by Sandra Cox
Inching the door open a crack, she risked a peek out. The nurse stood by the bed looking at the nightstand. “I know I left it here somewhere,” she muttered. “Haven’t seen it have you, handsome? Aw there it is.” She picked up an ink pen. “Can’t fill out the charts without an ink pen and you wouldn’t believe how strict this hospital is with supplies. You be good, handsome.”
Maureen waited ’til she heard the door swing shut and stepped out. She walked to the bed took his hand in hers and felt a light quiver run through him. “Quite the flirt, aren’t you, handsome?” She smiled at him then grimaced as the sluggish oozing feeling started seeping into her veins. “Think I’ll sit this one out.” She sank down into the chair, leaned her head on the back of the orange upholstery and wrapped her hand around his. “Just hold on, Jack.” She closed her eyes.
This time there were no plastic gloves to stop the poison’s progress. The vicious substance moved through her attacking her muscles. It took everything in her not to pull her hand back. I want it to stop, she whimpered inside her head. She could feel the hard-muscled tones of her body melting together. Her mouth sagged and she was helpless to prevent the pool of saliva that formed at the corner and dribbled down her chin. Oh, God, I hate this. Poor Jack, what he must have suffered, aware that you are nothing but a drooling puddle of humanity.
The poison seemed to be gathering and building as if preparing for an attack. Her breath came in shallow gasps as it coursed harder and faster through her body. She felt Jack’s hand twitch in hers as if he would pull free. With all her remaining strength she held onto his hand. A toddler probably has more strength. Feeling as if a weight sat on her head, she forced herself to turn and look at him, her vision blurry. “Don’t let go,” she whispered then fell down a long dark tunnel into oblivion.
Voices came as if from a long way off. “Now sugar, I know you don’t want to hurt her but it’s better for her if you get this over with while she’s passed out.” Maureen felt Bella pick up her and Jack’s hands and hold them together. She jerked as the poison entered her system.
Jack tried to break contact but Bella’s gripped tightened.
“I hate doing this to her. And I’m better.” The voice sounded raspy with an echo of a mellow deep timber. Jack?
“Sure you are, sugar but you’re not good enough to make it out under your own steam and we need to break you out of here.”
“I’ll make it up to her. First she saves my horse and now she saves me.”
“Hm. Doesn’t appear to be very pleasant does it? Being a bit of a hedonist, I’m glad I just have to deal with creativity and beauty. I’m not sure I’d want to go through the constant drain of healing.”
“Thanks for cheering me up.” Jack’s raspy voice held a dry tone.
“That’s what I’m here for, sugar.”
Maureen felt her stomach cramp and her muscles slacken as the poison ran through her. Surely, he couldn’t have much left in his system.
She felt a sucking and popping course through her system as the last of the poison was pulled into the amulet.
“I’m sorry, baby.” Jack’s warm lips brushed her forehead.
The intensity of pain and discomfort began to lift, leaving her exhausted. She felt like a dead battery drained of all power. I’ll be lucky if I can walk out of here under my own steam.
As Jack pulled back his hand, Bella tightened her grip. “Don’t even think about,” Bella warned.
“She’s been a conduit for hours. And I’m okay.”
“You’re as weak as a kitten. And it’s nearly time for the blood suckers to make their rounds. As soon as Nurse Rachett comes on duty it’s over. Maureen can sleep off the effects in the car. And we’ll load her up with a big juicy steak and a hot fudge sundae.”
“She’s a vegetarian.”
“She needs protein. She’s going to eat meat if I have to cram it down her throat.”
“Sounds like a plan. Now let go of my hand.”
Bella complied. “What are you doing?”
Jack’s hand gently squeezed Maureen’s then let go.
“I’m okay. I’m not going to drain her anymore. Look at her. Her muscles are disintegrating before my eyes.” Hearing a ripping sound, Maureen tried to force her eyes open but just couldn’t do it. They felt glued shut.
“Stop that. You just can’t go tearing out your IVs.”
“Hand me my pants would you?”
“Have you heard a word I’ve said?”
