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Going To The School Nurse In 1977

Treatment was simpler back then.

By John R. GodwinPublished about 7 hours ago 2 min read
Going To The School Nurse In 1977
Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash

"Yes, we're having TV dinners tonight Frank."

"I want Turkey Dinner, but I don't want the cranberry compote. Are you having the Salisbury Steak, Alice?"

"Yes, Frank."

"Can you trade me your brownie dessert for the cranberry compote? I don't like the cranberry compote, Alice."

"Yes, Frank. I'll trade you the brownie dessert for the cranberry compote. Hold on a minute, Frank...Come in Anna!"

"I cut my knee in gym class Nurse Peterson."

"Have you had a B.M. today, Anna?"

"Um. I cut my knee, Nurse Pete..."

"Anna. Answer the question, please."

"Um. No, I haven't had a B.M. today?"

"Go try."

"But Nurse Peter..."

"Go try sweetie. You'll feel better."

"Yes, Nurse Peterson."

"I'm back Frank. I was thinking about that thing at your work. Tell them you won't...Frank?...Frank?...Hello?...Oh Geez Louise."

"Hyello?"

"Why did you hang up on me Frank?"

"I thought you hung up on me, Alice."

"Frank, tell them you won't..."

"Alan said I should..."

"Frank, listen to me. If Alan told you to jump off the Tallahassee Bridge with Billie Joe McAllister, would you?"

"No, but that's not the poin...."

"Frank, if you want to get anywhere in this world you need to be more...oh, hold on!"

"Did you have a B.M. Anna?"

"No, Nurse Peterson."

"Sit down there, Anna. Frank, I have to call you back."

"Ok bye."

"Ok Anna. Lift up your leg...This is going to sting a little."

"Mmmmmmmm...owwww...."

"Don't whine Anna. Your sister never whines when she comes in here. She has such pretty red hair. My grandson has red hair."

"But it stings."

"I told you it would sting, didn't I, Anna? You won't need stitches. Here's a Band-Aid. You must be more careful Anna...like your sister. Do you hear me?"

"Yes Nurse Peterson."

"Here's your hall pass. Anna."

"Bye Nurse Peterson."

"Goodbye Anna."

"Hyello?"

"Frank, tell them you won't do it. You've been there for seven years and...

"Nurse Peterson?"

"Oh, for Pete's sake. Frank, I have to go."

"Pete? Pete who? Wha...?"

"Wait, Frank! Pick up a carton of Pall Malls on your way home. Get them at Read's. Don't spend more than five dollars or it's a ripoff. Do you hear me, Frank? No more than five dollars! Bye Frank."

"Goodb..."

"Come in David."

"I have a headache Nurse Peterson."

"Have you had a B.M today, David?"

"I have a headac...."

"Have...you...had...a B.M. today, David?"

"No, Nurse Peterson."

"Go try. "You'll feel better."

"Ok, Nurse Peterson."

"Did you have a B.M. David?

"Yes, Nurse Peterson."

"Do you feel better?"

"Kind of, but I still have a headache."

"Well, I'm glad the B.M. helped. Here, sweetie, take this aspirin."

"Ok Nurse Peterson."

"Here's your hall pass David."

"Bye Nurse Peterson."

"Throw your paper cup in the trashcan David. Is someone else waiting?"

"Yes, Nurse Peterson."

"Come in Charles. What's the matter?"

"Daryl Klein knocked me over when we were playing kickball at recess and I hit my elbow. Now it's all swollen."

"Oh that Daryl Klein is a holy terror."

"My elbow really hurts Nurse."

"Yes, sweetie. I understand. Have you had a B.M. today?"

HumorShort Story

About the Creator

John R. Godwin

Sifting daily through the clutter of my mind trying to create something beautiful.

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Comments (3)

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  • Dharrsheena Raja Segarranabout 6 hours ago

    Hey, um, what's a B.M? 😅😅

  • Sandy Gillmanabout 7 hours ago

    Lol! I'm guessing you don't need much training to make sure everyone has a B.M

  • Harper Lewisabout 7 hours ago

    Omg, that is so on point! I graduated from high school in 1990. You?

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