I spent all of my twenties working as a clerk in a public hospital in Jamaica. There were patients and staff that rated from AAA+ to the downright rude and ill mannered. Over the years there were some patients that got to know some of us the workers very well. We also got to know some patients very well.
On reflection I think that the nicest set of patients visiting the hospital were those that were mentally challenged. These patients most times endeavored to be on their best behavior and were very proper and pleasant, at least most times.
One day I was walking on the hospital compound with a female friend that I was trying very hard to impress when we were blocked by a mentally challenged female that we both knew. She proceeded to question me by asking "Where is it that I know you from?"
"No, you do not know me," I responded.
"Yes I know you from somewhere," she insisted.
"No, you do not know me," I said
Then she blurted out "Yes, now I remember. You were my friend when both of us were patients at Bellevue Hospital."
(Bellevue Hospital is the institution that houses and treats the mentally challenged).
It is needless to say my female friend really cracked up when she said that.
On another day I was in the town square when I was effectively cornered by a mentally challenged man. He was a patient of the hospital and that was how we knew each other.
"Give me a money" loudly he demanded.
"I do not have any money" I calmly and truthfully responded.
"Hey boy leave the man alone," a passer by shouted at the mentally challenged man.
"Go away, can't you see that I am talking to my friend," the mentally man shouted back at the passer by.
Turning back to me again he demanded "Give me a money".
"I do not have any money," again I responded.
"Okay then," the mentally man said.
Both my hands were occupied and before I had any idea of what he was about to do he dropped a coin in my shirt pocket and sped off.
(From time to time I remember this incident and wonder which of us was really mentally challenged).