Maureen tried to smile but couldn’t get her lips to move. She could picture Bella hands on hips, an exasperated expression on her face.
She’s right, Jack. Take what you need. I’ll be okay. But the words didn’t come. She let herself drift down into healing sleep, like a raft bobbing on an endless ocean, an occasional buzz of sound around her.
The lovely floating feeling was interrupted by a harsh squawking that sounded like an angry goose. “Miss Sinclair, what have you done with my patient?”
What do you mean what have I done with your patient?
“What’s wrong with you girl? Cat got your tongue?”
Maureen forced her sticky eyelids up a fraction. The nurse resembled an elephant swaying from side to side with her thick solid body, gray hair and grayish color skin. Maureen squinted. Maybe the nurse wasn’t swaying, maybe it was her blurry vision. She blinked to clear it. Sure enough, Nurse Brandon stood still.
Scowling, the nurse leaned over her. “You’ve got exactly two minutes to tell me where Dr. Wolfe is or I’m calling the police. “ She leaned closer. “What’s wrong with you? You look worse today than you did yesterday. But be that as it may, I must find my patient. Now what’s it going to be girl? Are you going to talk to me or the police?”
Maureen got a whiff of a cheap perfume and alcohol. Her cramping stomach rolled.
“Looking for me, Nurse Brandon?”
Maureen forced her heavy head over in the direction of the bathroom. Wow. I’ve got to pry my eyes open just a bit further.
His ankles crossed, his feet and chest bare, Jack stood leaning against the door jamb wearing only a smile and a pair of tight faded jeans with the top button undone. He’s got his muscle tone back. Afraid she’d begin to drool, Maureen forced her mouth to close.
“Praise the Lord. It’s a miracle.”
Maureen turned her head just in time to see Nurse Brandon fling her arms wide over her head, a look of exaltation on her plain square face. Well, better that theory than connecting her with the recovery. This is better than going to the movies. To bad I’m in no shape to appreciate it.
Her massive head swung back toward Maureen and her wide forehead wrinkled like corrugated cardboard. She tipped her head from side to side, studying Maureen. “Maybe we were wrong,” she muttered. “Maybe you had a virus. She seems to have caught whatever you had.” The nurse bent from the waist and picked up Maureen’s hand, which lay in hers like a dead fish. She let it go. Maureen’s hand dropped to the chair’s wooden armrest causing her to wince at the sharp prick of pain.
Jack stepped out of the bathroom. “Nurse Brandon, would you get my release papers? I’m signing myself out. Miss Tremaine went to get the car. She should be here any minute.”
The nurse swung her massive frame in Jack’s direction. “I’m sorry, I can’t allow that. You are going to have to wait ’til the doctor comes by. He won’t believe this.”
Jack walked to the locker and pulled out a wrinkled black polo shirt. “We have pressing business. And I’d like to get Ms. Sinclair home so she can see her own physician.”
Nurse Brandon’s glance switched to Maureen. “You can’t take her,” she said firmly. “She may be contagious.”
Jack straightened. His warm eyes grew cool and the skin covering his face muscles tightened. “You said I’d been poisoned. How do you make the leap that Ms. Sinclair has a virus?”
Nurse Brandon stood legs akimbo, arms crossed over her wide breast. “I don’t know whether Ms. Sinclair has a virus
or has been poisoned but I do know something decidedly odd is going on here and no one is leaving ’til we get to the bottom of it. Perhaps, we’d better call the police.”
Oh, great. Maureen could feel the amulet working but not fast enough to get her out of here under her own steam.
“We are leaving with or without your permission,” Jack ground out.
The nurse moved to the door and flung her arms out against the frame. “Over my dead body.”
“That could be arranged,” Jack muttered.
Maureen wanted to giggle but didn’t have the energy.
With exquisite timing, someone pushed against the door. The nurse stumbled forward into Jack’s arms.
“Oh my,” the stern featured nurse said as Bella slid in.
Jack’s arms tightened around the nurse as he looked at Bella and jerked his head toward Maureen.
