For this chapter, I used a spacing style different from my usual. The purpose is to hopefully make the transitions in narration and shifts from present tp past easier to follow. Tell me what you think.
Chapter 2
Sundown, sundown, they're taking all the tents down
Where have you gone my handsome Billy
Sundown, sundown, the carnival train's leaving town
Where are you now darling Billy
-Bruce Springsteen (“The Last Carnival”)
Only the red upper half of the sun was visible as it sank into the horizon, its fading rays creating a beautiful but eerie orange glow through the patient room windows facing the west side. I could already tell it was going to be one of those nights. Mrs. Pearson was trying to climb out of bed, although she couldn’t walk, Mr. Webster was pooping on the floor again, and Mrs. Berger, Mrs. Franzini, and Mr. Snell were screaming at the top of their lungs.
Healthcare workers have a name for this. It’s called “sundowning.” It refers to the well-known phenomenon that people with dementia become more confused, agitated, anxious, and difficult to control starting in the late afternoon, then throughout the evening. Rosemary, however, seemed unusually quiet, even pensive.
“Good job with dinner, Rosemary. I have your pills,” I said with my most cheerful voice. “You’re rather quiet today.”
“Oh, I’m just a little nervous,” she said with a half-smile. “I’m just thinking about what I should do.”
“Sounds like you have some kind of decision to make.”
“Yes…Rick and I will be discussing it tonight at the county fairground. He said it’s my decision, but I know he really wants me to do this.”
“Do what, Rosemary? What are you trying to decide?”
The old woman smiled at me; her lips began to form a reply before her eyes fell silently to the floor. “You’re a lovely girl,” she told me. “What did you say your name was?”
“My name is Shannon; I’m your nurse tonight.”
“Oh, that’s a lovely name. Are you married, dear?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Do you have children?
“Yes, three. Two girls and a boy.”
“Well, remember to hug them and tell them you love them every day.”
“I will, ma’am.”
“And don’t forget to have fun. Life is short. That’s what Rick always said. Enjoy it while you can. He always said to live life to the fullest.” She looked around and sighed. “Now, where did my husband get to? He was just here a minute ago. Have you seen him? That’s Rick, always running off to something. We’re supposed to leave now for the county fair. I feel nervous again.”
“Can I get you a nerve pill?” I asked.
“I don’t know about this, Rick,” I tell him as we wait in line at the tall Ferris wheel. “I’m kind of nervous about going through with this.”
“I spoke with Dave again today. There’s nothing to worry about. You and his wife are a good match. She was only in one fight, and you’re both the same size. And they’re good people. You know, Dave saved my life in Korea. It’ll be safe. It’s whatever you want to do.”
We had been talking about it for a year. Rick couldn’t stop thinking about my fight with Shirley in the cornfield. As terrible as it was, there was something about it that made me so attractive, so irresistible to him. He mentioned it in his letters from Korea. The mental image of me battling another woman and prevailing overwhelmed him. Then in an idle moment, he confessed it to Dave, his Army buddy and close friend, who turned out to share the very same fantasies. Rick was injured in combat and sent home. We married last summer.
Our life together has been great. Yeah, I was shocked at first when Rick raised the question of me fighting another woman. I thought he was joking. I joked back that Shirley was no longer available after she married a Navy man and is now traveling around the world. I never thought of myself as a fighter. I’m not a mean person. The Shirley fight happened so fast that I didn’t have time to be scared. And yet, later, when I thought about it, beating her was so exhilarating, especially since she attacked me. But I never want anyone to get hurt. “Don’t worry,” Rick would say, “there will be rules. I’ll keep you safe. Then,” he added, “life is short. Live while you can. We don’t stay young very long.”
Rosemary finally drifted off to sleep and gave me no issues overnight. The next day, as she was napping, her daughter Renee and I chatted.
“Mom and Dad married after he returned from the Korean War,” she explained. “In 1953, with help from the G.I. Bill, they purchased a split-level home in a suburban residential development where all the houses looked alike. Karen was born the following year, and I arrived four years later. The 1960s was a time of turmoil in the U.S. But for me, it was the time of a wonderful childhood filled with happy memories—a time of endless summers, magical Christmas mornings, family vacations, and friendships. Karen and I were always very close. Our parents did everything they could to provide us with the best life possible. They instilled their values in us. They taught us responsibility, work ethic, respect for others, and to see the good in everyone. In turn, we would emphasize these values to our children.”
“Rose, I just got off the phone with Dave. His wife Lois is willing to do it. They suggested a wrestling match with a few added rules. She said she’d be happy to talk to you first.”
