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  Lisa followed him out with her eyes. He went serious way too quickly for it to be just another patient.

  Chapter 9—Ups and Downs

  “What just happened?” Debbie asked.

  “I don’t know,” Lisa said, turning back toward the bed.

  “What did the message say?”

  “Debs, now, he probably needed to go to a patient. Please, just rest.” Lisa knew Debbie had seen the same fear in his eyes that she had when he read the page.

  Robert went to the cell phone room and called John.

  “What’s happening to Gini?”

  “Nothing that I know of.”

  “I got a page saying she’s running a fever.”

  “Hmm… she complained that her right breast was hurting her this morning. Maybe she’s developing an infection in a milk duct, common in breastfeeding moms. Vicky had one with Noah. The infection responds well to antibiotics. Who sent the page?”

  “Linda.” Why am I talking to John? Robert thought. I should be talking to Linda.

  “She’s had quite the week. I talked to her this morning and she said in the midst of the crisis, babies are falling from the sky. Ten, I think she said, delivered the last few days. Kinda rights a wrong, in a way.”

  “I’m concerned that Gini might have a fever. I’ll call Linda.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with concern. But don’t go crazy with fear. Take a breath and relax a minute. You’re probably tired.”

  “I am.”

  “Remember that ride? Here yah go!”

  Robert laughed. “Think I might need to buy a helmet.”

  “I’ll go check on Gini in a few minutes. I didn’t get a page or message… I’m just looking at Gini’s chart. Says what I told you, breast discomfort on the right side, 99.7 fever, watch for breast infection.”

  “Thanks, John.”

  “Take care of yourself.”

  Robert took a deep breath and looked on his contact list for Linda’s phone number. When he looked up, he saw Micky at the sanitizer station. A nurse was helping her put on a gown, mask, and gloves. Debbie would be happy to see Micky, he was sure.

  He called Linda, and the call went immediately to voicemail—probably delivering another baby. He got up to go eat. Sitting there, he realized how tired he was, and a bit shaky from missing meals. The hospital had set up an eating station in another wing on the floor and a large room with beds for sleeping. Just as he got in the hall, he got another page.

  Gini’s fever just spiked to 103.

  Robert started toward the shower area almost in a run, tearing off his gown, gloves, and facemask, and throwing them in the special bin when he reached the shower room. He let the hottest water he could stand run down his body. Swiftly, he redressed in clean scrubs and dashed to the maternity floor. After being sprayed with disinfectant, he had no time to wait for the elevator. He took the stairs.

  Micky gently tapped on Debbie’s door and then went in. “Look who’s awake.”

  “Micky, what are you doing here? How did you know to come?”

  Micky walked to the other side of the bed from Lisa. She leaned down and grabbed Debbie into her arms. “Bunny, you scared me to death. Don’t go getting sick ever again.”

  Debbie felt the comfort in her arms. “Really, how did you know I was sick?”

  “It took a bit of a hunt. I called and called you with no return calls. After a day I started to worry. I knew you were probably with Gini, so I came to the hospital. I asked for Dr. Young. Had to leave a message, so gave him my phone number to call me. I guess somewhere in the conversation with reception I mentioned your name. That’s when I heard about the terrible virus running through our community. I’ve been so deep into my studies, I’d missed the whole story. Of course, they wouldn’t let me up here to see you until Dr. Young told them it was okay because I’m a nurse. I got the shot and have been coming for a couple of days.”

  “Wow,” Debbie said. “I must have been really out of it.”

  “You were,” both Lisa and Micky said at the same time.

  “What shot?” Debbie asked.

  “It’s an anti-Coch serum. Both Micky and I got one,” Lisa answered. “You, too, through your IV yesterday. It seems to be helping people infected, as well as being a preventative.”

  Lisa held Debbie’s hand through the whole conversation. Micky had her hand on Debbie’s shoulder.

  “Leesy, will you help me to the toilet, please?”

