Final Call, page 15
‘Try this.’
She reached into her bag, leaving her hand inside.
‘What is it? Some kind of sauce?’
‘Not exactly.’
She took out the pregnancy test and showed it to him.
‘Is that what I think it is?’
She nodded. He took it and looked at the little window.
‘Two lines means yes?’ he said, in a low, quiet voice.
‘Two lines means yes,’ she replied.
‘When did you take it?’
‘This morning. I wanted to wait until we got home to tell you.’
He laughed, then smiled, then hugged her, squeezing her hard against his chest. ‘Stacy,’ he said. ‘Stacy, Stacy, Stacy. I can’t believe it. This is the best news ever. Well, other than Cherry.’
‘I know. I’d almost given up thinking it would happen. My period was late and I had a feeling I was pregnant. It feels like it did with Cherry.’
‘When is it due?’
She laughed. ‘A long time! I’m like, three weeks pregnant.’
‘I know. I just – that’s what people ask, right?’ He put his hand on her stomach. ‘There’s a baby in there. Our baby. It’s amazing.’
‘Isn’t it.’ Tears welled in her eyes. ‘It’s been so long.’
‘How do you feel?’
‘Fine.’
‘No morning sickness?’
‘Not yet. And I didn’t have much last time, so fingers crossed that doesn’t change.’
‘I will get in some avocados, though.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘You know how you get about your avocados when you’re pregnant.’
‘And cottage cheese.’
‘I’d forgotten the cottage cheese.’
During her first pregnancy, Stacy had developed cravings for avocados and cottage cheese. She liked avocados but she had always hated cottage cheese: the claggy texture, the soft, suspicious lumps, the hint of rottenness in the taste, but it didn’t make any difference. For about three weeks all she wanted to eat were avocados full of cottage cheese.
Although ‘wanted’ didn’t cover it. It was an all-encompassing need. They were the only things she wanted to eat. One day she had come home and Dan had been sitting at the table, an avocado and cottage cheese in front of him, and she had blown up.
You’re eating my food!
He held up his hands. It’s OK. There are loads more, as well as at least three tubs of cottage cheese in the fridge.
I don’t care! Whether there was more wasn’t the point; she simply couldn’t stand the idea he was eating her food. She jumped forward and grabbed his plate. Give that to me.
Stacy, he said. One of the problems is that there’s nothing else to eat, and I’m hungry. If you let me eat this one, I’ll go right out and buy some more.
No! Eat your own food.
He stood up. OK. See you later.
She settled down with three avocados and a bowl of cottage cheese, flicking through the channels on the TV. She had just finished when the door opened, and he came in.
He was holding a large box and wearing a wide smile.
This should do it. He put the box on the table. This was all they had.
It was full of avocados.
There’s another box with cottage cheese in the car. Now can I have one?
Incredibly, her instinct was to say no, but she inhaled deeply and held her breath for a few seconds.
Fine. But only one, OK?
She leaned forward and kissed him. ‘There’s some time before all that,’ she said. ‘And there’s some before Cherry wakes up. Any thoughts on how to spend it?’
‘One or two.’
‘Me as well. I wonder if we’re thinking the same thing?’
He put his hands on her hips.
‘I think we may be,’ he said.
Dr. Williams
Dr. Williams sat opposite Sandy Price, the hospital’s COO. He was a dark-haired man with round glasses; in the prior year he had lost a lot of weight. There had been speculation he was ill – he wasn’t very popular so some of it was more like wishful thinking – but it turned out it was no more than an effective diet.
The door opened and Dr. Hall came in. He sat down and checked his phone.
‘Peter,’ Dr. Williams said. ‘Thanks for coming up.’
‘Not a problem. It’s an intriguing case. I’m eager to hear what you have to say. I have nothing to offer yet myself, I’m afraid.’
‘I have an idea,’ Dr. Williams said. ‘There was something in the notes.’