“Nurse Brandon, have I ever told you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me?” Jack asked, turning on the charm.
She shook her head mutely.
“What did you say your first name was?”
“Donna,” she mumbled her tone breathless.
“Donna, would you mind walking me down the hall to help me get my strength back. Ms. Tremaine is here and she can stay with Ms. Sinclair.”
“Well…”
Jack opened the door and ushered her out. “You can explain to me why Ms. Sinclair needs to be quarantined. I probably just didn’t understand.” He looked over her head at Bella.
Bella nodded her understanding.
As the door pulled shut behind Jack and Nurse Brandon, Bella moved to Maureen. “Okay, sugar lips, we’ve got to get you on your feet.” Bella grunted as she heaved Maureen up.
Try, try, Maureen cried internally to her unresponsive legs. She could feel the stones working but the poison had taken its toll. It would be hours before she recovered. She managed to plant a foot on the floor before she crumbled, sliding through Bella’s hands. Bella had the presence of mind to aim her for the chair as she slipped through her fingers.
“Geez, sugar, you’re like trying to hold onto a bowl of Jell-O. How can such a slender little thing be so limp and slippery?”
Maureen’s head lolled back against the chair and she stared up at Bella. I’m sorry.
Bella gazed down at her. “Don’t worry, shug, we’ll figure something out. But it’s got to be quick.”
She pointed at Maureen, “Stay,” then flashed a quick grin and walked to the door.
Maureen tried to roll her eyes ended up blinking instead. Well at least they were moving, that was something. She could feel the stones fighting to break through her inertia.
She rolled her eyes toward Bella and watched her stick her head out the door.
“I’ll be right back.”
As the door swung shut, Maureen heard Bella say, “I’ll take that for you. No, it’s no problem.” A few minutes later the door opened again and Bella pushed in a wheelchair, her face flushed with triumph. “Where there’s a will…” She wheeled it up beside Maureen and heaved her up. “Come on, shug. Help me here.”
This time Maureen was able to push with both feet but the procedure left them both wheezing and she could feel her heart thumping against her ribs.
Bella explained in a somewhat breathless voice as she shoved open the door and wheeled Maureen out. “The little old lady across the hall had a gentleman caller about her age who wanted to go down to the cafeteria but couldn’t quite make it under his own steam. A friend of theirs just wheeled him back and I magnanimously offered to return the wheelchair.”
Maureen felt her lips twitching. I’m coming back. Slowly but I’m coming back.
They were almost at the elevator when Jack and Nurse Brandon rounded the corner. The nurse wore a simpering smile as Jack leaning heavily against her.
That is disgusting.
“Hey where are you going?” the nurse demanded.
“Busted,” Bella muttered under her breath.
Even the unflappable Bella seemed daunted by Nurse Brandon.
Bella laid a hand on Maureen’s shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. The warmth of her seeped through Maureen’s shirt and comforted. “Don’t worry, shug. One way or another I’ll get you out of here.”
I hope you aren’t considering the morgue as an option.
Jack seemed to stagger, no doubt trying to slow Nurse Brandon down so they could make a break for it but the nurse dragged him along like a ship pulling a tug boat, a woman on a mission.
“Nurse Brandon, just the person I wanted to see,” Bella said easily, causing Jack to stare at her and Maureen to roll her eyes in Bella’s direction.
“What is she doing out of that room?” Nurse Brandon shifted her shoulders and grimaced under Jack’s weight.
“I’m taking her down to admissions to check her in. I want to make sure all the Is are dotted and the Ts crossed. That’s proper procedure isn’t it?” She leaned forward, fluttering her eyelashes, her expression anxious.
“Yes but if she’s contagious…”
“Spoken like the healer you are, checking all possibilities. But don’t you think your first theory about poison is correct? Wasn’t it in Jack’s blood when you tested him?”
“Yes but it was blowfish poisoning and he hadn’t eaten blowfish. We pumped his stomach.”
