K is the most modest person I know. Never showing the slightest cleavage, double checking the window shades, etc.
Today she brought a jar of her famous rhubarb strawberry preserves to our dear neighbors, Fifi and Dr A. He’s retired from a life of Medicine at a prestigious Saudi hospital, she is a healthy survivor of a double transplant at the U last year. Practicing Moslems, they are very tolerant of Western ways, adopting many as their own. Their English ain’t bad either. And they’ve always taken an interest in the aches and pains of friends. Kind and sweet.
Monday Kathleen took a tumble at Byerly's grocery store while shopping there with Jordanne, her helper. She’s grateful to be just bruised, it could have been so much worse. She fell backwards and now has a huge bruise on her elbow….and buttock.
Fifi and Dr. A had heard via text about the fall, and greeted her today with genuine concern. "The elbow will heal," the good doctor opined after checking it out. “You are fortunate it didn’t fracture. “
And now for the butt. The doctor gestured that he wanted to see her backside. The look of horror on modest Kathleen’s face, made Fifi reassure her. “Is ok” she said, “I am here” perhaps thinking of cultural norms of behaviour prohibiting a married man from seeing another man’s wife. “Is ok,” she insisted to the shocked woman who had just come to deliver a pint of jam to friends, with no idea that she’d be asked to take her pants down.
Fifi had no idea that Kathleen’s reticence came from a life of Catholic modesty.
Somehow, Dr A was able to convince her and so there she stood in her neighbors kitchen, as the retired, qualified physician examined a black and blue bruise that I will never be able to show you.
Eventually, Kathleen pulled her pants up and headed back home, now giggling to herself of the absurdity of the whole situation, but also grateful that the doctor saw no troubling aspect.
Now to explain to her husband how a strawberry/rhubarb jam delivery can take such a surprise twist.