Sandy Price leaned forward. ‘You have an explanation for the sick kids?’
‘I have a theory.’
Price unfolded his hands in a gesture that said speak. ‘And?’
‘And I think they ate or drank something that was highly toxic.’
‘Could be,’ Price said. ‘It’s possible.’
‘Could be?’ Williams said. ‘And it’s more than possible. It’s likely.’
‘You don’t know that,’ Price replied.
‘No. But I have reason to believe it.’
Price started to shake his head, but Peter Hall raised a hand.
‘Let him finish, Sandy,’ he said.
‘Thanks, Peter.’ Williams tapped the desk. ‘The girl who recovered vomited, and the others didn’t.’
Dr. Hall nodded. ‘Which makes you think—’
‘That Cherry Evanston cleared the poison – the toxin – from her stomach before it was all absorbed. The others didn’t.’
‘It’s an interesting theory,’ Hall said. ‘But we shouldn’t jump to that conclusion. There could be other explanations.’
‘Maybe,’ Williams said. ‘I wondered about that. But I couldn’t think of one.’
‘Viral in origin?’ Dr. Hall said. ‘Perhaps the other three got a larger viral load at exposure? Similar for something bacterial.’
‘Anything I can think of that’s either viral or bacterial would have shown up on the tests,’ Williams said.
‘Tests can be unreliable,’ Dr. Hall said. ‘Perhaps the pathogen evaded the tests. Or they were faulty. Or it’s something rare that we don’t test for normally.’ He held up his hands. ‘I know. These are unlikely suggestions. But I’m just pointing out that we can’t say for certain it’s a toxin they ate or drank.’
‘It’s the most likely explanation,’ Williams said.
‘What would it be?’ Price asked. ‘Bleach? Something they found in the janitor’s room?’
‘No,’ Williams said. ‘I don’t think so. It would have to be something that overloaded the liver and its ability to process it.’
Hall pursed his lips. ‘Nothing comes to mind,’ he said. ‘Alcohol, maybe, but it’s not that.’
‘There’s an easy way to find out,’ Williams said. ‘We can ask them.’
‘Assuming they regain consciousness,’ Price said.
‘Yes,’ Williams replied. ‘And even if not, we can ask Cherry Evanston. She’ll remember if she ate something unusual.’
‘I really don’t think this is the right avenue to pursue,’ Price said. ‘I don’t want to waste anyone’s time, or upset the child.’
Williams stared at Price. Why the hell was he getting involved in this? He was an administrator. ‘It’s not a waste of time,’ he said. ‘It’s the obvious next step.’
‘I don’t want to upset her,’ Price said.
‘I’ll tread carefully.’
‘You might make her feel culpable,’ Price said. He looked at Dr. Hall for support. ‘Don’t you think, Peter?’
‘Partially,’ Dr. Hall said. ‘I think it risks upsetting the family. Maybe we can give it a day or two.’
‘Peter,’ Williams said. ‘This is ridiculous! I’m not surprised by him’ – he made a dismissive gesture toward Sandy Price – ‘but you should know better. You know I have to ask them.’
Dr. Hall nodded slowly. ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘We have to ask.’
Price looked at his watch. ‘OK. It’s getting late. Maybe tomorrow is better?’
‘Maybe,’ Williams said. He stood up. ‘That’s that, then. I’m exhausted, and I’m off shift, so I’ll see you in the morning.’
‘Yes,’ Price said. ‘And thank you for all your effort. It’s very much appreciated. By all of us.’
‘My pleasure,’ Williams said.
Price turned to Dr. Hall. ‘Peter, could you stay for a few moments? There are a couple of items I need to discuss with you. Mainly administrative. Tedious, but since you’re here …?’
Dr. Hall shrugged. ‘Not at all. Happy to help.’
Steve Murdoch
Steve Murdoch sipped his coffee. It was weak and tasteless and he didn’t really want it, but it passed a few minutes: walking to the café, filling a cup, adding milk, paying, walking back. It wasn’t much, but it took no effort. It was the kind of mindless activity that was pretty much all he was capable of.
