“Please Call Dr. Carla Mendelson immediately. Tell her Ariel has a temperature of one hundred and four degrees, and if she can’t get here right away to send another doctor. After you do that, bring me a pitcher of water and a glass.”
“Right away, ma’am.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kiernan gently placed her hand on Ariel’s arm, giving it a light shake. “Ariel.” When she didn’t respond, Kiernan raised her voice. “Ariel, wake up.” Hearing a faint whimper, Kiernan tried again to rouse her. “Ariel, can you hear me?”
Wetting dry lips with her tongue, Ariel tried to speak, managing only a croak. “Water.” A racking cough seized her.
Kiernan helped her up into a sitting position, lightly patting her back. “It’s on the way. Are you in pain?” Kiernan watched as Ariel noisily swallowed before barely rasping out, “Head—”
Kiernan picked up the washcloth, which was only slightly damp and took it to the bathroom to rinse under cold water. After wringing most of the water out, she folded it over twice and returned to Ariel. Seeing her closed eyes, she touched her arm to get her attention, and Ariel sat up shakily.
“I’ve called the doctor to come out as soon as possible. Why don’t you lie back down?” Ariel slid back down onto the pillow, and Kiernan placed the wet washcloth on her forehead. After a few minutes, she removed the washcloth, and replaced it with her palm. She still felt the heat. Kiernan was apprehensive, wondering whether Ariel had a virus or the flu. There were so many flu viruses going around it was hard to keep up with the vaccines. Despite all the advances in medical technology, there was no way to eliminate viruses that continued to mutate into new strains. Fortunately, science was now able to develop a vaccine and contain any new outbreaks of flu, but was that what Ariel was sick from? Kiernan had no way of knowing.
Mrs. Belfort entered with a tray carrying a pitcher of water and a glass. She set the tray on the bedside table and said, “Dr. Mendelson is on her way.”
Kiernan assisted Ariel into sitting up, and took the glass of water Mrs. Belfort handed her, holding it to Ariel’s lips as she took a sip.
Mrs. Belfort said, “I’m going downstairs to wait for Dr. Mendelson. If there’s anything else you need, call me.”
“Yes, I will.” Kiernan sat on the edge of the bed. She took Ariel’s hand in hers in an effort to convey her concern and care.
THE VOICES WERE soft and low. One Ariel knew, the other she did not. Someone lightly touched her arm, and the voice she did not know said softly, “Ariel, I’m Dr. Mendelson. I’m going to listen to your heart and lungs, take a sample of your blood, and find out why you’re ill.” Ariel opened her eyes and focused on the woman whose voice was kind. A kindly face fit the voice. Her dark hair was shot through with silver, and she possessed gentle, soft brown eyes. She noticed a strange instrument split at one end, each end placed in the Doctor’s ears with a tail ending in a flat disc. Her mind struggled to name it, fuzzily remembering it was an instrument used many years ago by the medical profession to listen to a person’s heart and lungs. It hurt to think, and she shut her eyes against the pain in her head. The covers gently slid from her chest. Ariel felt movement at the top of her nightshirt and a point of pressure above her left breast. “Take in a slow, deep breath, and let it out slowly.”
Drawing breath through her mouth caused her to cough. Ariel struggled to sit up as the sensation of drowning seized her. A pair of arms encircled her shoulders assisting her up. After the coughing spasm subsided, the same arms assisted her back against the pillow and hands extended her right arm before a sharp point of cold pressed into the bend. She was conscious of the brief pain, but she couldn’t respond to it.
Tired, she was so tired. It hurt when she breathed, when she swallowed, and her head throbbed with pain. Tiredness closed around her like a gray fog, and she floated in the realm between awareness and oblivion where time no longer existed.
DR. MENDELSON REMOVED the vial of blood from the tubular hemo-extractor, inserting it in the compact rectangular analyzer she held in her left hand. After a few seconds, the device beeped, and she read the results on the display screen before saying to Kiernan, “She has viral pneumonia.”
“What! How could she have pneumonia and not show some symptoms yesterday?” Apprehension clutched her heart for a few beats.
“Analyses also show the common cold virus and an excessive amount of Bendyltrisuptyril in her system, which is a common ingredient in cold remedies. It would mask the pneumonia symptoms, but has side affects if you ingest over the required dosage. She shouldn’t have contracted pneumonia unless she wasn’t taking care of herself, eating right, sleeping, resting—”
“She did appear overly tired yesterday. I thought it was due to the stress of the wedding.”
