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A Nursing Home For The Ill

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To those who were afflicted -- a practical nursing home for the ill.

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"What do you mean I can 't stay with her?" I yelled at the woman behind the front desk.

"I am sorry, sir. We aren 't allowed to let you stay." The clerk stood tall, and her words were firm. "The other residents may find discomfort knowing there is a non-afflicted person living in our quarters."

I continued to yell. I extended my arm towards my wife. "She needs me!"

"Sir, I am sorry, but I am just not allowed to let you stay."

My wife walked up to the desk. She placed her hand gently on the counter. Her fingers were bound by skin so that only her thumb was mobile. "Please, ma 'am. Not only do I need him, but he needs me. Please."

The clerk 's previous presence faded. She began typing into her computer. Her hands shook and her voice cracked when she said, "your room is on the third floor." She handed me the key.

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Since it was difficult for her to walk with the skin that immobilized her toes, I guided my wife delicately through the halls. I held her elbow, since she wasn 't able to hold my hand anymore.

As we approached our room, we saw many residents afflicted with the illness roaming the halls. Some followed along the wall, blinded by the skin covering their eyes. Others bowed their heads at us in greeting, unable to speak due to the skin that connected their lips.

A boy came up to us and offered his hand. We shook hands as he greeted us. "Hello, ma 'am and sir."

As my wife

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