Certainly Sensible

by Pamela Woods-Jackson

  Chapter Seventeen

  Susan was running on adrenaline. She’d never gotten back to sleep after Emily’s phone call, so at first light she got up and got ready to make the drive to Chicago. She tossed her handbag in her car’s passenger seat, concern for Allie’s health weighing heavily on her mind. Megan followed her out, Honey skipping playfully alongside.

  “Mom, when will you be back? I want to go to the mall this afternoon.”

  Susan gave her daughter a quick hug and got into the driver’s seat. She adjusted the rearview mirror and checked the gas gauge. “Not today, Megan, unless you can get Caroline to take you. By the time I get to Chicago, get Allie loaded up and start back, I’ll probably hit evening rush hour. Did you feed the dog?”

  “Yes, I fed her,” Megan groaned in that juvenile tone Susan hated.

  “Then if there’s nothing else, I’ve got to go. I need to get gas, which means I’ll be even later getting on the freeway. If you need anything, call Caroline.” Susan got into the car and waved at Megan as she drove off.

  She’d left early enough in the morning that she made good time to Chicago, especially since she was driving about eight miles over the speed limit all the way. It was noontime, when most people were at their offices, so Susan easily found a parking space in front of Emily’s condo building. Emily let her in with a worried look on her face.

  “Susan, I’m so glad you’re here,” Emily told her with a quick hug, as she waved her up the stairs to the guest room.

  Susan opened the door and gasped. Allie looked terrible, extremely pale and thinner than usual. But what worried Susan the most was that her eyes had that dull, glassy look she always got as a child when she was running a fever.

  Susan went to her daughter and hugged her while feeling her forehead. “Allie, why didn’t you call and tell me you were this sick?”

  “I don’t know,” Allie groaned. “I didn’t want to worry you.” She gently massaged her right side and winced. “It’s probably just the flu.”

  “This isn’t flu season, Allie. Any other symptoms besides the pain and fever?”

  Allie shook her head and lay back down on the bed with a groan. Susan wasted no time gathering up her daughter’s clothes and throwing them in the open suitcase on the floor. Emily took her cue from Susan’s urgency and went to the bathroom to collect Allie’s toiletries.

  “Emily,” Susan called out, “I need to get Allie to a doctor.”

  “Do you want to take her to an emergency room here in Chicago?”

  “Maybe I should drive her back to Belford and take her to St. Mary’s where her dad’s insurance will pay.”

  “Stop talking about me like I’m not here,” Allie said.

  “All right.” Susan closed the suitcase and turned to her daughter. “Do you think you can make the drive back to Indianapolis, or shall I take you to a hospital here in Chicago?”

  Allie forced herself to a sitting position on the edge of the bed and slid into her sandals. “Take me home.”

  “Wait here,” Susan told Allie. She picked up the bag and carried it out to her car, Emily right behind her. Susan locked the bag in the trunk while Emily arranged a pillow in the back seat.

  “Susan, I’m really sorry. I thought Allie was just being dramatic about her breakup with Mark. If I’d known she was this sick…”

  “Don’t blame yourself, Em. You had no way of knowing, especially if Allie didn’t want you to. I’ll call you from the hospital when I get a diagnosis.” Susan saw the worried look on Emily’s face. “Please don’t feel guilty. You’ve been a great friend.”

  Emily and Susan went back inside and helped Allie walk down the stairs, one on each side of her. Susan was alarmed at how weak her daughter appeared to be.

  “When was the last time you ate anything?” Susan asked her.

  “Yesterday.” If possible, Allie looked even sicker at the mere thought of food. “Some soup, I think.”

  They got her settled into the back seat of the car, seatbelt loosely fastened, her head propped on the pillow. Susan jumped behind the wheel and waved goodbye to Emily as she sped off.

  She managed to avoid the worst of the Chicago traffic getting out of town. Once she was on I-65 in Indiana, despite knowing she shouldn’t use her phone while driving, she pulled it out of her bag, scrolled down the list, and found Dr. Li’s office number. She pressed CALL, set it next to her on speaker, and waited for a receptionist to pick up.

