I was awakened by this hard sound, heavy and hard, rolling on the linoleum floor. the door opened and something entered the room which was still dark. it looked like a large cross but it was only a beam scale. “gotta weigh you,” said the nurse. she was a big black woman, kindly but determined. “now?” I asked. “yes, honey, come on, get on the scale.” I got off the bed and made my way over there. I got on. I had trouble with my balance. I was ill, weak. she moved the weights back and forth trying to get a read. “let’s see … let’s see … hmmm …” I was about to fall off when she finally said, “185.” the next morning it was a male nurse, a good fellow, a bit on the plump side. he rolled in and I stepped on the scale. he had a problem too, sliding the weights back and forth, trying to get a read. “I can hardly stand,” I said. “just a little longer,” he said. I was about to topple off when he said, “184.” I went back to bed and awaited the scheduled 6 a.m.
