Page 19 - The Jazzsipper Novel

22

THE JAZZ SIPPER

As she was leaving the room she instructed the nursing student, Regina to
record Vance’s blood pressure and temperature. As Regina began recording
the information Vance asked her what area of the city she was from, she
replied that she was from the Lakefront area of the city. Vance knew that area
was one of the richest parts of the city to live in. But, before Vance could say
anything Regina said, “I know what you are thinking, you think my family is
rich,” Vance just smiled and said yeah. I was kind of thinking that. Regina said,
no we are not rich we are just a little better off.

Regina then said, since we are asking questions, what happened to you? I
was shot Vance said. No, I know you were shot, but what happened, who shot
you Regina asked. Vance said he was in the wrong place at the wrong time,
it was the life he was living, and Regina smiled and said you mean it’s the life
you’re choosing to live. At that moment Vance realized that Regina was
somebody he wanted to know more about, she seemed wise and street savvy
but lady like. As Regina was leaving the room she turned around and told
Vance to think about what she had said, it’s the life you’re choosing to live.
Vance thought about Regina and her statement the rest of the night. He
wished he had asked her for her telephone number so he could let her know
who he really was and what his real aspirations were. Even though Vance
was in pain he would tell the night nurse he wasn’t, he didn’t want to take the
pain medicine and fall off into a deep nod and miss seeing Regina when she
came back the next day. He never felt this nervous about seeing a girl that he
liked before, but something inside of him, told him that Regina was different.
He thought about John Coltrane cut, A Love Supreme. He could hear the
melody and the lyrics playing over and over in his head. A Love Supreme, A
Love Supreme, over and over again.