All I Can Do .........

Since I had the conversation with Murph I've been staying close to home. If Doyle had nothing to do with the "NOW" disc, who did? At first, I was thinking it might be Jones trying to motivate me but one night I realized that there was someone else in this game - a forgotten player - Gordon. I spent the rest of the night turning that over and over in my head.  Gordon wanted me back too although I don't know his reasons. it did made a strange sort of sense though. 

I spent most of the next few days staying close to home trying to figure things out but got nowhere. Then I  had places I needed to be and put the problem on hold.

Wednesday the 9th, I had a 9:45 appointment with my dermatologist. I had the time so I took the long way and came across this guy. 

I thought I could see a mask so I passed on. At the dermatologist's, the recent removal site looked good but the previous one was infected. I got several shots of lidocaine before he sliced it open. Then a bandage, some ointment, and a follow up in January.

Friday the 11th, I had a 2:00 with my gastroenterologist. I've been having some issues lately and he wound up scheduling a colonoscopy for the 17th. I had a Covid test taken with results due before the procedure.

The weekend was quiet and I ran whatever errands I had quickly.

Wednesday the 16th, I drove down to RWJ New Brunswick. I had blood work scheduled for 8 AM and a visit with the cardiologist for 9. Things went quickly and I was in my car just leaving the parking garage when the phone rang. The Covid test was negative but the colonoscopy was being rescheduled for the 29th due to the pending snow storm. I would also have to redo the Covid test on the 24th. I also got a call later from the cardiologist because my tach level was low and I should increase the dose of a particular immunosuppressant then go back for more blood work on the 22nd.

This time the weather people got it right. we got about 6 inches that night and I stayed in the next day.

Friday the 18th, the sidewalks had been shoveled and the plows had gone through several times. I went out and checked on my car. she was plowed in tight and it felt like all ice. I cleaned her off anyway and then walked to the nearby Walgreens. On the way, I saw this. shovel.

I decided to wait a few days before digging out.

By Sunday, it had warmed up and a lot of the ice had melted. I went back out to the car with my shovel but stopped.

The guy behind me had pulled out and I was able to back out from where I was then park across the street.

What I thought was going to take a long time and a lot of effort turned out to be really easy. Sometimes you get lucky.

On the 22nd, I went back down to RWJ for the follow-up blood work. The door connecting the parking lot to the building was closed and I had to walk outside and use the front entrance.

They were expecting me so I was in and out quickly.

Today I went back for the second Covid test. They use a spit test rather then the nose swab which isn't as uncomfortable but takes me longer because of the dry-mouth condition that I deal with.  On the way out of the lot  I stopped before leaving because I got a call from my cardiologist. My level was good now but they're concerned about my blood pressure and cholesterol. They called in a couple of scrips to my pharmacy and set me up for another follow up blood test in January.

As I sat there listening to this, I noticed this guy heading towards me.

No mask but we were out in the open and I couldn't do anything.

I drove home.

Tomorrow is Christmas and I'll be with family and try to forget the stuff I'm going to have to deal with starting next week. I'll take them as they come and I'll cope with them. 

It's all I can do.

Now ...... What?

 I puzzled over the small, bronze-colored "NOW" disk that I got - I assumed - from Doyle for a few days but I had appointments to keep and errands to run. I decided to put it into the fob pocket on my jeans and carry it with me. I don't know why but I figured why not?

Thursday, October 29th, I had an appointment at my ENT's office for a Hearing Test. I knew what the outcome would be - I have a partial loss in my left ear so I overcompensate with my right. I went anyway. You never know. It was raining on and off, heavily at times, but I got a good spot in the back lot close to the door. On my way in, I noticed these window ornaments on both sides - 

Frogs. Perfect decorations for the weather. I got the expected results and, since I was in Edison and close by, I swung by Stop N Shop. They had the Shepard's Pie that I like so it was worth the detour.

Saturday the 31st was Halloween. It was sunny out, but pretty cold. On my way to my car I picked up this little beauty from off the curb.

How it got there and why it was with a rose I don't know but I think they look pretty cool together and, after all, it was Halloween. 