  “Hello, this is Susan Benedict, and I’m calling for my daughter Allison. We’re driving back to Indianapolis from Chicago, and Allison is quite ill.” She paused to let the receptionist pull up Allie’s chart. “She has a fever, no appetite, and abdominal pain. No, I’m sorry, I didn’t think to check her actual temperature. Yes, I’ll hold.”

  She waited several minutes, trying to keep an eye on Allie sleeping fitfully in the back seat, and watch the road at the same time.

  “Yes, I’m here. Okay, thank you, I’ll do that.”

  Next she pressed Caroline on speed dial. Voice mail. With a groan, Susan left Caroline a message, telling her that Allie’s illness was real and they were headed to St. Mary’s Hospital in Indianapolis, expecting to arrive about five o’clock. Susan disconnected the phone and concentrated on her driving. She glanced back at Allie. The speed limit was sixty-five but she set the cruise control at seventy-three and hoped for the best.

  A little more than two hours and no speeding ticket later, Susan pulled into a parking spot in front of St. Mary’s Emergency Room. Her back ached, and her foot was cramped from pressing so hard on the accelerator.

  “Allie, are you awake? We’re at the hospital.” Susan helped ease her out of the car, through the automatic glass doors and into the nearest chair. She proceeded to the reception desk and spoke to a nurse inside. “This is my daughter, Allison Benedict, a patient of Dr. Tina Li. I think you’re expecting her?”

  The nurse thumbed through some files on her desk. “Yes, the doctor’s office called. Dr. Li wishes to be notified as soon as Allison’s been examined by the ER doctor.”

  Susan felt a wave of relief as the nurse got a wheelchair to take Allie back to the examining rooms. She sank into a chair, exhausted and worried, and pulled out her phone to dial Caroline again, who picked up this time.

  “Caroline, hi, we’re at St. Mary’s and the nurse has taken Allie back to see the ER doctor. Is Megan okay?”

  “Mom, just how sick is Allie? Do I need to come to the hospital? And yes, Megan’s fine, just a little mad that I didn’t take her to the mall.”

  Susan was exhausted and could certainly have used Caroline’s help, but she hesitated. “Until they figure out what’s wrong with her, there’s really nothing you can do here. Just stay with Megan and I’ll call you when I know more.”

  “Mom, Brandon called me this afternoon, checking on Allie again, and I told him how sick she was. He’s been calling every hour since.”

  Susan sighed. “I don’t think Allie will be playing piano for a few days, but if he calls again, tell him—well, I don’t know what to tell him. Caroline, I have to go, the nurse is here.”

  “Mrs. Benedict, it appears your daughter has an inflamed appendix and the doctor’s advising surgery. I called Dr. Li and she’s on her way.” The nurse paused to let the news sink in. “We need you to go around to Admissions and fill out some paperwork. Allison already signed the consent forms, so we’ll be prepping her for surgery shortly.”

  Susan suddenly regretted telling Caroline not to come. Right now she felt so alone and completely helpless. She walked numbly toward Admissions, took a number, and had a seat in the waiting area. Nearly an hour later, the admissions clerk finally called her to the counter.

  “Hello, I’m Allison Benedict’s mother, and the doctor is advising surgery. Appendicitis, I think.” Susan fumbled nervously in her purse. “I don’t have her insurance card with me. Can you go ahead and start the paperwork?”

  “Not without your card,” the woman said.<
br />
  Susan tried to push down her fear and frustration. “But this is an emergency. I’m sure when I get home…”

  “Ms. Benedict, we cannot admit your daughter to St. Mary’s without proof of insurance. If you’d like to take her to Wishford…”

  Susan cringed at the thought of taking her daughter to the hospital for the uninsured in downtown Indianapolis. “Allison’s father is CEO of Truitt Wellness Corporation here in Belford. Daniel Benedict. Perhaps you’ve heard of him?”

  The woman narrowed her eyes at Susan. “Yes, of course we’ve heard of him,” she said. “But we can’t just take your word for it. We need proof of insurance.”

  “Fine. I’ll call him.”

  Susan had to stop and think a moment to remember Daniel’s office number, and then she realized it was late in the day. She said a silent prayer that Daniel and his assistant were still there. Otherwise she’d be forced to call Sharlene to get Daniel’s cell number, and she doubted that conversation would go well. Susan groaned as she listened to a recorded speech and was electronically offered several options to push. “Daniel Benedict please,” she said, once a human finally came on the line. Some clicking noises were followed by an interminable wait as generic music played in the background. Susan tapped her foot impatiently.

