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.

Do What They Want ...... 

Being in my own apartment on my own again  and doing what I want to do is great but there is a catch. I wasn't allowed to drive yet - the Physical Trainer and Visiting Nurse have to sign off first. Still, there are a few places I could walk to.

The last week in July, I started by walking to my local Walgreen's.

It's down on the next corner and across the street and I take my time getting there. I would pick up the paper, maybe a snack or two, and whatever over-the-counter med I needed.

The Physical Trainer came by on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, signing off on her involvement at her last visit. The Visiting Nurse came by on Wednesday but wanted another session the following week so I still couldn't drive.

I still had to rely on my ex-wife to drive my to my doctor appointments and so I could do whatever shopping I needed to get done.

Saturday the 25th, we drove to my ENT in Edison for a follow-up. My ear infection was gone.

Tuesday the 28th, we drove to the Radiologist's in Rahway. He checked me out and said I was looking good. That afternoon, we drove to my Dermatologist' in Edison. He took off a piece of the small growth on the side of my face to have a biopsy done.

Thursday the 30th, the Visiting Nurse came for the last time. She signed off on my case. Now I could drive again.

Friday the 31st, I drove up to Atlantic Tires in Avenel (my ex-wife followed me).

I knew there was a problem with the front driver's side tire but I wound up replacing both front ones. I didn't care about the cost, I was just happy to be driving again.

From Saturday August 1st through Monday August 10th I had my first real "exposure" to what the current pandemic situation was really like. I guess I wasn't paying attention while I was hospitalized and recuperating but now that I was on my own I noticed things. People in store and doctor's offices wore masks but a lot of those out just walking or jogging didn't.

Mostly younger people but it annoyed me. I understand that they're looking after their health but I'm more concerned about mine. They should have masks with them.

Tuesday the 11th, I had a teleconference scheduled with my dermatologist. Since I can't do that with the equipment I have, I drove up to my ex-wife's. While I was warming up the car I saw this guy.

I used to be happy to see him out there in the morning getting his exercise but not anymore. He didn't have a mask. 

The dermatologist said he needed to remove the entire growth and we scheduled it in his office for the 18th (rescheduled for the 25th).

Wednesday the 12th, I had a 1:40 appointment with a pulmonologist. I had a CAT scan of my chest done last month and my Primary wasn't happy with what she saw. I was out driving around when they called and asked to move my appointment up to 10:00. That was fine by me. He was a nice guy and thought that it wasn't serious but he wanted me to have a Swallow Test done at JFK. I scheduled it for Thursday the 20th at 8. On my way back I passed this woman.

Another jogger without a mask.

Friday the 14th was my Birthday and I met my ex-wife and her husband at the Denny's in Avenel.

They finally set up a tent outside and we enjoyed a really good meal. Later on, we got together again for lunch at their house and were joined by the kids and our granddaughter. It was a great day.

That night I got a text from Doyle. It was then that I realized that I hadn't heard from him in a while. He wished me a Happy Birthday and was glad that I was almost back to normal. Then he said he'd be out of touch for a while because they were reassigning him. He closed by saying, "If you think hard about it, Denny, you'll do what they want."

I was up most of the night trying to figure that out.

Yesterday the 15th I was driving around when I saw this guy up ahead.

Another guy without a mask. 

I was going to drive past but I changed my mind. There was only one thing to do.

I turned the corner, checked the area while I waited for the jogger, then ..

Point, press, Flash.

I drove home.

I was out again this morning but it was raining and I didn't see anyone else. I did follow this car up Rahway Avenue though.

It looked like the same make and model as mine so it was like following myself.

I've been thinking a lot about why I used the Flasher yesterday and about Doyle's message. I stopped  originally because I didn't believe in the mission anymore and then Jones threatened my family. It was  veiled but still. Shortly after that, Doyle mentioned that Jones was never a Field Agent and I realized that I could use the Flasher on him since he wouldn't have a Tracker in him. But how would I get close enough? 

Starting again might be the way of getting close to Jones and I could use the Flasher on these walker/joggers who don't wear masks. Seems simple to me. Just ..

Do what they want.