Sunday was the 1st of November and it was raining again. I was up early so I went to the 7:30 Mass. Afterwards, I stopped at Shoprite to get the paper and some other stuff. When I got back into my car, the lights on the white SUV across from me came on then blinked several times. 

I waited. Someone got out and walked over to me.

Wells.

He had a mask on but no hat and the rain was running down both sides of his face. He didn't seem to notice. I pulled up my mask and opened the window enough so we could hear each other.

"Wells! Good to see you. Looks like you've survived the Covid virus."

"Thank you, Mr. O'Neill. It was a rough couple of weeks but I've tested negative every day for the last week."

"Every day?"

"Yes. Department Regulations. Everyone gets tested daily."

"Even Jones?"

"Mr. Jones does not confide in me about his daily routine. He has, however, instructed me to tell you that he's glad to know that you are doing better and would like to know what you plan on doing ... now."

I was sort of expecting something like this but Wells' emphasis on "now" caught me off-guard. I could feel the brass coin in my pocket. I had to say something. 

"He'll be the first to know."

Then I grinned at him and shut the window. Wells didn't react but stared at me for a minute or two. Then he nodded, turned around, and walked back to his car.

Why did he say it like that? Was he trying to tell me something? Was I reading too much into this? I don't know and I wasn't gonna figure it out sitting here in the car. I drove home, ate breakfast, and read the Sunday paper.

The days were pretty similar for the next couple of weeks. I had no appointments to go to but I continued to go out every morning. The weather was still unsettled with rain on and off, mostly in the mornings. I was usually out in it and would get back as it cleared up.

The township continued on with it's business as usual regardless. From street sweeping - 

- to watering the plants on Main Street -

People continued to disregard the rules, walking around without masks - 

- or wearing them below their mouths like the guy I saw collecting for some charity by Wegmans - 

Wednesday the 18th, I had a follow-up at 9:30 with my Dermatologist. While I was warming up my car I saw this guy

Another one of those strange people that every neighborhood has. I could see a weird kind of mask hanging from around his neck. At least, I thought it was a mask. 

The doctor took one look at the spot on my face where he'd removed a cancerous growth and said it was infected - which is what I suspected. He sent a scrip for an antibiotic to my Pharmacist and scheduled another follow -up in 3 weeks.

Tuesday the 24rd started out with a bright, sunny morning. It was a personal Anniversary for me - the 12th year since I'd received my new heart - the heart that got me into this whole situation. I got some congratulatory calls/emails/texts which were appreciated but there was no plan for a celebration. Wanting to do something, I got in my car and just drove around. I wound up at my local Church and decided to stop in. 

I felt good driving home.

Thursday the 26th was Thanksgiving Day. Usually I travel with my NJ family to get together with our NY family somewhere. Not this year. We kept it local and we kept it small. And it was good.

Today is Saturday and I slept in slightly. I was still out by 8:30 and stopped at my local Dunkin's as usual. There were 2 older guys sitting maskless at a small table outside, chatting and drinking coffee. I picked up my iced coffee and bought a Coffee Roll to eat in the car. When I came out, I could clearly hear the 2 guys talking about the new Rain Garden being built by the Main Library.

I bought a few things at a few places then stopped at ShopRite to finish up. I even found something else to give to my Granddaughter for Christmas. Feeling good about that, I got back to my car and decided to check out that Rain Garden I'd heard about, made the turn towards the Library, and parked in their Lot. 

To be honest, there isn't much there yet, just a dredged out section of the slope leading down to the High School Parking Lot. It's covered by some kind of netting which, I think, is supposed to keep the seeds from washing away. What is there is an interesting Butterfly Statue that I wanted to get a closer look at. I turned the car off, got out, and made my way down the slope. It was slow going because of the slippery, muddy ground.

It's very colorful and covered by what appears to be recyclable material. Very apropos I thought. As I was turning to walk back up, a voice called out from the Lot.

"Be careful where you're walking, Mr. O'Neill. It looks pretty tricky."

I looked up and saw an older man standing by my car. He was one of those guys I'd seen at Dunkin's earlier. He seemed a bit nervous.

"Do I know you?" I called back.

