More Roses, Please

Andrei Riabovitchev

I had no idea what to do. I put my hand on his. I examined his teeth and assured him there were no worms in his mouth. He studied me for a moment, then a look of bitter betrayal swept across his face. The poor man began to wail that he had worms in his mouth. I felt completely powerless.

I did not notice when a hospital orderly entered the room and began to prepare a nearby bed. As soon as he heard the man’s cries he leaned over…