A Cross Word Puzzle

"The doctor will be in soon to stitch up your hand. I brought you today's crossword puzzle from today's newspaper for you to do." The nurse hands me the paper before departing.

I look over some of the clues to see if I know any.

"Phrase meaning "star of the sea" one of the many epithets for the Virgin Mary. Stella…"

"Maris." I answer as the memory overtakes me.

"Ahem…" she impatiently and angrily summons me to her beck and call.

I look over the top of my Sunday paper to see her face formed in disdain.

I don't know if the disdain is directed at me or someone else.

"What is it?" I decide I better question her.

"Marta. She knows I eat no more than half a slice of toast for brunch, yet she still insists on giving me the whole slice...."

I slowly let out the breath I didn't even realize I was holding relieved that for once, I was not at the center of her ire.

"As for you…" Her voice clearly is upset, and she is upset with me too, and my failure to recognize her annoyance myself.

Here it comes, her exasperation of me. I quickly cut her off to avoid further escalating her anger.

"I'm sorry," I apologize. Adding, "I was wrong and I should have known better."

She cocks her eyebrows, her way to telling me she needs more.

"And I promise never to do so again."

Maris never forgives quickly, so I don't expect it, at least not today. I decide to change the subject.

"Shall we adjourn to the study?" I suggest.

Upon entering, we quickly fall into our familiar Sunday afternoon routines, her at her autoharp and I at my jigsaw puzzle.

Several hours lapse without a word shared or exchanged between us.

The silence is shattered with her cross words, "Niles, I am very ennuyé in how you…"

"Dr. Crane?" a voice summons me to the present.

"I'm also going to give you a prescription for some pain killers and an antibiotic to prevent an infection from setting in." The attending emergency room doctor informs me as he scribbles his chicken scratch disguised handwriting on his pad.

"Additionally, you'll have to wear a plastic bag over your hand when you shower and you'll need to change the dressing on it twice a day. Once in the morning, and right before bed." He finishes and rips off and hands me my prescription.

To be continued…