"No. But we have a mutual friend who asked me to look out for you."

"Who?"

"Doyle."

"Doyle? You know Doyle?"

"Yeah. We used to work together. That was a long time ago."

I had reached the Lot by now and saw that he was pretty imposing looking though definitely older then me.

"You worked with Doyle in the DHS?"

"No. I retired before that happened. I knew him when we were Feds together." He paused, lowered his head, nodded to himself, and spoke again.

"He sent me a package with a letter asking me to keep track of you and make sure you were alright."

"I don't understand. A package? Keep track of me?"

He smiled. "Yeah. He sent me a hand-held unit so I could monitor your implant. That Tracker thing. I figured why not. It wasn't like I had to interfere with whatever you do. Looks like I was wrong."

"You were one of those guys outside of Dunkin's this morning, weren't you? That wasn't just a coincidence, was it?"

"No. I was pretty sure you'd be there, if not today then tomorrow or the next day. I was willing to go back until you showed up." 

"Why?'

'Doyle called me Friday and wanted me to give you a message." He paused again, looking skeptical.

"What? what was the message?"

"Well, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me but he specifically said "Tell him I didn't send anything. I didn't send 'NOW'. Does that make any sense to you?"

It was my turn to pause and I leaned against my car, pulling the brass coin from my pocket. He'd said "I didn't send 'NOW'." But who did? And Why?  Too many questions and no answers. I looked back at the man. 

"No, it doesn't make sense but I understand what he's referring to. Thanks Mr. .. I'm sorry, I don't know your name."

"You can call me Murph. Everybody does." He said with a smile.

I smiled back. "OK then. Thanks, Murph. So - what happens now?"

"I continue to keep my eye on the monitor, I owe Doyle that much. And I'll try to stay out of your way."

"Thanks. Is there a way for you to get in touch with Doyle?"

"No. It looks like he used a drop phone. I'm in the dark there."

'How about a way for me to get in touch with you?"

Hw thought that over for a bit. "I think, for now, I'll keep my distance. I don't like getting involved with things I don't know anything about. Fact is, I'm not too happy about being here now but, like I said, I owe Doyle."

He sort of shook himself as if he were cold, adjusted his cap, mask, and coat and looked towards the High School. He waved and I heard a car start up. That's when I noticed that mine was the only one in this Lot.

"Time for me to go, Mr. O'Neill. Take care of yourself." 

"Denny. Call me Denny."

"Denny it is then." He said with a quick laugh. 'See you when I see you." He tipped his cap slightly, turned, and walked down to the waiting car.

I watched him as he got in and drove away. It was starting to cloud over. An apt simile for what was happening to me, I thought. I looked at the coin, turning it over and over in my hand. I believed what Murph said. Doyle didn't send this. But if he didn't, then who did? And how did he know about it? And was Wells' reference to the word "now" the other day some kind of hint. Did he know what this was all about? I didn't know and I didn't know how to find out.

All I can think about is NOW ... What?

 NOW ..............

I'd slept well for the first time in weeks and on Monday the 28th I started to drive down to New Brunswick. I had a Covid Test scheduled for 8AM prior to a medical procedure on Wednesday. I didn't get far. The police were out early redirecting traffic to accommodate the construction going on all over Woodbridge.

I had to take a less direct route but managed to get back to Main Street near Amboy Avenue and had a straight run from there. It was a Drive-through in the parking lot of the closed school across from the hospital. I found it easily enough and pulled in. No one was ahead of me. The nurse asked me the usual questions then handed me the nasal swab to do myself, which was interesting. I was in and out quickly, no pun intended, then drove home.

Tuesday the 29th I went to my 9:00 Therapy session at JFK in Edison. Afterwards, I headed down James Street to my 10:00 appointment with my Dermatologist. It's less then 5 minutes but I had to wait in my car until they called me. I finally got around to fixing the minutes on the clock in my car.

Of course, I'm gonna have to do the hour in a few days.

Wednesday the 30th my ex-wife drove me down to RWJ in New Brunswick for the medical procedure I mentioned - a Heart Catheterization. She dropped me off at 8:15 AM and picked me up around 7:30 PM. The procedure only took about 1/2 an hour. The rest of the time I spent on my back waiting for them to decide when the opening they made into one of the arteries in my groin was healed. At least they let me pick from a menu for dinner.

