Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Ruth Deming

  • Better than booze

    Ruth DemingWillow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States The following is a work of fiction. “Mom, Laura’s invited me to sleep over? Can I go?” “Sure, Lisa. Just make sure you’ve done your homework.” “I finished it.” Laura Kennedy was my best friend since childhood. We lived next door to one another in the wealthy community of…

  • Washer of the dead

    Ruth DemingWillow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States Dead bodies were nothing new to Sarah Washington. As a registered nurse, she peacefully viewed the stunning poses of the dead at her first job, a suburban hospital that closed shortly after she was hired. God had chosen her, she was assured, as she closed the eyes of an…

  • Sugar High and Low

    Ruth DemingWillow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States On one of the hottest Augusts on record my daughter and I sat mopping our brows in the famous White Dog café. We had walked from Thirtieth Street Station in Philadelphia to this, our occasional meeting place. She was from Brooklyn and was my closest confidante. From my backpack,…

  • Since I could not stop death, he kindly stopped for me

    Ruth DemingWillow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States Never were two sisters as close as Lori and I. It hardly mattered we were married and had our husbands, our passel of kids, and each earned a nice living at our jobs. Lori owned a string of nail salons in suburban Philadelphia called “Lorelei’s” while I was co-owner…

  • Letter to Johnny from Clara Barton

    Ruth DemingWillow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States July 15, 1865 (four months to the day after President Lincoln was shot) Dear Johnny, I am tired. Dog tired. At your behest, I am sending this hastily scribbled note. I am sending this to your aunt’s address so your wife will not get suspicious. Nothing could be worse…