18 May 2021
The suspense must have been killing you. Apologies for not finishing the episode sooner. I wanted to wait until all the evidence was in before saying anything.
And after a few days, all the evidence may be said to be in.
Alice picked Joyce up at probably the worst time of day possible. Just as the caravan of SUVs was arriving on our block to pick up the kids getting out of school up the block.
A bit confused herself, Alice tried to escape by turning back against the traffic on the one way street before joining the parade and inching up the street.
She was beaming.
Still they were early for the appointment.
Joyce had her toenails cut and the thickened ones ground back down to resemble normal ones. She had a massage and moisturizing session as well. No polish though. Not even clear.
It took less than half an hour and cost her $20, not including a tip.
She'd already gotten home by the time I returned from a trip to the market to pick up a few staples (which was not what I had planned).
She was beaming.
There was no more pain in her feet when she wore shoes, she said, and she was able to walk more comfortably. An immediate improvement.
I saw it for myself later that day and can confirm it was just what the doctor ordered.
And now she has a place to go once a month (she calculated) to keep them in shape. (Thank you, Alice!)
A few days later she was still happy with them so she canceled the appointment with the out-of-network podiatrist that would have required us to print and fill out a ream of documents for a consultation.
If she needs a podiatrist, she can use a Kaiser podiatrist now. She doesn't need her toenails cut by a podiatrist after all.
Once in a while, you win one.