October started quietly. I went out every day to run errands and ordered all my Christmas presents online.

The 6th was a Tuesday and I drove to my weekly 9:00 Therapy session. I was planning on getting there early and eating breakfast in the car. That didn't happen. As I made the turn onto James Street this guy pulled out from a local parking lot. 

What should've taken 10 minutes turned into 20. I got there on time but breakfast had to wait.

There were only a couple of other appointments on my calendar and they were pretty well spread out over the rest of the month. Regardless of the weather, I went out. I used to like just staying home but now I needed to get out. Mask on and socially distanced, I needed to get out.

Friday the 9th, I stopped by my local Church. 

I said a few prayers and lit a candle. I figured it couldn't hurt.

While driving around on Monday I passed this guy.

Another person out without a mask. I kept driving. I was tempted but I didn't.

Tuesday I took Rahway to Main on my way to Therapy. I had a few bills to mail and I prefer to drop them off at the Post Office. There have been instances of "fishing" in the area and I didn't want to take any chances. As I passed the construction going on where the strip mall with my favorite bagel place was I noticed this woman.

I've seen her on and off over the years. I understand that she's homeless and has taken up staying on this bench which is diagonally across from the Municipal Building where the Police Station is. She's supposed to be harmless but I've also heard that she can be nasty. As I passed, I noticed that she was wearing a mask. I dropped off my bills and went to Therapy.

The next day I had an appointment with my ENT at 11:20. I thought that my earache was back. He checked me out, including scoping my throat, and said that there was no sign of an infection and he said that it could be TMD. He asked me to get a CT scan of my neck and to come back for a Hearing Test. I was able to schedule the scan for the next day at 9:30.

Thursday the 15th,I drove up to RWJ in Rahway for the scan. It was a nice, sunny morning but when I parked in the lot I noticed this woman.

It looked like she had all of her possessions in the cart. I couldn't help noticing that she was wearing a mask just like the woman on Main Street the other day.

Things were pretty quiet, again, for the next several days but the weather changed - it was getting cooler and clouding over.

My Therapy session was cancelled for Tuesday the 20th but I did have a follow-up with the Dermatologist. I took the back roads to get there and, at one point, saw this woman coming in my direction.

Again, no mask. But the area was too wide open.

Friday the 23rd, I was on my way up to the Library. I don't have a printer at home so I go there to use theirs. I stopped at the light at Richie Sambora Way and saw this guy.

I've seen him before also. I call him the Umbrella Man because he's always carrying one. And he had a mask, too. I wondered why those people I saw who are without had masks and those that are  "with" don't. 

I went to Mass on Sunday the 25th. I hadn't been there in months and it was interesting. The pews were marked where people could sit and the Priest and Deacon went around with Communion. They didn't have Altar Servers but they did have a small choir which was nice. On my way back home I was on Main Street when I had to stop.

That homeless woman was up and moving. "Good for her" I thought although I had no idea where she was going.

The new Managers for my building have been making some big changes to the structure since they bought it, most of which I haven't had a problem with. But when I came home yesterday after being out for several hours I was met with this.

They're replacing the flooring and steps in the vestibule and I had to carry my bags up a board to get in. I felt like a tightrope walker.

They worked all night and when I left to go to my last Therapy session this morning they'd made great progress.

The board was gone by the time I got home.

I went back out around 5:00 to check my mail. I got 2 bills, 2 pieces that don't belong to me (if the

mailman doesn't recognize the addressee he leaves it in my box. 9 times out of 10 I throw it away), and a blank envelop. No name, no address, no stamp. I don't know how it got in my box but I could feel that there was something in it. I opened it and found this.

A small coin taped to an index card. The word "NOW" is stamped into it. The only other marking was the letter "D" written on the back.

"D"?

Doyle?

I didn't know. And I don't know what it means. Is he warning me about something? Is there something he wants me to do? Is there something I missed that I should be doing?

I don't know. All I know is that it must mean something. Whatever it is it's ...

NOW.