  Lisa raised the head of the bed, and Micky uncoupled the IV tube from the shunt in Debbie’s hand. Debbie slowly slid her feet to the floor and stood on wobbly legs. Lisa put her arm around Debbie’s waist, and with Debbie heavily relying on Lisa’s strength, they made their way to the bathroom. Micky was surprised Debbie had asked Lisa for help rather than her since Lisa was the smaller of the two women. While they were gone, Debbie’s lunch was delivered.

  Robert had to stop at the sanitize station and put on the clothing protection. Anxiety was pushing his blood pressure up, he could feel it. He stormed down the hall and into Gini’s room.

  There were several people around the bed. Linda was unhooking the equipment from the wires leading to Gini. Gini lay as if lifeless on the bed. The monitors were all dark.

  “Linda, what are you doing?”

  She looked at him with sad eyes. His heart sank.

  “She tested positive for Coch. We’re transferring her to the eighth floor.”

  Gini turned her head. “Rob… ber…” she said slowly.

  Oh, thank God, he thought. She knows who I am.

  “I’m here, sweetheart.” He rushed to the bed. “I’m here and going to take care of you.”

  “Rob…ber, no, be… uff, seek. No, want, be… uff, seek.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. You need to concentrate on getting well.” He was trembling, not sure if it was from the scare or lack of food, but he felt weak.

  “Robert, sure you’re okay?” Linda asked.

  The two interns started moving the bed and Robert stepped back.

  “I need food.”

  “Then go get some before you pass out. We’ll get her upstairs and settled. She’s on a heavy concentration of antibiotics.”

  “She needs the anti-viral serum. You should see how well it worked on Debbie. She’s up and alert after only one day. Please, give her the serum.”

  “We’ll have to consult with John on that. He’s meeting us on the eighth floor. Robert, please go eat.” He was visibly shaking.

  He nodded his head quickly several times. “Yes, you’re right, I need food. Where’s Jessica?”

  “In the nursery. She’s fine. Go!” She gently pushed on him.

  Lisa got Debbie settled back in bed, then pulled the food over on the rolling table, opened the small cup of applesauce, and poured some ice water into Debbie’s glass, sticking a straw in it. Then she took a spoon, dipped out some of the sauce, and carried it toward Debbie’s mouth.

  “Leesy, I can feed myself.”

  “You’re weak; here, eat.”

  Debbie opened her mouth and put her hand on the spoon. Lisa released it to Debbie. Then she broke the sandwich in half and went into the bathroom to retrieve a wet cloth. “There you go,” she said, laying it on the table.

  She sat down and looked up at Micky, who was smiling. Lisa tapped her fingers on her lip, then opened the barrette on the top of her head and pulled the loose strands together and clipped the barrette closed. “Since Micky’s here, I guess I’ll go see if I can find some food myself. Can I bring you anything?” She looked at Micky.

  “No, I’ve eaten.”

  Lisa got up, gave Debbie a quick kiss on the cheek, and left.

  “Quite the nurse there,” Micky said. “She’s very attentive and sweet.”

  “Leesy’s the best. Everyone loves her. And you’re right, she’s very sweet.”

  “You two have a very close friendship, I can see that.”

  “Yes, we…” Debbie stopped for
a second. “We were together.”

  “A couple?”

  “Yes.”

  “Like lovers?”

  “Yes, for a while.” There was another pause. “For a long time. We lived together for a long time.”

  Debbie’s hand shook when she picked up the glass of water. Micky helped her lift it to her mouth.

  “Isn’t she married to a man?”

  “Yes.”

  “So, she’s bi!”

  “No, she’s very heterosexual—”

  “But—”

  “It’s a long story, Micky. I’ll tell you sometime. Lisa was treated very badly by a man. I just helped her find herself again.”

  Micky rubbed down Debbie’s arm. “I think you still love her.”

  “I do. But it’s a sisterly love, not romantic.”

