Bloodshed at Riverside Station

 We got up early, packed into the car. Set off for Boston. One of our favorite places. We took our engagement photos in Boston, venture here from time to time just for Mike’s Pastries. We’ve come for many an opening day, wandering down Yawkey Way and now respectively Jersey Street. 

Matt drove us out, my dad sat in the passenger seat. We got there early and wandered in. It didn’t feel the way it had before, the vibe was different. We sat through the first six innings, it was a good game. Definitely exciting since the first pitch was a home run. And Boston didn’t disappoint.

We decided to leave early because the T isn’t fully-operational, so they shuttle you by bus as well. Matt didn’t feel well, and he lost his balance and tripped walking to Fenway Station. He got back up, my dad and I brushed him off. All seemed well and we continued, boarded the T and started towards the car. Matt was so quiet, and as we approached Riverside Station, he texted me that his bag was full of blood and he was scared to change it. 

We got to the car, got his supplies ready, stripped off his Jersey. And I could see the blood under his colostomy already leaking through. He starts yelling at me. And I remind myself he doesn’t mean to. He’s panicking. We experience this more often than we’d like. But, it’s not something we have completely learned to master. 

While I tried to calm him down as he became saturated in blood, I became aware of the blood splatter all over me. Dad ran for something else to stop the bleeding as we used the last of the tissues and napkins we had. He returned with paper towels. After a few minutes the bleeding slowed and we threw out his undershirt, cleaned up the best we could and packed into the car. 

My dad is driving us out of the city we love. A day that already felt a little off, feels exhausting now. As we pull out of Riverside Station I glance back at the massive bloodstains on the pavement. A reminder of the battles to come. 

We had a good day, with a rough ending. But, it didn’t take away from the feeling of Fenway. The feeling of knowing we can overcome most obstacles, the reminder how imperative it is to keep calm. 

So there was smiles on Jersey Street and Bloodshed at Riverside Station. That’s life. The good comes with the bad.