It Was a Dark and Stormy Night. . .

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night. . .

. .my last evening with my very good friend, mentor, meaningful human being. This was one of the last for Walter Gage. It was raining, cold, miserable, it was summer and I attended the UBC hospital, whose entire existence was being focused on one very notable alumnus, Dr. Walter Gage. This was Walter’s hospital, this was where Walter would take his final stand. My heart was leaden with grief for my poor, alone, frightened, distracted by pain, the best friend of my life.

Walter kept asking for Morphine, for his considerable pain. Terminal pain, the kind of pain only the Lord reserves the very best of his. I recall, thinking abstractly, it would be nice if they provided Walter with an SCA (Self Controlled Analgesia) pump, so he could take care of his own discomfort without bothering, the wanting to bothered, highly attentive and professional Nursing staff. The Pros who had to work this Death Shift. My poor, dear Walter.

We did not  talk much. There was nothing I had not already shared with my dearest friend. There was nothing to do but listen to the rain. The rain at UBC in Vancouver. ‘Bout as heavy as it gets. As well as I can remember.

I left first thing in the morning. I left my friend in a peaceful disposition, asleep.  The lords of Opium had done their bit. Sleep at last. It had brightened that morning. It was looking up to be a pleasant summer day at UBC. It was merely a matter of days before Walter Gage was taken forward by Himself on his Own. Walter would be remembered as Mr. UBC. We all loved him and loved him well. Every damn one of us.

WE ARE, Walter, WE ARE…WE ARE…WE ARE……….the…… . . . engineers. . .