  “Okay, bunny.” She continued soothing Debbie’s arm. Now Micky understood the hostility Lisa had toward her. She still loved Debbie. Micky guessed it was more than a “sisterly love” for Lisa and perhaps for Debbie too—was she just trying to rationalize the relationship for Micky’s sake?

  Micky had known other women who went back and forth between men and women. She didn’t quite understand it but knew it was more than just moving from one lover to the next—once you’ve loved a woman, you can’t find that feeling again in a man. You find something else completely. That’s what one of them said, and it made sense to her.

  Lisa took off her protective clothing and put them in the bin. On the way to the makeshift cafeteria, she saw a gurney coming out of the elevator and saw Dr. Nelson. Another victim, she thought. Then she realized Gini was lying on the bed.

  “No,” she gasped. “Not Gini.” She rushed toward them.

  “I’m afraid so,” Linda said. “She started running a fever this morning.”

  “Does Dr. Young know?”

  “Yes, I insisted he go eat before he passed out. I think he’s been working around the clock.”

  “Everyone is exhausted,” Lisa said. “I’ll go disinfect and come help you.”

  “Thanks, that would be great.”

  When Lisa arrived at Gini’s room, other personnel were helping Linda into the disposable clothing.

  “Tell me what to do,” she said to Linda.

  “Help me get her hooked back up to the equipment. Should you be here, Lisa? What about your baby, your family?”

  “They needed all hands on deck. When I found out Debbie was sick, I had to come. Lenny understood. I called my mom, and she said she’d help with the baby until I could come home.” Lisa gave a small laugh. “But Lenny has been doing it singlehandedly. With all the storms and rainy weather, his job was pushed back. He’s such a great dad. I love him to pieces.”

  “Hands-on daddies are the best,” Linda said.

  Lisa took a temperature strip from the small table and put it on Gini’s forehead. It read 103.8. When Lisa touched Gini, she jumped.

  “Sorry, sweetie.”

  “Lees—”

  “Yes, it’s me. I had to come and help my friend get better.”

  “Eee… eee….” Gini’s voice faded.

  Lisa didn’t know if she was asking about Debbie or her baby.

  “You just rest. Debbie is feeling much better today, just like you will be soon. And Jessica is good.” She said it more as a question than a statement and looked at Linda.

  “Yes, Jessica is in the nursery all comfy and happy. She’s gained eight ounces already. She hasn’t been with Gini since yesterday evening. With Robert not there, they have been bottle feeding her with pumped breast milk at night. That way Gini could get more sleep. Then this morning, when Gini wasn’t feeling well, they didn’t take the baby to her. We’re confident Jessica will be fine.”

  “She is,” Robert said coming in the door. “Alyssa just sent me some pictures.” He turned his phone so the two ladies could see it. “Here’s the day she was born, and here’s today.” He flicked the screen with his finger.

  “Oh, look how full her face is getting. Dr. Young, she’s beautiful,” Lisa said with a sigh in her voice.

  Linda was pleased. Robert was much stronger acting and sturdy on his feet. Seeing the pictures had lifted his spirits.

  “How’s the food?” she asked him.

  “Not too bad. Actually, I was starving, so it was pretty good.”

  “Rob…ber.”

  “Sweetheart.” He leaned over the bed, pulled down his mask, and kissed her. “How’s she doing?”

  Her vital status was showing on the monitor. Her fever was up to 104.

  Linda shook her head. “Temperature is still rising. They’re bringing a thermo-blanket to cool her. Lisa, will you fill some ice bags and bring them in? We’ll put them next to her neck and face.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Robert was holding Gini’s hand and arm. She suddenly started shivering. He looked at her temperature, 104.2. “Linda, we have to stop this!”

  “I know, we’ll get it down.”

  A nurse brought in the blanket, and they laid it on top of Gini, then Lisa placed the ice bags. Gini made a small groan.

  “I know it’s cold,” Lisa said. “But it’s going to help you.”

  “Rob… ber, lah… uff.”

  “I love you too.” He pulled her hand to his face. “More than anything in the world.”

  That was the last time Gini spoke.