 Smell The Roses ......

By Saturday the 19th I was pretty stressed out. I felt like every doctor I deal with had something worrying to say or something they wanted me to do. I needed a break and, since the Covid test and catheterization had been postponed for a week, I was about to get one.

Tuesday the 22nd I had a Swallow Therapy session that went well. We agreed, again, to cancel the Friday session and meet up the following Tuesday. I now had 5 days to myself, unless something popped up unexpectedly. I called my Cardiologist's office and asked when I should get the flu shot. I usually wait until the end of October but I was concerned about the current situation. They said the sooner the better.

Wednesday, I headed out to get my shot and, on a whim, decided to swing by my barber. 

I just wanted to see if they were still taking reservations but I saw the Early man sitting at the desk. I parked, put on my mask, and walked in. He took me right away and I was done in 20 minutes. Feeling good, I drove to my Pharmacy and got the flu shot without a problem.

Thursday was pretty quiet but I did get some interesting mail.

Besides the invoice for my October rent I got my Mail-in Ballot for the upcoming Presidential Election. I wasn't going to mail it back but intended to wait until the Ballot Drop-box was put up in front of City Hall.

Friday I was out running errands and decided to swing by the Municipal Building.

The Ballot Box was out already.

Saturday I drove up early to drop off my Ballot. I knew there was a Farmer's Market that uses the Parking Lot on Saturdays so I wanted to get there before they opened at 9. I got a space and cast my vote. Walking back to my car I noticed this.

I didn't know that there was a Rain Garden there even though I'd passed by several days a week. It made me wonder what else I'd missed seeing in my own neighborhood.

This morning, I set out to drive around and see what was out there. I drove up Rahway Avenue and stopped at the Barron's Art Center, pulling into their lot.

They have this great, bronze statue of a Native American that I'd never really looked at before.

I turned onto Freeman Street and pulled over on the right.

There's a very well preserved, house that someone actually lives in that dates back to 1685. The house itself is pretty non-descript but they do have one of these outside.

If I'd had a horse I would've tied up here. A little further up Freeman I pulled over on the left to get a better view of this.

It was a small Lion's Head Water Fountain outside of a wall surrounding a house. It was badly overgrown but I was impressed by how good it looked.

I drove around for another hour or so and found several other Historical Markers and architectural features that I thought were interesting including one outside of the Knights of Columbus building on the corner of Main Street and Amboy Avenue. I had no idea that George Washington had ever been to Woodbridge.

On my way back home I was on Linden Avenue when I saw this and had to pull over.

I had heard about these Free Libraries that people put out in front of their own homes but I'd never seen one before. It made me realize that there really were good people in the world, some of whom live by me.

Back at home I was feeling relaxed. I know what was coming up next week but it didn't worry me anymore. I think that there's a real benefit in the old saying. 

From now on I will make the time to stop and smell the roses.

 It Wasn't Going To  Last ...........

August ended well and September started out promising. I was enjoying driving again and I had very few doctor's appointments. I was feeling good but I should've known it wouldn't last.

Friday, August 28th, I had my first Swallow Therapy session at JFK Rehabilitation Center in Edison. It's a short drive and the parking was free. The session was half an hour and I could actually feel a slight improvement. I headed home listening to the radio when I came up to this.

Road work. The bane of every driver in New Jersey. Fortunately I wasn't going that way. I made the left.

Tuesday, September 1st, I left my house early to go to Shoprite before my Therapy session. I knew they were working on the construction site across the street and that police were always assigned to watch. This cop seemed to be uninterested in what was going on and was on his phone.

I've always thought that cops assigned to these sites was a waste of money. Useless, I thought, as I turned right.

I picked up a few things in Shoprite and got back in my car. 

It wouldn't start.

I tried it a few more times and I could hear her cranking but she didn't kick over. Thankfully, a cop had just finished shopping and came over to help. He got it started for me. I figured they weren't all useless. I cancelled my therapy and took the car to my mechanic. He called me later that afternoon to say he couldn't find anything wrong.