“Stress could well be a factor in compromising her immune system. Take it from me—I remember how stressful a wedding can be. Right after I said ‘I do,’ I dropped from exhaustion.”
“You said side effects from the medication?”
“Too much can result in headache, nausea, diarrhea, tinnitus, or hives. Other side effects are euphoria, agitation, apprehension, and in some case studies paranoia. Side effects promptly disappear when ceasing the medication.”
Kiernan thought about Ariel’s behavior last night at dinner and her fear that Kiernan would make demands. She said nothing though, not wanting to share that with the doctor.
Dr. Mendelson reached into her bag and brought out a dermal infuser and a box of medication. She took a silver vial from the box and inserted it into the infuser. “I’m going to give her medication to prevent any bacterial infection and help with the viral infection. I’ll also give her something to ease her fever and pain.” She administered the dosages into Ariel’s arm. “The analysis also shows she has some dehydration as well as low electrolytes and blood sugar. I’ll order an IV drip and arrange right away for a nurse to come out and tend to that. It might be a good idea to have the nurse stay a few days and monitor her, also to assist in her care, and I’ll leave instructions with the nurse as to diet and medications.”
“Why use an IV drip? Can’t you give her an infusion?”
“She needs a slow, but steady supply of medications and nutrients. An IV is the best method.”
“How long will it take her to recover from this?” Kiernan asked with concern.
“She’ll need plenty of bed rest for the next three or four days, and after that, she needs to take it easy for the next two weeks and not do anything taxing or strenuous. I’ll call the nurse. She should be out within the next three hours.”
Kiernan stroked Ariel’s forehead still feeling the heat. She noticed the dryness of her skin.
Standing beside Kiernan, Dr. Mendelson gazed down at Ariel, and said in a quiet voice, “You know, despite her illness I can see how lovely she is. Her pictures are all over the news media today.”
“Yes, I know,” Kiernan said dryly.
“I hear all sorts of gossip from my patients, but not a word of this. One day you’re supposedly involved with—someone—and all of a sudden, you’re married to someone else. I must say, this took me totally by surprise.”
“It took me by surprise, too.” Kiernan realized that Ariel had taken her by surprise.
“I’m sure there is more to the story. But I have the feeling you’re not going to tell me. I’ll come by tomorrow to check on her.”
“I’ll call Mrs. Belfort to come up to escort you out.”
“No need. I know my way. Kiernan, best wishes to you both and a bright future.”
“Thanks, Carla.” Resting her gaze on Ariel, Kiernan wondered what their future would be like if their marriage were not a business arrangement. Would it be bright and happy?
THE SOUND OF muffled footsteps alerted Kiernan that someone was entering the bedroom. She peered up from the chair at the head of the bed where she was watching over her sleeping wife. In a hushed voice, Mrs. Belfort said, “Ma’am, Ms. Robinson, the nurse Dr. Mend
elson called, is here.”
“Please, send her in. Oh, and do the necessary cancellations for the St. Thomas trip.”
“I’ll take care of that right away, ma’am.
Mrs. Belfort exited the room and a few seconds later an attractive dark skinned woman in a white medical uniform walked in carrying a bulky blue bag slung over one shoulder. In a low voice she said, “I’m Stephanie Robinson, Ariel Thorsen’s nurse. Dr. Mendelson filled me in on the patient’s condition.”
“I’m Kiernan O’Shay, Ariel’s wife.”
“I hear congratulations are in order. I’m sorry this happened at such an important and happy time for you both.” Stephanie’s dark eyes reflected her sincerity.
“Thank you. My only concern now is for Ariel’s health.”
“Yes, of course, that’s why I’m here.” Stephanie put down the bag she was carrying and picked up Ariel’s hand to monitor her pulse. After a minute, she set Ariel’s hand back on the bed. “I’m going to set up the IV.”
Stephanie retrieved her bag, set it on the end of the bed, and opened it to remove a portable stand that she unfolded and placed on the floor at the head of the bed. Next, she took out an IV bag and a sealed, sterile package containing the necessary tubing and needle. “This has a glucose solution, as well as fortified nutrients, and medication to help her relax.” She hung up the bag on the stand and attached the tubing and needle. “I’m going to wake her and tell her what I’m doing. I don’t want her alarmed and dislodging the needle.”
