2.08 - Role Model
“Mr. Efrem,” a few of the kids shouted when I showed up with Martin. I didn’t want to come, but he insisted.
The Galactic Groundbreakers, Troup 491; Martin’s branch of a scout organization. I haven’t seen the kids since we took the camping trip which was over a year ago at this point. They’ve gotten bigger and there’s some new faces but a few of the kids were excited to see me. I didn’t think I made a lasting impression on them, but Martin was right. They did remember me and they did have a lot of fun. It’s surprising since I was basically just his side kick.
He thought it would be a good idea and a better opportunity to free my mind from the casino and everything else. I put up a good fight; found stuff to do around the ranch, pretended Pauline needed help, and I didn’t want to be around kids. But in the end, I gave up. You can’t fight against Pauline because she hits hard, but Martin knows exactly which heart strings to pull. He called one of the kids and told him I couldn’t come, right in front of me. I’ve never thought of Martin as a manipulator, but that was some textbook manipulation. I couldn’t take the disappointment in the kid’s voice so I had no choice but to come along.
I was expecting another camping trip but Martin drove us out to the community center. The building isn’t run down, but it needs some love. There was a mural on the wall outside but the paint is so faded I can’t tell what it used to be. Still, the building is full of life. Kids playing basketball, others playing some kind of virtual reality game, elders playing bingo. It's the kind of place every community should have, but they're so rare now. Time moves slow here, and relics of the past are easy to find. I'm just glad this place is still around. It’s one of those things from the past that should have never fallen out of favor.
"This week, we're going to learn a little bit about first aid," Martin starts once the kids have settled down a little. "Does anyone know anything about first aid?" A few kids put their hands up eager to tell Martin and I what they already know. All they know is the basics; scrape your knee, clean it and apply a bandage.
"Are we going to learn how to pull a bullet out and seal the wound with just a knife like the new Angel Granger film," one of the kids asks.
"No," Martin answers with confusion. "We're going to learn some life altering stuff here today. We're going to learn about torniquets and how they can save a limb or even a life in a bad situation," Martin tries to lean in and make it sound exciting.
“But there’s machines for that,” one of the kids responds causing the others to laugh.
“Machines won’t always be around especially if you’re out in the wilderness or somewhere far away from hospitals,” Martin tries to argue.
A few of the kids I’ve met before pay attention, but some of the new kids think Martin is joking. First aid basics are important. Accidents happen every day, and if you’re in the armed forces, or protesting those skills become way more important. Even if you’re not the designated medic, basic first aid is important. I can do CPR, apply a tourniquet, a splint, poor stitches as well as treat and know when someone has a concussion.
Martin turns to me with a sigh, “Can I get a little help here Efrem?”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Show the new kids what happens if first aid isn’t rendered in time.”
“I actually got great first aid. I probably should have bled out.”
“Get to the point,” an impatient boy shouts.
“Give him a second,” a kid I recognize as Phillip from my last meeting with the troop shouts back causing me to chuckle a little. He’s gotten taller but he’s missing his two sidekicks David and Jacob.
I take my hands out of my pocket and eyes are immediately drawn to my hand. I pull my arm through the sleeve of my shirt revealing to them that the entire arm is a shiny turquoise prosthetic. A few of the kids are surprised, some think it’s cool and others recoil.
“Does it hurt,” one of the kids asks quietly.
Martin’s face seems shocked before I answer the kid, “No, it doesn’t hurt.”
“Can you feel it,” another kid asks.
“I can’t feel it in the same way that I feel my other hand arm, but I’m aware of it. I know when I’m being touched and I know if I’m holding something tightly or loosely, but I can’t really tell if something is hot, cold or soft.”
“Now kids,” Martin interrupts, “it’s not nice or polite to ask questions like this and it can make people uncomfortable. We’re all different and special in our own ways. His arm is just another way he’s different,” he’s flustered.
“Hey,” I put a hand on Martin’s shoulder. “It’s okay, I’d rather them ask me than bother some random person on the street.” Martin relaxes but his trademark smile still doesn’t come back. “Go ahead, anyone else got questions,” the kids put their hands up high.
“How do you control it?”
“I’m not a doctor but in short, they used what was left of my arm’s tendons and nerves to this one. It took time and a lot of rehab, but eventually it started responding to my brain signals like my original arm did.”
“Is it electric?”
“Sort of. It has a battery, a really small battery and eventually I’ll have to replace it, but they tell me it should be good for almost twenty years.”
“How did you lose your arm?”
“I got blown up. But luckily, we had a medic with us. His name is Casey, and he made sure I didn’t die even while people were still shooting at us. He made sure I didn’t bleed out or go into shock. That’s why it’s first aid is important.”
Martin interrupts, “that’s why it’s good for you all to learn some basics.”
The lesson gets under way without any more interruptions. I’m able to catch up with Phillip just turned 16 so he’s got a few more years with the Galactic Groundbreakers. David has gone off to university and Jacob is working at the casino. Martin probably didn’t know that or he wouldn’t have thought this was a good way for me to put it out of my mind.
“Thanks for your help today,” Martin says to me once all the kids have left.
“I thought the camping trip was supposed to be your retirement.”
“Well, it was, but I couldn’t find anyone else to take over. I figured since we were going to be running the ranch a little longer, I could stick around. I just couldn’t leave the kids behind.”
“Well, we’ll need to make sure that you have something else good for your retirement.”
“Maybe I’ll stick around until you’re ready to take over for me.”
“I think I’ll pass.”
“You sure,” Martin tilts his head and lifts an eyebrow.
“I’m sure”
“I don’t think so. The kids really like you. I’ve seen it twice, you connect with them and they feel safe with you.”
“No, I think the kids like the arm,” I laugh.
“But you like the kids too.”
“Not at all.”
“Phillip told me about you going out into the forest with him when he was scared to use the bathroom. He won’t say it, but he looks up to you now. Asks me about you all the time.”
“That’s one kid.”
“That you don’t really know, but went out of your way to make sure he felt safe. That made a big difference in his life, and in turn he’s going to make a difference in someone else’s life. He’s not wrong to look up to you.”
“Kids have terrible judgement,” I laugh.
“No, kids are actually pretty good judges of character because they’re still honest, and they don’t feel safe around everyone.”
“I’ll take your word for it, but I’m still not taking your role here,” I laugh.
Martin lets out a loud laugh, “you got me; but I’ll get you sooner rather than later.”