  “Mr. Benedict’s office. May I help you?”

  Susan breathed a sigh of relief, glad she didn’t get his voice mail. “Chloe, this is Susan Benedict. I need to speak to Daniel immediately.”

  “Just a moment, Susan, I’ll see if he’s available,” said the well-trained Chloe.

  “Chloe,” Susan cut in, “you tell Daniel this is an emergency. His daughter Allison is at St. Mary’s in need of surgery, and they won’t admit her without proof of insurance.” Chloe put her on hold.

  Almost immediately Daniel was on the line. “What’s this about Allie?”

  “Daniel, thank goodness. Allie has appendicitis and needs surgery, but they—” she said loudly, looking at the admissions clerk “—need your insurance information.”

  Susan turned to the clerk. “He wants to speak to you.” She handed the woman her cell.

  She saw the woman scribbling numbers on a pad and furiously entering information into her computer. “Yes, Mr. Benedict, I have it all now. Thank you.” She hung up the phone and handed it back to Susan. “It’s all been taken care of, Ms. Benedict. I’ll notify the ER that they can move her up to surgery when they’re ready. And Mr. Benedict says he’s on his way.”

  “Thank you.” Susan turned on her heel and stormed off.

  Sheer exhaustion threatened to overtake her. It had been a long, frightening day after a sleepless night, and she was bone-weary. She leaned back in the chair in the surgery waiting area and closed her eyes. From nowhere, she felt an arm around her shoulders. She opened her eyes to see Patrick sitting next to her.

  “Hi,” she said in surprise.

  “Hi, yourself. I thought you could use some moral support.”

  “How did you even know I was here?”

  Patrick gave her shoulders a squeeze, and Susan felt the comfort she’d been missing.

  “Caroline,” Patrick told her.

  Susan smiled. “Caroline. Of course. Always looking out for everyone else.”

  Patrick looked into Susan’s exhausted face. “I’m here to offer any help I can.”

  “Just having a friend is help enough.” Susan leaned into his arms. “I’ve been really scared, Patrick. Allie is so sick.”

  “I know what it’s like to wait helplessly in a hospital.” He pulled her closer to him, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

  ****

  Caroline rushed into the surgery waiting room, found her mother, and threw her arms around her. “Are you okay?”

  Susan nodded. “I am now that you’re here.”

  “I called a few people,” Caroline said. “And they all wanted to come. To be here for Allie, and for you.” Caroline tilted her head toward Brandon.

  “Patrick’s here, thanks to you,” Susan said. “He just stepped out, offered to get me some magazines, like that’s going to distract me.” She searched the waiting room. “Where’s Megan?”

  “I sent her to the cafeteria for coffee and sandwiches, which Dad paid for,” Caroline hurried to add. “Did you remember to call Emily?”

  “Yes, I called her about an hour ago. She was concerned about Allie, but not surprised, considering the symptoms.”

  “So Patrick’s getting reading material, Megan’s gone for food, and I saw Dad heading over to the finance office.” Caroline was relieved when her mother finally allowed a smile to creep onto her face. “Is there anything I can do for you, Mom?”

  Susan eyed Brandon and lowered her voice. “Maybe distract poor Brandon. He looks sicker than Allie.”

  Brow furrowed, Brandon paced back and forth between the lounge area and the water fountain in the hall, watching anxiously every time a door opened.

  Caroline went over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. “Brandon, it’s okay. Allie’s in good hands.”

  “Oh, I know,” he said, but the grim look quickly returned to his face as he went back to pacing.

  Caroline admired Brandon’s brave face, but until they had word about Allie, there was nothing else she could do for him. So she went back and sat down next to her mother. “Dad called Sharlene,” Caroline said as she stretched her legs out and rested her head on the back of the plastic chair. “She expressed as much concern as she’s capable of, I guess, but only after she let Dad have it for not showing up to some cocktail party.”

  Caroline’s cell rang and she glanced at the caller ID. “Richard?”

  “Hey, Caroline, Sharlene called me. She said Allie’s sick. What’s up?”