I picked up the car the next morning (no charge but I gave him $20) and started out to run some errands. It wasn't long before I started having problems again. She stalled out, which annoyed me, and I headed back to the mechanic. She stalled out twice more before she died completely on West James Street. I had to call AAA.

The mechanic called me later in the day. The Distributer needed to be replaced and it would cost about $400. I needed the car so I agreed.

I picked up the car the next morning again.

He told me I was going to need rear tires.

Everything was working well until Sunday the 6th. One of the dashboard lights came on.

I didn't know what it meant but I did know the mechanic was closed until Tuesday because it was Labor Day weekend.

Turned out I couldn't take her back on Tuesday because I had Therapy that morning at 9 and I'd already cancelled one session. Plus, I had a follow-up with the Dermatologist at 2. Therapy went well and I went home to have lunch. On the way to the Dermatologist I saw this guy.

.

We were the only ones around and I don't like bicyclists but he was walking his and he had a mask. I drove past.

I went to the mechanic the next day and he took a look at it. He said it was the exhaust system and a catalytic converter would be expensive. For now, he turned off the light and said to come back before the Registration was up and he'd turn it back on.

That Friday the 11th I had an appointment with my ENT. My ear had been bothering me again and I thought I should take care of it. It was at 10:15 so I drove there straight after my Therapy session. Turned out to be another ear ache. He explained that because I have a deviated septum I was very susceptible. He had a prescription for an antibiotic called in to my pharmacy.

I headed up to pick up the med the next morning and came up behind this woman.

She didn't have a mask but I recognized her. She's a Librarian in the Main Branch nearby. Besides, I thought, she probably has a mask in her bag. I drove on.

Monday the 14th my ex-wife drove me down to RWJ in New Brunswick for my annual Nuclear Stress Test and Echocardiogram. She didn't stay because the tests take about 4 hours. She dropped me off at 7:40 and I called her that I was done at 1:10. Later that afternoon I got a call from my Cardiologist. A part of my heart wasn't getting enough oxygen so they were going to set up a Catheterization to see what the problem is. Also, there was an indication that I might have some form of pneumonia in my lungs and would be contacting my Pulmonologist.

Tuesday the 15th I went to my Therapy session. The Tech said I was doing good so we cancelled Fridays.

Wednesday the 16th I drove back down to RWJ for blood work. I was in and out quickly and drove home. I was looking forward to nothing on my schedule for the rest of the week. That didn't last long. I got a call from my Primary who'd heard from my Cardiologist regarding my lungs. She insisted that I see the him as soon as possible so I managed to get an appointment for the next day at 11:15. A hour or so later I got a call from the Cardiologist that the catheterization was scheduled for Wednesday the 23rd at 9. Then I got another call from them. I need to have a Covid test before the procedure so we agreed on Monday the 21st at 8. It's a drive-thru so it won't take long. Still ...

Things were starting to pile up.

Thursday morning I had some time to kill so I did my wash, stopped at Shoprite, and had breakfast. I was at the Pulmonologist about 1/2 a hour early. He was worried about the test results and called in a favor setting me up for a CT scan of my chest for the next day. He couldn't get a specific time so recommended that I get there early.

I got to the Outpatient Center at JFK at 7:45 expecting to wait a while since I didn't have a specific time. I was lucky and was taken in around 8:50. The scan didn't take long and I waited for the film disc to take to the Pulmonologist. I dropped it off and when I got back to my car I saw this guy.

He was watching me as I got in and grinned when he saw that I noticed him. It wasn't Kellerman but was probably another one of Jones' flunkies. 

That afternoon I heard from the Pulmonologist. He's concerned about the spots he sees on the film and said I should postpone the procedures by a week while I take a stronger antibiotic that he prescribed. I rescheduled both the Catherization and the Covid test by a week.

Today I drove up to my Pharmacy and picked up the antibiotic. I stopped at Dunkin's and bought a medium iced decaf French Vanilla coffee and a Veggie Omelet sandwich. I was looking forward to a few days of nothing on my schedule. Again. But I knew ... 

it wasn't going to last.

 Public Service ....

Now that I was driving again - and having started to use the Flasher again - I found myself with a new mission. People who are out in public without a face mask pose a health risk to everyone else. Especially to me and my family. Somehow this seemed selfish to me. Fortunately, I had a way to deal with it.

