Nurses and doctors entered the room. He did an MRI, a scan and a stress test. Around noon, a young red-haired doctor came in and told him in a very soft voice that although he seemed to have had all the symptoms of a heart attack, his heart was in perfect condition. A miracle! He asked Jonathan to arrange a follow-up appointment with a heart physician on his return to Canada. In the meantime, he prescribed 75mg aspirins to take daily. On discharge, Jonathan gave a false address, just as his brother had advised.
Outside the hospital, the buzz in the street reassured him: “Life goes on”, he mused. He took the subway towards New Jersey. His cell phone rang and rang but he didn’t pick up. When he finally checked it, he saw that it was Francis. On the train, he mulled over the advice given by the nice red-haired doctor, “On your return to Canada…”. Had he just been given the answer to his problems? A way to put an end to the incessant stress? He observed his fellow passengers; they all seemed nervous, restless, somewhat aggressive, busy and determined. He felt as though he were the only dolphin in an aquarium full of circling sharks.
NEW JERSEY
On arrival at his brother’s house, his sister-in-law welcomed him with a big hug. Could he look after Rachel for the rest of the day so she could have some free time to spend alone on the other side of the Hudson River? Fifteen minutes later, and she had already made her escape.
He was all alone with the fractious toddler. He took her into his arms and she immediately relaxed. His phone rang. Again, it was a call from Francis. In spite of feeling very sleepy he decided not to procrastinate. Talking to his manager felt to him like an unpleasant chore he must get out of the way as quickly as possible.
– So, what’s going on? Are you quitting?
– No, I’ve just been ill.
– What’s wrong?
– I had an attack of angina pectoris and spent the night in hospital.
There was a long silence, followed by a deep sigh on the other end of the line.
– Jon, I’ll be straight with you. I don’t think you are suited to this position.
– I couldn’t agree more.
– Well, glad we agree on that!
– When can I come by to collect my salary?
– What salary? You failed to achieve the set goals.
– I’ve worked for more than two months, and made a significant contribution to the restructuring of the flat sharing service.
– Sorry, without an H1B visa I am afraid we cannot pay you. There was nothing our lawyer could do to help with this.
He hung up before Jonathan had time to reply.
“A rotten world”, he thought miserably, but his exhaustion was such that his thoughts went no further. Knackered, he dropped onto the bed, with little Rachel now sleeping peacefully in his arms. He immediately dived into the unconscious world. The world of healing sleep and sweet dreams was the best place to be right now.
***
He felt small hands on his face. He struggled to open his eyes and wondered where he was. Rachel was tugging at his nose and ears. He felt very tired but the baby girl’s smiling face gave him some comfort. He smiled back at her. At the same time, he heard the front door slam and soft footsteps on the wooden floor. It was his brother.
– Hi Jon, how are you doing?
– Hi Dave, I’ve just got fired from my job.
– I am truly sorry to hear that, but between us, it’s really a blessing in disguise. You are simply not made for New York. You’re far too gentle for this city.
– Oh really?
– Intact.
– How’s your heart?
– What a relief! Did you give a false address as I told you to?
– Yes, I did.
– Will you return to Canada?
Jonathan looked at his phone. He hadn’t received a single call since the last one from Francis. Not even Gabriel. He responded to David with a sigh.
– I don’t know yet.
***
