Blindman's Blue

It's almost midnight when the deputy wakes me up. For a brief moment, I think he is telling me that I am leaving again. Instead, he asks me to translate for a CHinese detainee who is having some medical issues.

The Chinese detainee is having stomach problems. He can't hold down any food and the excruciating stomach pains are keeping him up all night. The medicine that he gets over the counter only provided him with temporary relief. He says he need a different diet because he's from northern China.

I tell him to tell the doctor what he wants, but he says the translator over the telephone is not able to relate his need ot the doctor. He says not knowing the English language is like a blindman in prison. He can't wait to go back to China.

The deputy is able to provide him with the relief he needs until he sees the doctor in the morning. He's lucky the deputy is a generous one.