Mum Is About To Cause A Bloodbath

I used to have severe nosebleeds. When I say severe, I was hospitalised seven times and had to have two blood transfusions.

After several nasal cauteries between the ages of five and seven, they finally dropped down to four to five times a year and were much lighter in severity.

This story happened when I was eleven or twelve. I was out shopping with my mum when I felt the familiar feeling of blood running down my face. I pinched my nose and turned to the nearest shop worker.

Me: “Excuse me, do you have a toilet?”

Worker: “No, I’m so sorry, it’s staff only. I can run and get you some tissue, or you can use the public toilet downstairs?”

Me: *Already running away.* “I’ll use the toilet, thank you!”

I get to the escalators and start going down before I realise my mum isn’t with me. I turn around to see her still talking to the shop worker.

Mum: “That is unacceptable. You cannot make an exception for a child with a medical condition?”

Worker: “No, ma’am, it’s against shop policy.”

Me: *Trying and failing to walk back up the down escalator.* “Mum, come on!”

Mum: “That’s absolutely ridiculous. How is that safe? You’re just being cruel.”

Worker: “Ma’am, I am not in control of that policy.”

Mum: *Throwing the shoes she was holding on the floor.* “Well, you’ve just lost a sale.”

Me: “Mum, leave it! I need help.”

With blood now dripping down my arm and onto the floor, I turn around and just start running to the toilet. By the time my mum catches up, the bleeding has stopped, and I’m cleaning a substantial amount of blood off my face with the help of a lovely nurse who just happened to be in the bathroom.

Mum: “What a rude woman. I can’t believe she didn’t help you!”

I just gave her a look and spat out some blood that ran down my throat. I didn’t say anything, being a kid, but I do wish I’d gone back and apologised to that poor worker who was just doing her job.