More Momentary Madness

Susan had left the insurer because they would not permit her time off to travel to her ailing grandmother's bedside in another state. Tragically, the grandmother did die and Susan quit. She also tried to associate herself with sexual harassment that was extant in that company at that time and was receiving wide local media coverage. Susan managed to secure a position in the VA system as a psych nurse. One day, she had car trouble but wanted to join my family for the evening so we picked her up at work. We stopped at the Belle Meade Kroger to pick up some supplies and as we were turning off the radio a public service announcement about women's health was read by a physician both my parents had known for many years. Susan, not knowing our acquaintance with said doctor began to slander him. "I wouldn't want to have anything to do with that doctor that y'all heard on the radio." My mother inquired, "Why is that Susan?" To which Susan replied, "He's a front shop doc, connected to the mafia." The rest of the party in the car exchanged knowing glances, but once again didn't push the matter.