743. Guy in a beanie

54 Replies

743beanie

Keith had to catch the ferry. He hadn’t seen his girlfriend for three days. The ferry crossed from one island to another thrice daily. This time there was a huge line.

No more tickets. All booked out. Come back in the morning. Should have booked earlier. Go away.

The line disintegrated. People grumbled.

Keith pulled a beanie hard down over his ears. He hunched his back and looked forlorn. He went to the ticket office.

“Chemotherapy,” he lied, pointing to his head. They gave him a ticket.

The boat sank.

Listen the story being read HERE!

54 thoughts on “743. Guy in a beanie”

      1. Cynthia Jobin

        The people who gave Keith the ticket are also complicit in this. There are such things as sufferings that are visual and obvious, and others that are not….there are even politically correct ailments and ailments that garner no sympathy whatever. That’s why I say chemotherapy is a magic word…at least nowadays.

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        1. Bruce Goodman Post author

          Yes – it’s a word that creates both fear and sympathy – and a process that can also gather health! My living-nearby sister began treatment with it just on nearly 5 weeks ago. They are hoping and thinking they found things early enough. She finishes treatment next Wednesday.

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          1. Cynthia Jobin

            After a serious abdominal surgery for a stage 2 cancer, four years ago, I refused chemotherapy— in spite of the urgings of surgeon and oncologists. When at the Cancer Center, I was overwhelmed with how much like a religious cult all of that has become, and decided, after much thought, (once again!) to take my chances as a heretic. Were I younger, I may have made a different decision; I don’t know. Anyway, I hope your dear sister comes out of it all in good health and lives long and well….someone has to keep you on the straight and narrow!

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            1. Bruce Goodman Post author

              Thank you – and goodness. I have 3 friends in life – in fact 2 cousins and a friend – all deceased, who refused chemo SECOND time around… they’re all gone now, but each said it was a liberating thing to make a decision against having it!

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              1. wolfberryknits

                Every time I go to hospital for a check up with my autoimmune stuff they want to palm me off with chemo drugs…every time I say no, and they roll their eyes at me like I’m being difficult. Disempowerment at its most basic level. My lovely M had chemo for cancer (Hodgkins Lymphoma) and it saved him but he would not have it again either. Best wishes to your sister. Ps in knitting terms I would call that a slouch beanie 🙂

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                1. Bruce Goodman Post author

                  Thanks for the C. comments Bianca. I think the most important aspect of this story – in knitting terms – is that the beanie, slouch beanie, stocking cap, is not knitted out of shrinkable wool! 🙂

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  6. arlingwoman

    Alright, Bruce. Since when is a stocking cap a beanie? Is this another linguistic thing with American English? Ferries are notorious for being overloaded, sinking and killing all passengers. I thought about that today when I didn’t get on a subway train with two dark cars stuffed with people–and people crowding to get on. Aaaiieee!

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      2. Cynthia Jobin

        That cap in the photo is quite like the ones which are called beanies in chemo circles. It’s not, however the type of beanie which Bruce would wear, you know, more like a yarmulke with a propeller on top….. 🙂

        Liked by 5 people

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            1. Bruce Goodman Post author

              I’m a terrible reader. I’ve just pretended to have read my next door neighbour’s novel – over a period of six weeks – I sit down at the computer working 12 hours a day, and the thought of sitting and reading after that is… is… unappealing. But I shall google the writer…. thanks.

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