strange messages

I had just returned home from a work party with Master Gardeners when I received a strange phone call. It seemed to be Mrs. Pandammy, but it was hard to tell. The voice was cutting in and out. She seemed agitated. I heard "paraplegic" and "he fell."

When I said, "Where are you? Who are we talking about?" her phone cut out. I called her back at home (busy, which often happens when they leave their phone off the hook and the battery runs down) and on her cell phone (which she had used to call me) to no avail. And I called again home (no answer) and cell (straight to voicemail).

What the hell. I put on my coat and walked over there. They were both home, looking dazed. Crying. A dear, long-time friend (whom I have met) was found late a few nights in the middle of the road, paralyzed. He had been taking out his garbage. No reliable information, no crucial phone numbers to call, and no answer at the VA hospital room where he supposedly was being treated.

We hugged and sniffled together for a while and their phone rang again. Mrs. P and I went into a side room to chat. I told her I could make her laugh, and recounted a story I'd just heard from my little sister. It distracted her and she did indeed laugh. At the expense of one of my brothers-in-law, but oh well, the guy deserves it.

Anyway I'm glad I went over there. I was a little freaked out with the little bit I heard on the cell phone conversation and was glad to find them both safe and sound.

In the meantime Mr. P is making plans to head to Palo Alto. I hope he can go soon, and get the information first-hand, and be a comfort to his dear, good friend.