The Blood Donor

Keith drew up at the village hall where the banner outside announced ‘Blood donations here today.’ He knew it would be busy as the car park was nearly full.

He’d turned up on spec having taken his car for in a service that morning. Not knowing how long it would take he hadn’t booked an appointment to donate blood but had taken his completed blood donation form with him, just in case. The car service had been routine and quick, the garage, to Keith’s amazement, having found no additional work necessary.

As he entered the hall he could see that every bed was being used, and every chair in the waiting area was occupied.

‘I’ll deal with you in one moment, sir’ a nurse said as she rushed off to a corner of a room where a donor had apparently fainted.

Keith stood for a moment wondering whether to resign himself to what could be a long wait or just go home…

‘This way please, sir’ a voice whispered from behind. A tall thin elderly pale-faced male nurse had appeared seemingly from nowhere. He took Keith by the elbow to a tiny side-room with just one bed and a chair.

‘OK, thanks. I’ve already filled in my form.’ Keith said handing it to the nurse who pointed to the bed where Keith lay down.

After a somewhat cursory glance at the form, the nurse put the blood pressure cuff on Keith’s arm and started pumping. Keith winced a little as the nurse’s ice-cold hands touched his arm.

‘Busy, today. I wasn’t sure if it was worth waiting.’

‘Yes, sir.’ The nurse agreed.

Keith always looked forward to the friendly conversation which usually took place throughout the donation procedure, but the nurse remained silent, fixing his pale blue eyes on the needle as it entered painlessly a vein on Keith’s arm.

Keith tried again. ‘So, how long have you been doing this job?’

‘Many years, sir.’

Another silence. Keith watched the dark red liquid starting to ooze from his arm down the tube and into the bag beside him.

‘You enjoy your job, then?’

‘Oh yes, sir.’

Silence.

‘No thoughts of retiring, then.’ hoping after he’d said it that the nurse wouldn’t take offence at what might be seen as an ageist comment.

‘Oh no, sir. I’ll never retire.’

Silence again. Keith gave up and closed his eyes.

He must have dozed for a few minutes as the icy hands of the nurse removing the needle startled him.

‘All over, then. Have I given my armful? Can I go and have my tea, now?’

‘Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.’

Keith stood up, rolled down his shirt sleeve, and began to make his way back to the main room.

As Keith turned to say goodbye, the nurse was cupping the bag of Keith’s blood in the palms of his hands, as though to warm them.

‘Goodbye, sir, and thank you, and see you next time.’ the nurse said with a glint in his eye, some colour in his cheeks, warmth in his voice, and the faintest of smiles about his thin lips which sent a shiver down Keith’s spine.