Rick had it all worked out. We’d take a car trip out west. We’d spend a few days at Yellowstone, then on to California. On the return trip, we’d visit Dave and Lois in Kansas, where they would host us for a few days. On the final day. Lois and I would have a fun, friendly scrap. It’s not something I would consider doing myself. It’s not how we were taught ladies should act. But I’ve wanted to do something special for Rick, especially after his war injury. Our first anniversary is coming up…Why not a little fun? Why not let go of inhibitions for a little bit. Soon, we’ll have children…and many commitments. Rick is right. Life is short.
“OK, Rick, I’ll do it.”…Now I feel nervous.
“You really should visit Yellowstone, dear. It’s a wonderful place,” Rosemary said. “We spent a few days there, then went to Malibu and had fun on the beach. And as soon as Rick gets back here, we’re heading out to Kansas…Oh, I’m getting nervous again…what is your name, dear?”
“I’m Shannon,” I reminded her for the third time that day as I removed her lunch tray. “Well, you might feel better if we get you up and moving around a little. Would you like that?”
“Oh yes, that would be perfect. Rick has been putting me through exercises, getting me into shape. I still don’t think I’m ready.”
“Well, we can help you. And look who’s here,” I tell her as I point to the woman in blue scrubs in the doorway. “It’s your physical therapist. She’ll get you into shape.”
Rosemary’s eyes widened with apprehension as she looked at the woman.
“She has black hair and green eyes.”
“Yes, she does,” I affirm.
“How tall is she?”
“I’d say five foot seven.”
“So that’s Lois.”
“No, ma’am,” the woman replied. “I’m your physical therapist. My name is Julie.”
“Well, Lois, we finally meet.”
“Hello Lois, I’m Rosemary. I’ve…Uh…heard a lot about you…I mean, just what Rick has told me from Dave.” Already this is awkward.
“Welcome, Rosemary, let me show you two inside. I’m sure you’re both tired from driving. Please make yourselves comfortable here. I’ll show you to our guest room.”
It is a lovely farm home. Dave and Lois are treating us to midwestern friendliness and hospitality. They are our age and also without kids. After we unpacked, Lois cooked a wonderful dinner for us, then the four of us went to a local tavern. Behind the revelry, I can’t help looking at Lois, sizing her up. I know she is doing the same with me. Finally, the men get up to shoot billiards, leaving Lois and I alone at the table.
“So…tomorrow is our big day,” I say with some apprehension.”
“Sure is,” Lois responds. “Dave has been talking about this for months.”
“Yeah, Rick too…I hear you’ve been in one fight.”
“That’s correct.”
“Me too.”
“Looks like we’re evenly matched.”
“I’d say so.”
“So, Lois…uh,…this is just going to be a friendly little scuffle, right? Just to make our guys happy.”
“We’ll…,” she answers. “We can be friends. Our guys are close. But understand that I am competitive by nature. I’ll be out to win tomorrow, and I expect you to do the same.”
A chill runs through my body with those words. What did I get myself into? At night, in bed, Rick tries to reassure me, but I can’t sleep.
“Good morning, Rosemary. I heard from the night shift that you didn’t sleep much last night.”
“No, I’m too nervous….Who are you?”
“I’m Shannon, and I’m your nurse today. You didn’t eat your breakfast either.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Well, maybe we can try eating later. Right now, Julie is here to do your physical therapy session.”
“Good morning, Rosemary,” Julie said with a smile. “Are you ready?”
The elderly woman’s face was expressionless as she looked at the attractive young therapist.
“Lois,” she muttered.
Lois. I gaze at the woman standing across from me. The men walked us out to the barn for the event. We stand across two king-sized bed mattresses placed side-by-side on the barn floor as a makeshift arena. We are in our swimsuits, at the urging of our husbands. I’m wearing a one-piece yellow Jantzen with a sweetheart neckline and short pencil skirt that hangs over the top of my butt and front. The suit goes well with my chestnut hair and brown eyes. Lois’ suit is similar but is black with white polka dots.
I couldn’t sleep last night and couldn’t eat the country breakfast Lois prepared this morning. She studies me. She knows I’m nervous. I’m trying to hide it. We both do exercises at our corners of the mattresses. It’s a beautiful sunny day. The barn smells of hay, timber, and manure. I try to block it out of my mind. The men call us to the center and review the rules. I don’t like the way she is looking at me.
“Rosemary, are you ready?” Julie asked.
“Rosemary, are you ready?” Dave asks. “Lois, are you ready? Okay ladies, FIGHT!”
