Michelle

"Do you girls know where your mother is?" I asked.

"We just got home, but it is funny she isn't here. Do you think she ran off with the mailman, Dad?" grinned Becky. "Wait, it's Sunday and there wasn't any mail. Not to worry!"

As Becky finished speaking, the phone rang. She answered it, and immediately became quite serious. She answered "yes" three times, listened another minute and then hung up.

"Mom is at Wilson General," gasped Becky. "She just came out of surgery!"

We all rushed out the door and piled into the car. The ten-minute drive was consumed with fear and speculation about Michelle's health. Becky had been told what room Michelle was in and we rushed to it as soon as we reached the hospital.

The girls went into the room, but an older, very stern nurse stopped me with a question.

"Are you Mr. Swenson? Or possibly Ringo Starr?"

"I'm Eric Swenson, but thanks for the guess. What happened to my wife?" I demanded.

"I am sure you are aware your wife has been troubled with hemorrhoids for some time, Mr. Swenson. It isn't too uncommon for women to develop after having children. She came in a few hours ago with some serious bleeding, and related problems. She was taken to the O.R. immediately. She is doing much better now and should be able to go home in a day or two," concluded the nurse.

I nodded gravely in understanding. The nurse started down the hall and I stepped into a nearby Men's Room. Later, I would wonder if my laughter had echoed down the corridor.