At the other end of the waiting room were a man and a woman. The man sat motionless; the woman paced. They were a few years older than him – maybe mid-forties, and he wondered what they were here for. Probably a parent, given their age.
Which was the way it should be. Sad, yes, but not this perversion of the normal order of life. His parents were in their sixties, and in good health, but he knew at some point they would die. He would grieve them, he would miss them, they would leave a huge gap in his life, but he would not have to deal with the unfairness, the wrongness of it.
Bren had been reading his first chapter book last night. It was something simple but he was beaming with pride at his achievement. Steve had hugged him and said, This is the beginning of a lifelong journey for you. You’ll be reading for the rest of your life.
Don’t be silly, Daddy, Bren replied. I’ll finish this book before I’m six!
Not this book! All the other books.
That couldn’t be taken from him. Bren’s life was ahead of him, not behind him.
He took another sip and watched the woman pace. She walked along the windows, back and forth, ceaselessly. There was something familiar about her that he couldn’t place. Perhaps she’d been in a meeting he’d attended, or maybe he’d just seen her around town.
He definitely recognized her, though.
The door to the medical rooms opened and a doctor came out. It wasn’t the same one he’d seen earlier. He looked at Steve, and then headed toward the couple.
He reached them and started to talk. Steve could hear the low murmur of his voice, but couldn’t make out the words.
Whatever he had said was not good news. The woman let out a wail unlike anything Steve had ever heard. It was inhuman, a noise ripped from her soul, the sound of pure grief. She fell to her knees and clutched her head in her hands. The man slumped in his chair and started to shake his head.
The doctor crouched in front of them, his hand on the woman’s shoulder. He said something, then got to his feet, and walked back to the medical rooms, his face grim.
It did not seem like the death of an elderly relative.
The woman slowly stood up. She was facing him directly.
Steve’s back tightened.
He recognized her now.
He knew where he’d seen her.
She was a parent of a kid at Bren’s school, Nick maybe, or Nathan. Yes, that was it: Nathan.
He took another sip of his coffee. It tasted like ashes, and he spat it back into the cup.
Dr. Williams
Williams was just opening his second beer – he wasn’t sure he’d finish it before he fell asleep – when his phone rang. It was the hospital.
‘Williams.’
‘Dr. Williams. This is Gloria.’
He knew why she was calling, but some part of him held out hope that it was for another reason.
‘What is it?’
‘We lost another one. Nathan.’
It felt as though his heart had dropped into his stomach. He closed his eyes.
‘When?’
‘Half an hour ago.’
‘Do the parents know?’
‘Dr. Hall talked to them.’
He didn’t ask how they were. There was no need.
‘And Bren? How is he?’
‘No improvement.’
He pushed his beer away. He didn’t want to drink any more.
‘If he gets worse, call me. OK?’
She called back twenty minutes later. He was reading about liver failure and possible unusual causes. When he saw the number, he wanted to throw the phone across the room.
It was Gloria, again.
‘It’s bad news. The other boy – Bren – is getting worse. It doesn’t look good.’
His vision began to swim.
‘Thanks for calling. I’m on my way.’
When he reached the ward, Gloria was waiting for him.
She shook her head.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said.
‘When?’
‘A few minutes ago. There was nothing they could do.’
‘I’ll talk to the parents. Where are they?’
‘The father’s in room seven. The mother’s on her way.’
‘Hang on.’ The voice came from the end of the corridor. It was Dr. Hall. ‘I’ll talk to them.’
‘I’d like to,’ Williams said.
‘It’s fine. I was there.’
‘I’ve been there from the start.’
‘Neal,’ Hall said. ‘This is not the time for an argument. You’re off duty. It’s OK. We got this.’
‘I’d like to talk to them.’
The door opened and Sandy Price walked in. He was in an expensive-looking down jacket.