  Chapter 10—All over Again

  John had to tie up loose ends and take care of some business before he went to the eighth floor, knowing once he was there, he’d be quarantined until everyone was released. He and Vicky had both taken the injection of the anti-Coch serum, and she was volunteering in the hospital wherever she was needed but had not gone to the eighth floor, at his insistence.

  “I might as well go with you,” she said, “if you’re not coming home.”

  “No, I want you to stay safe.”

  “I’m protected, John.”

  “I know, but we aren’t really sure. What is the contagious period? How long after contact will the infection take hold? We don’t have answers to any of those questions. Besides, you have a grandson that wants to see you.”

  “And so do you, Dr. Meyer.” She smiled. “When was the last patient admitted with Coch? And aren’t some being released to go home?”

  “Yes, a few each day. As for new cases, one at midnight, another this morning, and Gini. But there’s no saying that we won’t have another outbreak in a week with others that were infected by the sick ones.”

  She leaned forward and kissed him. “Okay, I’ll stay away. But you’d better not get sick, or I’ll be right up there.”

  He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “I’m not going to get sick. I’ve been around this stuff for three years. If I were going to get infected, I would have by now.”

  “What about Debbie—”

  He put his finger on her lips. “Shh… Stop worrying.”

  John knew Robert would press him to give the serum to Gini, so he’d been digging into the stats to see if it was plausible. He found the numbers quite interesting. The injections seemed to be effective for prevention. Only a few of the well people given the shot had come down with the very infection, but in a much milder form. As for the injections being an effective cure, the numbers were less than impressive, with not much improvement when administered to patients with full-blown Coch. But except for Connecticut, there had been fewer deaths. The New England area reported only one so far. The serum could have helped with that statistic. Too much was still unknown to make a good call either way.

  When he walked into Gini’s room he was surprised to see her surrounded by friends: Linda, Robert, and Lisa.

  “John,” Linda said. “Come in.”

  They had some conversation about Gini’s condition, and he took a good look at the EEGs. “Linda and Robert, can we talk?”

  “Sure.”

  “Let’s go out in the hall.”

  Lisa stayed with Gini. The rest went to
a small area with a few folding chairs. He told them of his findings.

  “So,” Robert said, “are you going to administer the serum to Gini?”

  John took a deep breath. “I checked into it, Robert. I… I just don’t know. There’s no data on people with compromised immune systems, or ones who have just had surgery, or brain traumas, heart attacks, or strokes. None of that.”

  “John, look what it did for Debbie. They put it in her drip yesterday, and today she is up and stronger.”

  “Debbie’s a healthy woman, and she’s been sick for four days. She could have fought it off herself with the aid of the antibiotics, and Gini is on antibiotics. That treatment got Gini through the infection the last two times; it should this time too.”

  “But this is a much stronger strain.” Robert pleaded his case.

  “The thing is, I called to see how many doses we have. None. And the CDC can’t deliver more for a day or two.”

  Robert let out a breath and put his head down, rubbing the back of his neck.

  “I’m willing to try when we get more if she is still critically ill.” John patted Robert on the shoulder. “We’re going to take care of her.”

  The next two days, the floor started clearing out. Debbie was still admitted, but mainly so she could be with Gini. And Gini stayed status quo: high fever, chills, and quiet.

  Alyssa went every day to be with Jessica. They had isolated the baby from the main nursery, but with Alyssa constantly with her, the little girl was thriving. The breast milk was gone, so they started her on formula with no problems. Jessica would stay in the hospital as long as Robert and Debbie were confined.

  The CDC had been there taking blood from the medical staff to analyze, and samples from patients to do the same.

  The nurse helped Robert cover from head to foot with protective clothing so he could hold his daughter. With her in his arms, the world seemed to be right, but when he was with Gini, reality hit him hard again. She was not improving, even with the serum drip.

  On the fourth day, she went into a spiral. Her fever holding at 103.5, controlled by the ice and blanket, suddenly spiked to 104.7, and her EEG went flat.