At St. Luke's

I went with Ice and his colleagues to the hospital to visit their friend. This particular visit is worthy of note because it was a real visit, something of rarity. It wasn't the ceremonial kind like a visit of formality, which is just something one must do lest he be branded impolite. No, Ice and his colleagues did not simply drop by the hospital, drop off food and flowers, feign concern, and promptly leave. For two whole hours, all eleven of us stayed in the small, cramped space, which clearly has not anticipated guests who linger. I stood quietly by, smiling at the sight, and listening to the group talk about just about anything. There were talks of concern, of laughter, of work, of Christmas parties, of catheters, of pretty nurses. It was nice to see them all together like that. It comforted me to know Ice has such wonderful friends.