Lois and I circle, with our feet sinking slightly into the mattress. We awkwardly smile at each other as our husbands encourage us. Her face becomes serious, and she rushes at me. We wrap our arms around each other, grunting, trying to throw each other off. Each of us tries to control the other until I trip her and throw her down. Lois quickly rolls away, crouches, then jumps at me. She knocks me over on my back and tries to pounce. Our bodies tangle, lying on our sides, arms holding on to arms, legs becoming entwined. We roll on top of each other several times, shrieking. I end up perched on her and controlling her arms. Then I shift toward her head and grip her with a headlock like Rick showed me. This isn’t so bad. This is fun. I have nothing to be concerned about. I’m in control. I now know that I’m stronger.
“Wow, Rosemary, you’re really strong,” Julie said with a laugh. “You really enjoy doing this, don’t you? I’m glad to see you’re having fun. Now let’s see you work those arms. Squeeze harder. That’s it; you got it.
“You got her, Rosemary,” I hear Rick yell out. The match ends when one of us gives up. And I hope that time is now.
“I got you, Lois,” I grunt as I squeeze her head between my biceps and ribs. “Give up. It’s ov- Aaaaggghh.”
That bitch reached around to the exposed part of my back, dug her nails in, and raked. Reflexively, I let go of the hold. I look at the guys, but they’re not reprimanding her. Was this in the rules? I’m on my knees, and I’m too distracted to see Lois grabbing my hair and pulling me to my feet. I scream as she flings me in a circle, sending me reeling off balance and down to the mattress, still holding my hair. Her legs straddle my neck as she pulls my face up by the hair.
“AAAAAGGGGGHHHH.” I hear the scream from Rosemary’s room. “Julie, what’s going on?” I shout as I make my way down the hallway.
Lois slaps at my head and the side of my face as she stands over me. “Had enough?” she snarls. I didn’t expect this. Maybe I didn’t know what to expect. Should I quit?…No, I’m in a fight with an aggressor, just like Shirley. I didn’t quit then. I traveled a long way for this. I’m not quitting now.
I wrap my arms around Lois’ legs and arch my back, lifting her feet off the mattress, and causing her to tumble down. I grab her hair as she holds onto mine, and we roll again, each pulling hair with one hand and slapping with the other.
“HELLLPP,” Julie cries. I rush into the room to see Rosemary pulling Julie’s hair with one hand while slapping her with the other. “I don’t know what happened,” the distressed physical therapist wailed, “she was fine a minute ago.”
We are rolling, writhing, pulling hair, slapping, and scratching while are husbands watch intently. I get on top of Lois, and slap to her hard in the face causing her to release my hair. I manage to sit on her chest, pinning her arms down with my knees, her chin nearly in my crotch. My knees squeeze together until her face turns bright red. Her tears flow, and her legs kick furiously until, after a few minutes, they slow down. I repeat the leg squeeze, compressing her head with my thighs. “Give up,” I plead with her. She refuses. I lift my bottom and come down with my weight bouncing on her chest, then repeat. I squeeze my legs, and squeeze, and…
“I give up,” she gasps through tears.
I finally relax. The men help us up, each one of us receiving a hug from her respective spouse. Lois is crying in Dave’s arms. I want to go home immediately, but I know Rick wants to stay one final night as planned. As much as I would rather not, I approach Lois and offer a conciliatory hug, even though the bitch wanted to skin me alive. I’m beginning to ache, and the sweat stings my scratches, but it’s over. I won. Thank goodness I won.
“That’s it, Rosemary, just relax. ‘Atta girl, let go. No one is going to hurt you. You’re safe here.” Tension eases from the old woman’s muscles as she removes her grip on Julie. A look of peace transforms her face. “Who are you?”
“My name is Shannon. This is Julie. We’re your friends.”
“Can we still be friends?” Lois asks. Reluctantly, I say ‘yes’, not wanting to get in the way of Rick and Dave’s friendship.
That evening, after a much-needed bath at the farmhouse, Rick and I settled into bed in our guest room. Despite the pain, our lovemaking was phenomenal. Afterward, as we lay in bed, I could hear Dave and Lois talking through the wall. Although I could make out only some of the words, I heard her say “sorry” several times, and Dave said he was proud of her. She sobbed again. I think I understood what she felt, but I didn’t feel sorry for her. I fall asleep…smiling.
“Good morning, Rosemary,” I chirped. You look awake and chipper today.
“Oh yes, Shannon, isn’t this a beautiful day. Just look at the trees and the sky outside.”
“It sure is beautiful,” I replied, “and…you remembered my name.”
“Yes, and you know what?… I slept marvelously last night.”
