Trafika Europe 14 - Italian Piazza

Lessons in Torture and Seduction

CHAPTER 2 DON’T COLORS BELONG TO EVERYONE?

In any event, my case isn’t serious: “ Codice verde .” “How could it get any redder than this?” I ask. They wave me away. “Spotting in a woman who’s not pregnant is code green, not code red.” They don’t even have sanitary pads to give me. I have to use toi let paper from the bathroom. The rough kind made of recycled pulp that you use to wash your hands. Pitiful government-run health system. After my three heroic hours of waiting in the ER, though, I’m shipped back to the gynecology department to meet with the ob/gyn on duty, Dr. Rombini. He certainly is interesting – and he got my attention. He seems a bit slow but he’s not stupid. Maybe just relaxed. Put it this way, he gives me a feel ing of warmth and peace I haven’t felt for a whi le. I l ike him, I think. I hope he comes to the party. My married friend, meanwhi le, has gone home, after generously waiting a half-hour for me. She, nonetheless, gives up her scarf to help make me look presentable. I wrap it around my hips l ike a sarong to cover up the blood staining my pants. At this point, it ’s 9:30 in the evening. Visiting hours

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