want the
surgery. I
held her
hand as a
needle was
inserted
into her
arm. In a
few
seconds
her tears
stopped
and she
closed
those eyes
that had
always
seemed so
clever and
clear, but
now looked
so
fearful.
Feeling
frantic
and
disconnected
I kissed
her, and
then she
was
wheeled
away
through
the
unforgiving
doors of
the
operating
suite. I
spent the
day in the
waiting
room
polishing
a
manuscript
whose only
significance
was its
