Hemodialysis

Driving before sunrise and away from the black hole of Silicon Valley is always very fast. As if the universe is encouraging me to leave (irony again). The reverse commute commonly takes three hours, but I may wait until sunset to help shorten it. Today I don’t have “my appointment” in Menlo Park, so I have a bit more flexibility in my schedule.

I walk through the metal detector without issue: I long ago gave up all my jewelry, partially to match my public persona. No ring. No watch. No phone. I do carry a money clip as a memento, but simply place that in a bin for the belt. I am well armed, but not in a way any normal machine could detect.

I did not enter this room — The room seems to be in a hospital, which does strike a memory.

I came into a hospital recently. I went to Stanford Hospital. I was very sick and ultimately couldn’t move without help. My family drove me to the hospital. Is this Stanford Hospital?

I find Nancy’s office — and wait for our appointment. My ability to predict traffic enables me to be about ten minutes early for our meeting. I wait patiently.

Some things need time, and I have all the time in the world. But only for things that ‘age well’. Many things rot over time, so speed is essential. Hence the morning coffee-powered interaction.

I focus on the digital clock behind the secretary.

- 3 -

The wall clock is slowly turning — It is daylight outside, so the hand pointing at the 9 must mean it is around 9am. The clock has no second hand, and it is very far away, so the movement is hard to discern. But I am sure time is passing.

A bit later someone walks into the room and stands near my surfboard. They have a tag, but I can’t focus enough to read it. They ask me to lift my hands. Then ask me to push on their hands. Then they push back on me.

Then they leave.

“We need this legislation to go through” — I start with after slowly sitting down. Everything I do appears to be slower than normal, as if I am infirm from some illness.

“Yes, I understand that. I am doing the best I can. But there are a lot of opponents.”

“They are getting fewer. How many more do you need on our side? Who would have the greatest impact?”

“Well, a lot of people would come along with Grace. I believe she lives near you?”

“Yes. I have been reluctant to contact her due to a prior relationship. But that is a foolish weakness. I will follow up with her and we can meet again next week to review the progress. Are you available next Thursday? “

“I think so, but please call my assistant to confirm before you drive out here. “

- 4 -

“Phones hate me. I will be here, in case you are available. Otherwise I will get some waffles for breakfast.”

“Have a safe drive back. Nice seeing you”

The ‘wall’ is still up — and I estimate it will take three hours to get back to Palo Alto or anywhere on the peninsula. So I do go get some toasty waffles. Sacramento has a lot of waffle shops, which may be due to the nearby snow. Somehow waffles help you brave the cold.

I get the usual: pork belly and eggs on a savory waffle… praise the lard! I have not had to worry about what I eat for ten months now. There are some benefits. Actually, there are a lot of benefits, but there are a lot of losses too.

I can’t move much — I think this is because I am weak since I don’t see any straps, but I am not sure. I try to look at the whirring machines around me, but they are mostly behind my head. And there is something attached to my neck that feels strange when I turn my head. But I can turn enough to look out the window.

The day seems beautiful, but that is common in the South Bay of San Francisco. The Santa Cruz mountains prevent fog from rolling onto us, and the Pacific peacefully sends a few pleasant clouds over our heads. The 70s is a common temperature this time of year. Wait… what time of year is this? It seems like it is near ‘the birthdays’: my wife and I have birthdays in April. So is today April something?

Hah! Maybe it is April first!

- 5 -

This is a very elaborate prank on me.

- 6 -