Sunday Field Note 4

20 April 2025 - Emergency Room

Sitting down to dinner on Easter Sunday, an old knee injury screeches to life. I call him and he comes.

I can’t bend my leg, stand, or stop crying. He calls the hospital and figures out what to do.

He answers doctors’ questions when I’m overwhelmed. He takes my child to get something to eat. He pets my head and holds my hand while I’m sprawled out on a bed in the hallway. He adjusts my crutches. He offers to help pay the bill.

When they discharge me at 2am, he takes us home and helps me to bed.