Monday the 17th, I stopped at the Quick Check on Main Street to get a cup of ice. I needed it to make the iced coffee I'd left in the car colder. When I pulled in I saw these folks.

I figured that 2 of them were employees and the 3rd was a migrant worker waiting to get picked up. None of them had masks on. I didn't stop.

Wednesday the 19th I was out early and noticed these 2 cars.

They were in a yellow zone so they were parked illegally. In fact, the SUV has been parked in that area for at least the last week. Normally I wouldn't bother but they were now  blocking my view of oncoming traffic when I pulled out. I looked around. No one.

Pont, Press, Flash.

Hopefully, I got both of them. At least I knew the SUV wouldn't start. I got in my car and took the long way to Amboy Avenue.

Thursday the 20th I had the appointment for a Swallow Test at 8 AM in the JFK Rehabilitation Facility.

A staff member met me at the door and took my temperature. He gave me one of those blue surgical masks because cloth ones like I was wearing weren't allowed. The Tech asked me a bunch of questions then had me sample various foods/beverages. After she saw my reactions she recommended that I have a Barium Swallow Test which would actually let them use x-rays to see what was happening. I already had a scrip for it (because my Pulmonologist knew what would probably happen) and we scheduled it for the next day.

Friday the 21st I went back to JFK for the new test. After some more food/beverage samples that were treated with Barium the new Tech recommended that I set up an appointment with an on-staff Therapist. 

Saturday the 22nd, just as I started the car up I saw this  guy.

No mask but no  opportunity. I went ahead with my errands.

Monday the 24th I stopped at Dunkin's for a fresh iced coffee and saw this.

They were taking up way too much space which has always annoyed me. I looked but I was alone.

Point, press, Flash.

I went in to get my coffee and saw  2 guys I assumed were from the truck just getting their food. When I got back to my car, the guys were trying to get the truck to start. I got in and drove away.

That afternoon, I went back to the Dermatologist and he removed the cancerous growth from my jawline. He's done this sort of procedure for me so often that I knew what I'd have to do when I got home.

Yesterday I was out early. I hadn't slept well but I had things to do. I made a food run, stopping at Shoprite, Fresh Grocer, and Stop & Shop. I picked up a few things and headed down to my Pulmonologist's. He was supposed to leave a scrip for me so that I could schedule the Evaluation. The easy way there was closed due to road work and I had to take some back roads. Along the way I saw this guy coming towards me.

No mask. I was already aggravated so I closed the gap.

Point, Press, Flash.

I picked up the scrip and made the appointment for today.

This morning I drove back to JFK for my 9:30 appointment. Again, very helpful people who explained things to me and then ran a few tests. I was given some exercises to do and we set up a schedule for visits - every Tuesday and Friday at 9 AM for the next 5 weeks.

As I was leaving I realized that I hadn't taken my Zyrtec and my allergies were kicking in big time. I stopped at the nearest place - Target - and wound up buying their version which was $20 cheaper and had more pills. As I was getting back in my car I noticed this guy getting out of his.

I didn't pay any attention until I heard ..

"Mr. O'Neill please turn off your car."

I looked at the guy again. A bit on the heavy side but with a nice suit, crewcut, and holding hisbadge out in front of him. I'd seem similar ones before. DHS. I didn't turn the car off but I did lower the window.

"Yes?

"I'm S. A. Kellerman and I was sent to tell you that Mr. Jones is pleased that you've decided to rejoin the program."

I waited a couple of minutes but he didn't add anything to his statement.

"OK. Thanks for that, Kellerman...Wait ... Where's Wells? He's the one who usually brings me Jones' messages?" 

"I've been told that he's in Quarantine, having been exposed to the Virus." He put his badge back in his jacket and turned to go back. I took a chance.

"What do you know about S. A. C. Doyle?"

He stopped then turned to me. "Who? I don't think I know that name."

I shrugged and said,  "Never mind." Then rolled up my window. He walked away.

As I drove home I smiled to myself. Jones thinks I'm doing things for him but I have a different motive.

I consider what I'm doing a Public Service.