Bella hung on Nurse Brandon’s every word then said, “But if it was a contagion you or one of the nurses or doctors would have been sick by now. I want my sister taken care of. We need to get to the bottom of this. Could you get a room ready for her while I go check her in?”
The nurse shifted her weight then gave a sharp nod. “All right. I’ll get Dr. Wolfe back to his room and then get a room ready for Ms. Sinclair.”
“Good idea,” Bella said as if Nurse Brandon had thought it up herself.
She pressed the button then looked at Jack. “After our sister is settled in, I’m going home. I need to check on Hank.”
He nodded his head in understanding. “Good.”
Maureen heaved a sigh of frustration. That one was pretty simple to interpret. You are on your own pal. God, she was so tired and she didn’t want to leave Jack.
The elevator doors slid open and Maureen wheeled her inside. She looked at the nurse. “Is admissions on first floor?”
Nurse Brandon nodded. “Room 110.”
As the door glided shut, Bella hit the G button and muttered. “I’ll never be able to show my face in this hospital again. She’ll have a lynching party waiting for me if I do.”
“Poor Bella,” she croaked out, pushing the words past rusty vocal chords.
“Thank God you are coming around.”
The gleaming elevator glided to a halt and the doors slid open. Bella pushed the wheelchair at a brisk clip across the spotless white tiled floor. As the exit door loomed in sight, a little ole lady rose from behind the reception desk. “May I help you, dear? Where’s the nurse? Have you checked out?”
Maureen heaved an internal sigh. Don’t these people think about anything but checking in and out? Saving lives for instance? But by now such was her faith in Bella, she would have put her up against a four-star general let alone a frail little lady in a hot-pink jacket.
Sure enough, Bella rose to the task. “She’s not a patient. We came to visit our brother and she started feeling a little woozy.” She leaned toward the little ole lady and whispered in a carrying voice, “Pregnant you know.”
Maureen could feel a scalding wave of heat rush from her chest up her throat and into her face. I’m going to have to kill her.
The receptionist beamed causing the bright orange blush on her lined cheeks to stand out in a pronounced manner. “Oh, a baby. How wonderful.” Her gaze fell to Maureen’s left hand and a look of compassion crossed it. “That’s all right dear, single moms raise babies all the time. You get that scoundrel to marry you or at least support you.”
Mortification changed to humor and Maureen managed a half nod.
<
br /> Bella embellished. “That’s why I’ve got to get her home for a good lie down, she’s getting married in two days.”
Before the woman could respond, Bella swept through the automatic doors and into the pick-up area. She pushed the wheelchair brake down with her foot. “Try to stay out of trouble for the next two minutes. I’ll be right back with the car.”
“Me?” Maureen pushed out in a raspy whisper.
“That a girl, shug,” Bella said and swished off to the parking lot.
Waiting, Maureen closed her eyes.
“Ma’am, may I help you?”
Oh damn.
She opened them to find a young security guard, tall, thin and earnest bending over her.
“I’m fine,” she forced out past a parched throat and dry lips.
“You don’t look fine. I’m going to get you a nurse.” He straightened.
Bella came roaring up in her flashy red convertible. “Anything wrong, Officer?”
He took one look at Bella, blinked as if dazzled and cleared his throat. “Do you know this woman?”
“My kid sister. I’m taking her home.”
“She doesn’t look very good.”
Bella shook her head, her expression disgusted. “You know insurance companies. Three days and you’re out even if you’re at death’s door.” She came around to the side and opened the door, pushing the passenger seat back as far as it would go.
“It’s a darn shame. Can I help you get her in?” the guard said.
She turned on the charm full blast. Her smile showed pearly white teeth outlined by moist red lipstick.
Maureen felt sorry for the young man. He didn’t stand a chance.
“That would be wonderful.” She gave a careless wave of her hand. “Just pour her in.”
He looked at her, startled. “I beg your pardon.”
“Poor thing has muscular dystrophy.”
“I’m so sorry. How will you take care of her?” He grunted as he lifted her.
“Oh, did I forget to tell you, I’m a registered nurse.”
“Do you work here?” he asked his expression hopeful.