Kiernan cringed when imagining a needle penetrating Ariel’s skin. “A needle? God, that’s so outdated and barbaric. Why not hook an infuser to the bag and place it on her arm?”
“Infusers are for dermal use, and not for veins. The nutrients and medication will need to go through the veins, and needles are still the most effective way to administer them.”
“We can fly to the outer edges of the solar system, but can’t find the cure for the common cold, most viruses, and we still use primitive medical instruments.”
Stephanie responded with an amused voice, not loud enough to wake her patient. “We did find the cure for diabetes, M.S, Alzheimer’s, most cancers, and a host of other diseases. We use precision computer programs to do laser surgery on the brain and spine. I wouldn’t call that primitive.”
“I suppose,” Kiernan said grudgingly.
Stephanie touched Ariel gently on the shoulder. “Ariel, wake up.”
Ariel opened unfocused eyes, suddenly surprised. “Mysha,” she mumbled.
Upon hearing Ariel say the name of her former girlfriend, Kiernan stiffened. She crossed her arms over her chest and tried to quell her disappointment. But she couldn’t expect Ariel to forget Mysha. Ariel hadn’t ended the relationship because she wanted to. She ended it because Kiernan forced her to.
“I’m Stephanie, your nurse. I’m here to assist you during your illness. Dr. Mendelson has ordered an IV for you. You’re going to feel a prick on your arm where I insert the needle.”
Stephanie retrieved a sterile-wipe from her bag, using it to clean the bend in Ariel’s left arm. She tied a rubber tubing tourniquet right below the bend, found a suitable vein, inserted the needle, and made Ariel flinch. Stephanie taped the needle and part of the tubing to Ariel’s arm to keep it from coming loose. She asked Ariel in a gentle voice, “Do you need me to get anything or do anything for you?”
“No,” Ariel said, her voice weak.
“You let me know if you do. I’ll be right here.”
“Yes, okay.” Ariel shifted her position slightly and closed her eyes.
Stephanie glanced at her wristwatch and watched Ariel’s respiration for a minute before checking her wristwatch once more. To Kiernan she said in a subdued voice, “The main thing is for her to have plenty of rest and liquids. Tonight, we need her eating something light, such as clear broths, Jell-O, and clear liquids. She’s to have no dairy products until her fever abates. I can remove the IV tomorrow night, if she eats and drinks enough.” She withdrew a digital notebook from the pocket of her smock and handed it to Kiernan. “Here’s a menu she needs to follow for the next couple of days.”
“I’ll take it to my chef and instruct him to follow what’s on here.” An idea occurred to Kiernan. “When can she have visitors?”
“I would wait at least a couple of days. Not because of contagion, but visitors do tend to overexcite a patient. Of course, having a loved one participate in her care is also important and helps in the recovery.”
Gazing tenderly at Ariel, Kiernan said, “I’ll be here for her and help anyway I can.”
THE NEXT AFTERNOON, Stephanie gave Ariel a sponge bath and helped her dress in a clean, pink flannel nightgown she found in the dresser drawer. Ariel knew it was one Kiernan had purchased for her, but didn’t mind, as wearing something fresh and clean felt wonderful. Most of yesterday and this morning, Ariel spent sleeping, only vaguely aware a doctor had visited. Kiernan visited a few times to see how she was doing and asking if she needed anything. Seeing as Ariel wasn’t in the mood for company, she stayed only a few minutes each time.
Mrs. Belfort entered the bedroom carrying a tray with Ariel’s dinner and placed it on the rolling bedside tray by the bed. “Ricardo prepared you some of his ‘fix you up’ chicken noodle soup. He swears it will fix what ails you.”
Stephanie moved to Ariel’s side. “Here, let me help you sit up.” Stephanie moved an arm around her and assisted her to an upright position while Mrs. Belfort leaned the pillows against the headboard, so Stephanie could gently make Ariel more comfortable.
Mrs. Belfort kindly said, “If there is anything else you want, please don’t hesitate to have Stephanie buzz me. I’ll get you whatever you need.”
“Thank you,” Ariel said, as Mrs. Belfort patted her arm before leaving.