‘I was just leaving when I heard,’ he said. ‘So sad.’ He looked at Williams. ‘I thought you had gone.’
‘I came back. I wanted to be here.’
‘I understand,’ Price said.
‘I’m going to inform the parents,’ Dr. Hall said. ‘They need to know.’
‘I’ll do it,’ Williams said. ‘Honestly, I’m happy to.’
Price gestured to Williams. He nodded toward an empty office. ‘Join me for a moment,’ he said.
Williams followed him in. He closed the door behind them.
‘Is everything OK?’ Price said. ‘I know this has been a strain.’
‘Everything’s fine. I feel I should be there for the parents. I know the most about the case.’
‘Dr. Hall is a fine doctor.’
‘That’s not the point!’
‘Please don’t raise your voice,’ Price said. He paused, as though he’d noticed something. ‘Have you been drinking?’
‘No!’
‘Really?’
‘Not really. One beer.’
‘Neal,’ Price said. ‘I have every sympathy with you. This has been a tough situation. But you need to go home, and go now, before any more damage is done.’
Price held his gaze. His expression was serious, and Williams knew he had no option but to leave. Even one drink was too many.
‘OK,’ he said. ‘I’ll go. But tomorrow we need to find out what happened. I’ll talk to the family of the girl who survived. Find out what the hell they ate.’
Price stared at him.
‘That’s for tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Good night.’
Stacy Evanston
Stacy’s phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number. Normally she wouldn’t have answered, but after the last few days she didn’t want to miss anything important.
‘Stacy Evanston,’ she said.
‘Mrs. Evanston? This is Dr. Williams.’
She did not want this call. She did not want to know what he had found out and why it was bad news for Cherry, why there was some complication that meant she would have to take her daughter back to the hospital for further tests, or worse, that there was serious, long-term damage to her health.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘What is it?’
‘Do you have a moment?’
‘Is there a problem,’ she said, ‘with Cherry?’
‘No,’ he said. ‘It’s not that.’
‘Then what is it?’
‘There were other children,’ he said. ‘Who were sick at the same time.’
‘Ella was Cherry’s friend,’ she said. ‘It’s so sad.’
‘There were others too.’
‘Did they – are they alive?’
‘I can’t say too much. No specifics, but two others died.’
She heard herself gasp. That was three now, which made Cherry all the luckier.
‘The others had a slightly different situation to your daughter,’ he continued. ‘None of them vomited in the immediate aftermath of – well, of encountering whatever it was that caused this.’
‘You think that’s important?’
‘I think it could be critical. I’d like to talk to your daughter, if I could, and ask her if she ate or drank anything unusual. A plant, a fungus, anything.’
‘She’s asleep,’ Stacy said.
‘Maybe tomorrow? First thing.’
‘We’ll be here,’ Stacy said. ‘You can call on this number.’
‘It’s probably better if I come in person. Is that OK?’
‘I think so. I don’t see why not. But let us know before you arrive, in case she’s sleeping, or there’s something else going on.’
‘Why don’t you call me and let me know what’s convenient? I’m at the hospital from six in the morning until two in the afternoon, so sometime after that?’
‘OK,’ she said. ‘We can talk tomorrow.’
2
Stacy woke just after nine. It was – how long? – months, more likely years, since she’d woken up that late. Perhaps on a weekend in her twenties after a late night, but certainly not since Cherry was born. Dan was an early riser, so when she was a baby he would often get up at five or six and take her for a walk, but even on those days, Stacy would be awake by seven thirty, eight at the latest, ready for whatever the day brought.
One morning she had woken to total silence. Not a quiet house, but a quiet world. She recognized it immediately: it was the kind of silence you got during a snowstorm. Not a major, windy nor’easter, but one of the long, soft storms that went through the night, dropping inch after inch of snow, until, when you woke, the world was buried in white and nothing was moving. No cars, no people: the world was at a standstill.