  Caroline sighed. “Appendicitis. She’s in surgery right now. But don’t worry about the office, I’ll…”

  “The office can wait. Take care of your family. I just wish I could be there with you, but Las Vegas is a long way from Indianapolis.”

  As surprised as Caroline was that Sharlene had bothered to notify her brother about Allie’s illness, she appreciated Richard taking time from his vacation to check in. “Thanks for calling, Richard. I’ll keep in touch.” She disconnected the phone and stood silent a few moments before replacing it in her pocket.

  Megan appeared, juggling several cups of hot coffee, half a dozen plastic-wrapped sandwiches, and a bakery bag. “Someone take this stuff!”

  Caroline and Brandon both rushed over to help her, grabbing the drinks just as one of the cups of hot coffee was about to tip over.

  “Thanks.” Megan carefully set everything else down on a nearby coffee table. “I got some with cream and sugar and some black. I didn’t know what anyone wanted.”

  “You did fine, Megs,” Caroline assured her with a hug.

  “There’s sandwiches—mystery meat, vegetarian, whatever. They don’t look too great, but I also bought some cookies that looked okay.”

  “I’m sure Mom’s hungry, Megan, and who knows when anyone else ate. Thanks for doing this.” Caroline got busy sorting out the sandwiches, cookies, and coffee, along with napkins and stir-sticks, so that everyone could help themselves.

  Megan stood silently by as her sister took over her task. Finally she went and sat down next to her mother, arms folded across her chest, a scowl on her face.

  After what seemed an interminable wait, Dr. Li came out. Susan hurried over, followed closely by Caroline and Brandon. Daniel ambled across the floor and leaned against the hall door.

  “Allison came through the surgery just fine,” Dr. Li told them, “but she’s going to be in recovery for several hours. It might be better if everyone went home. It’s too soon for her to have visitors anyway.”

  “I’m not leaving,” Susan announced. “I’m staying until Allie’s awake, and I can see for myself that she’s okay. Caroline, why don’t you take Megan home?”

  “I’m not leaving either,” Brandon said, planting his feet fir
mly, fists clenched at his sides.

  “Oh, Brandon, that’s not necessary,” Susan said.

  Brandon shook his head. “No, I’m staying.”

  “Do you want me to stay awhile longer?” Patrick asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.

  “You were so kind to come, Patrick, but I’ll be fine.” Susan gave his arm a squeeze, slowly relinquishing it.

  “Well, Susan, it seems you have plenty of support, and Sharlene’s texting me, so…” Daniel shrugged.

  Susan eyed Daniel warily. “Thank you for helping out with…everything.”

  “I think I’ll go on home and check back tomorrow,” he said, yawning. “Caroline? What about you?”

  “I’m taking Megan home, like Mom said. By the way, have you seen her?” Caroline looked around the waiting room when she realized she hadn’t seen Megan in quite some time.

  Daniel stretched his shoulders. “No, not for a couple of hours.”

  Caroline was concerned. “Where would she go?” she muttered under her breath. Her mom had enough to worry about, so she didn’t mention to her that Megan was missing. Instead, she went down the hall and checked the women’s restroom, but there was no sign of Megan. Next she walked down to the far end of the hall and searched the other waiting area. It was completely empty, and the TV wasn’t even on, so no one had been in there for a while. She went over to the gift shop in case Megan was window-shopping, but she wasn’t there either.

  Caroline checked the wall clock and realized how late it was. Where’s Megan? She sent her a text but got no reply. Caroline thought about all the chaos during the evening surrounding Allie’s surgery, and realized she didn’t know how or when her fifteen-year-old sister had gone missing. Just as she was about to call security, it hit her. Patrick was there for Mom, I was consoling Brandon while he was pacing the floor, and Dad spent his time reading The Wall Street Journal. Megan must have felt scared and ignored. Megan had a habit of hiding when she was upset and an idea occurred to Caroline.

  “Dad!” Caroline caught up to Daniel as he was heading out the main entrance. “I still can’t find Megan. I thought maybe…” Caroline’s eyes darted around, scouting out her youngest sister. “Oh, thank goodness, there she is!” She pointed to Megan, leaning against the passenger door of Daniel’s car.