Ariel took a spoon, her hand quavering slightly, and scooped a spoonful of the soup, dribbling some on the front of her gown. Stephanie gently removed the spoon from Ariel’s hand, and said, “Here, let me do that for you.”
Dismayed by her clumsiness, Ariel said, “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, honey, there’s nothing to be sorry for.” Stephanie fed Ariel the soup, waiting patiently while Ariel consumed the spoonful before offering her more. The soup tasted delicious, and despite her illness, Ariel did feel hungry.
Kiernan entered and stood on the opposite side of the bed from Stephanie. She asked warmly, “How are you doing?”
Ariel was silent, hoping to discourage Kiernan from staying. Stephanie said, “If Ariel eats enough I’ll remove her IV tonight.”
“That sounds like a good deal.” Kiernan examined the contents of the bowl. “Chicken noodle soup? It looks good.” She sniffed with exaggeration. “Mmm, and smells delicious. I hope Ricardo has more—I may want a bowl myself.” Gazing over at Ariel, she asked, “Does it taste as good as it looks and smells?”
Ariel nodded. After another spoonful, she said, “No more.”
“Would you like some apple juice?” Stephanie asked.
“Yes, please.”
Stephanie reached for the glass of apple juice only to find Kiernan holding it. Kiernan said, “Why don’t you take a break, Stephanie. I’ll let you know when you can come back.”
After Stephanie left for dinner and a break, Kiernan held the glass with the straw up to Ariel’s mouth, watching as she drank. Ariel drained the glass, and Kiernan placed it back on the tray. “Would you like some Jell-O?”
Ariel didn’t want Kiernan feeding her. She could try feeding herself, but Kiernan would probably make a fuss over her if she spilled any, and she didn’t want Kiernan that close and touching her. She did want the Jell-O, though. “Yes,” Ariel said in an almost inaudible voice.
Kiernan brought a spoonful up to her mouth, watching as she ate. Ariel ate three more spoonfuls until finally she had enough, twisted her head away, and sighed tiredly. Kiernan rolled the bedside tray away from the bed, took the napkin off Ariel’s lap, and gently wiped her
mouth. She assisted Ariel in lying down and drew the covers over her. Brushing her hand soothingly over Ariel’s forehead, she asked, “Is there anything I can get for you?”
“I’m okay.” Ariel wished Kiernan would leave her in peace.
“If there is, you let me know.”
Ariel didn’t reply. Feeling tired and drained, she let her eyelids close. She watched through half-closed eyelids as Kiernan sat in the chair by her bed, watching her as if she were some sick child. Ariel didn’t like feeling helpless in front of Kiernan. As she drifted into sleep, someone tucked the covers around her shoulders, and softly stroked her forehead. Finally, the tread of light footsteps faded from her hearing along with consciousness as she slipped into sleep.
ARIEL’S NIGHT WAS peaceful, leaving her feeling more rested and stronger the next morning, but still fatigued. She ate a light breakfast of coffee and wheat toast with a light spreading of grape jelly. Stephanie had removed her IV the previous night, for which she was grateful. Ariel refused to use the bedpan that morning, and Stephanie ensured she didn’t topple over in a slow walk to the bathroom.
Stephanie left for breakfast leaving Ariel at loose ends. She wished she hadn’t forgotten to bring her IMP so she could check the messages. Then again, she wasn’t up to hearing the calls Mysha probably left. She decided to watch the EM. “EM video on. Scroll at three-second intervals.” The EM projected the 3-D images onto the far wall. She leaned against the headboard, watching the EM scroll through the channels, which mostly featured info-commercials, game shows, or outdoor adventures. The EM scrolled past a news channel, startling Ariel when she thought she heard her name. “EM—back two channels.” She stared in shock at a picture of herself.
“—mystery surrounding Kiernan O’Shay’s marriage to Ariel Thorsen. What we know is Ms. Thorsen is a native of Tennessee, born and raised in East Ridge, right outside of Chattanooga, and is the daughter of—”
In horrid fascination, she watched as portions of her life were there for the world to see. There were pictures of her in grammar school, high school, and in college, ones with friends and neighbors, and even pictures of her mother and father, as well as Seth and Leigh. Suddenly faint with shock, she didn’t hear Kiernan come in, and jumped when she said, “It’ll die down after a while.”
Linda S. North - The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars Page 15