Issue 15
Risk
Rhoda Novak
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Passing Chemistry Lab
We lined up by the front slate table, picking up the test tubes. I added the reagent, holding the container as if it contained dynamite. Walking to my lab table, I made sure not to bump anyone. Very slowly I shook the tube once and looked at it.
John was at the next bench, vigorously shaking his sample. "Look, I'm up to twenty and nothing happened. If you're scared, you'll never finish the experiment," he said.
I shook it ten times and looked. Still clear as water. I continued to shake it, waiting breathlessly for the red color to appear. Doug and Fred were daring each other. Doug sang "The Banana Boat" song, shaking the tube vigorously with each "Day-o." Fred did the Twist as he shook his test tube.
I looked down. Finally my liquid had changed to red. I wrote down my results
in my black lab book and took a deep breath.
~Rhoda Novak
Rhoda Novak passed chemistry and designs satellite ground systems, a far
safer profession. This story is an excerpt from her memoir. Email.
© 2004 by Rhoda Novak. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2004 by Cayuse Press. All Rights Reserved.