photo © What’s His name
Fran was allocated the new arrival in Bed 6. Despite the handover she was unprepared for the stench that filled her nostrils on entering the cubicle. He lay, unconsious, in a foetal position. The pores of his skin black with inground dirt.
“He stopped washing two years ago.” A middle-age woman spoke, “He used to shower every day then every second day. When his shoulder froze, once a week. When Mum died the dirty language started and he stopped altogether.
The monitor unexpectedly flat lined. The woman begged, “Please don’t save him.” Fran knew either way she’d have to wash him.
Thank you to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and What’s his name for the photo prompt.
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About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Sheesh! That was a good one! I love the picture too.
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Thank you. The picture was provided by what’s his name.
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Oh my. I’m speechless…
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Good… I think.
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Great writing, Irene. I feel for Fran and respect her choice of profession immensely.
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Thank you. Yes nurses have to do some foul jobs but they do them without complaint. They just have to be done. And most importantly most nurses carry them out with respect. There is always a back story.
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That was powerful writing. Well done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you very much.
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I can understand the woman’s situation and feeling of despair – and Fran’s matter-of-fact reaction. Excellent.
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Dear Irene,
This is so vivid and well written. Stunning in more ways than one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. Much appreciate your comment.
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I agree with Rochelle this was stunning and I will add tragic.
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I’m overwhelmed. Thank you very much.
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Fran shows more respect for the man in death than he did for himself. How sad that so many little things throw us into impoverished lives, the poverty showing up in unexpected ways. You wrote a short story with enormous importance, Irene, and great sensitivity.
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There is always a story behind the presentation and all people deserve respect, no matter what their circumstances.Thank you Sharon, I really appreciate your comment.
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Fran can’t win for losing! Sad story. Well done!
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Thank you Nan.
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Some jobs really are worse than others.
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Aren’t we lucky that we have some caring and respectful people to do them.
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WOW !! This was totally unexpected read. It was VERY MOVING.
You can write so well. I think great writers have a wealth life experience behind them — and you do!
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You have bowled me over with this comment Mike. I thank you very much. I’m glad you found it moving. I think every person deserves respect no matter how they present – there is always a story leading to the circumstances a person finds themself.
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That was one powerful piece of writing. Well done!
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I am left with my hand covering my mouth. Dare I read it again?
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Good – I think. I won’t force you to read it again.
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You think correctly, Itene. Twas a shocking yet satisfying read. 🙂
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That was a powerful story, and the last line was brilliant!
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Thank you very much Liz. Smiling that you thought the last line was brilliant.
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I think in the end we know that they left before the heart gave up… very moving. Maybe washing was not the worst part after all.
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I agree. Thank you.
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Bang! What a last line! And the idea of what might have been behind the personal neglect. Everyone has their own backstory, yes?
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I agree. If you talk to someone for long enough to find out their back story it at the very least gives you an understanding of what has been behind their behaviour or their circumstances.
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Decisions can be a challenge! But as a nurse I guess she’d have to do what she could.
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Yes she would. I know she wouldn’t be inactive on the daughter’s wish but she may move a little more slowly – then again she may have already pressed the buzzer.
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what a sad deterioration of a life. Beautifully written.
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Thank you very much.
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You tell us such a lot in that story. The middle-aged woman (his daughter or daughter-in-law, presumably) must have endured so much trying to care for him. And she must have known that it was fruitless, that he’d given up on life – was already dead, in effect – and so she was bearing a great burden of grief, too.
Really well told, Irene! And I love your emphasis in the comments about how lucky we are to have nurses who care for us with professionalism and respect.
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Thanks for your comment Penny. It is the relatives that know the person intimately and so often they are not listened to by medical staff. Professionalism and patient respect in my belief is an essential.
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Well that is certainly a point of view I had not considered!
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There are so many different points of view. Glad to give you one you hadn’t thought of.
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