Chapter 40

When lightning strikes a tree ... there are several things that can ... historically ... happen.

The tree explodes ... shrapnel. That often happens when the lightning superheats the moisture in the wood.

The lightning uses the tree as a conductor ... there is usually a strip blasted off from bolt to ground.

Depending on branches and other conditions ... the top can be blown off leaving a tall stump.

Fire.

The lightning can ... and has ... blasted a concrete swimming pool right out of the ground.

We had an occurrence of shrapnel.

It is only a hundred feet... 33 meters ... from the tree to the front door of the palace. A round from a 16” rifle on the USS Missouri exploding on the tree would not have had a greater effect.

BLACKNESS

The next 12 weeks ... three months ... are not in my memory ... they do not exist. Doctors, surgeons and specialists did things of which I was unaware. In my mind ... or at least ... within the range of my hearing ... plans were made, attempted and finished ... I don’t know what.

I recovered my senses in hospital. I doubt I’ll ever be pretty again. The nurses actively keep me from mirrors. Not that it matters ... I am kept in the dark.

The day came for the unwrapping ... just my head ... the rest of me was toast ... ed.

When a doctor says, “You may experience a slight discomfort,” he really means “this is going to hurt like a muthafucka.”

It does.

When he says...”Hold her. This is going to be extreme.”

Yeah.

When the great denouement is complete ... and the veil is removed and he says...”Sonofabitch I do great work.”

He’s lying.

Then he says, “Sorry guys ... I told you to hold her.” The four burly football linesmen are delivered to the ER and are no longer in our purview.

My shaved stubbly head is left unwrapped and the Family is ushered in.

Daddy tries ... his eyes won’t meet mine.

I can not feel my extremities. They are present ... I can seen them when bathed.

Alice vomited and won’t come back.

Like I said ... not pretty.

In the dead of night ... nursing staff is occupied with charting ... Residents are catching what sleep they can. The Attending is not available. The voices in my head hold a discussion.

Of course I hear voices ... I used to know they weren’t real ... something to ignore.

They have decided to help me. I won’t report them ... yet.

“Hello,” she said.

This has passed ridiculous ... I can see the voice.

A tentative response. “Hello.”

“We have decided,” and a seven part harmony said, “Yes. We...”

She dissolved into seven figures.

Now I know ... I’m nuts.