Lillian picked me up along with my sister Judi, who has now joined us in Toronto, and off we headed to do a reading at the Toronto Public Library. I had been contacted many months ago by Pam, who asked if I would read there. She seemed very excited to have me come to Toronto and when I first got to the city, I had called her to let her know I was here and to ask if she needed anything. I was looking forward to meeting her in person, as she seemed so pleased I was reading at her library.
"Hello, is Pam here?" I asked the woman behind the counter.
"Pam is at a Branch Heads Meeting. She is not here."
"When will she be back?"
"I don't know. Ann will know."
Ann looked over at me. "She's not coming back. She's ill. Come back tomorrow. She may be here by then."
"No, you don't understand. I am supposed to be doing a reading here tonight."
"Oh, you are?" Shades of Edmonton.
"Yes, see this poster. That's me." I pointed to one of the posters displayed on the counter announcing my reading.
"Oh," answered Library Lady, "then you are reading downstairs. Do you need any help setting up?"
"Well, can you please show me where downstairs is?"
And so it goes. We set up the chairs and organized the room, and away we went.
We had about five times as many people as we had at Edmonton for a rousing crowd of just under ten. But it was a good group, one that was interested and afterwards asked many great questions. So overall, it was a good reading, even though the attendance was somewhat sparse. Library Lady gave me a wonderful, heartfelt introduction, telling everyone how sex-i-ful I was (she had a European accent and she really meant successful, but I like sexiful).
Sometimes there are big crowds, sometimes very small crowds - well, crowd would hardly be the correct word, really - but they are always very good crowds. Even if just one person comes, it is worth doing something. Last night there were several young women whom I did not know, and I believe they were pleased that they came; I spoke with each of them individually. It is a privilege to be able to do this, really. That interaction with people is one of the reasons I love being a physician, and that's why I love being an author, albeit an unknown author, who has the opportunity to connect with readers.
Last night I got a chance to embrace both roles. After the reading, Lillian, Judi, Anita, a friend from Winnipeg in the 60's, and I went out for dinner. We were just finishing up a delicious repast when we heard a noise.
"He's seizing," Anita said and pointed to a man from the next table who had narrowly missed her chair while falling to the ground. I immediately went into doctor mode. The man was completely unconscious, but after a few minutes, he came to, however slightly. I did what was appropriate first aid as we waited for the paramedics. Once they came, I gave them my report and we left the restaurant. I came in an author, left a doctor, and now am both again. By the time I left, the gentleman was fully conscious and was going off in the ambulance to be checked out. I do appreciate one's multiple roles in life and was glad I was in a position to help. The tour continues.
No comments:
Post a Comment