“I’ll leave that to you. I’ll stay away, unless they really need me. That way I can take care of the other patients in the hospital. Vicky will help Gini. Take care, buddy. I must say, we are probably in for some tough days ahead.”
“Yeah, we are. This is a bad strain, it sounds like. Thank you, John. And give Vicky a kiss for me. Maybe she can video talk with me, so I can see and talk to Gini. She’s not going to understand why I can’t be there. And Debbie… maybe we shouldn’t tell Gini about her right away.”
“You’ve got it. Keep in touch.”
A sinking feeling went through Robert when he walked into Debbie’s room and saw her hooked up to monitors. He went to her and took her hand.
She slowly turned her head toward him. “I need to go take care of Gini. Help me up.” She started to sit and got no further than lifting her head.
“Deb, you rest. Vicky and John are going to take care of her and the baby. The most important thing right now is for you to get well.”
“Maybe I’ll take her for a walk after her nap.” Debbie grabbed slightly at her stomach then closed her eyes.
“Robert,” Dr. Oliver Miller said, walking into the room.
“Oliver.”
“I’m Debbie’s attending doctor. What brings you up here?”
“You’re aware Debbie’s my wife’s personal nurse.”
“Oh, yes, of course. Didn’t I hear you just had a new baby; girl, I believe.”
“Yes.” Robert smiled. “I brought Debbie in, and now I’m exposed. So I don’t want to be around either my wife or daughter. I decided I might as well come up here and help.”
“Well, God knows we’re going to need the help. This time around, this stuff is fierce. Not a mild case yet. Did you get the vaccine?”
“I took the immune booster.”
“Good. Welcome aboard.”
“Did you take the anti-Coch serum?” Robert asked.
“I did, yesterday; no side effects. The CDC is sending over more. I’d like Debbie to get a dose. What do you think?”
“We should talk to her about it.”
“I don’t think she can make a sensible decision at this point. But we can wait.”
The doctor started examining Debbie and marking on her chart. Robert was torn. Should they get the serum or not?
The rest of the day was long for Robert. He wanted to be with Gini and Jessica, and he was full of worry for Debbie. She seemed to be getting worse. The fever never budged, even with a refrigerant blanket. At least it hadn’t gone higher. She hadn’t said any more beyond their first conversation after arriving.
More and more patients were brought to the floor, and Robert was monitoring ten of them. He decided it was best if Debbie was under Dr. Miller’s care.
He got two text messages from John, but they were at the busiest time on the floor with virus victims coming in one after the other. Each had to be triaged and assigned a physician. The medical staff was being pulled to the limit. Finally, about eight o’clock, recruits arrived, and Robert could take a break.
John, sorry I couldn’t answer your texts. We’re slammed up here. It’s not good.
I heard several of the doctors took the new serum yesterday and had no adverse effect, so they are getting volunteers to take the serum and sending them up to you.
Yes, thank goodness, they’re arriving.
How’s Debbie?
She’s pretty sick but holding her own. I’m considering giving her the anti-viral and taking it myself. How are Gini and the baby?
Wonderful. We didn’t say a word about Debbie, but Gini knew she was sick and you were taking care of her. She always amazes me. So, she’s fine and understands. Vicky’s here if you want to try a video call.
That would be great. I’ll go to my office. After the call, I’ll get some shut-eye.
He was comfortably sitting on the couch in his office with a cup of coffee when the call came in.
“Hello, Robert,” Vicky said. She was smiling on the screen. “I’m here with your sweet family.”
“Hi, Vicky. Hey, thanks for being there.”
“Not a problem at all. We just finished pumping for the first time.”
Robert heard Gini giggle in the background.
“Bress… uff, milk,” she said, as Vicky turned the phone screen to Gini.
“Oh, sweetheart, you look beautiful. So you pumped. How was it?”
Gini made gurgling sounds with her mouth and then laughed. “Be… uff, noise… ee.”
“I wish I was there. I will be soon. Take good care of Jessica and give her lots of kisses from me.” He paused. “Gini, I love you, forever.”
“Be… uff, lah…uff. Dee… bee, seek.”
“Yes, but we’re going to get her well.”
Robert could hear Linda’s voice in the background.
“Hi, Robert,” Dr. Nelson said.
“Hello. Take good care of Gini.”
“I am. How are you doing?”
“A little tired but otherwise okay. I miss my girls.”
“Hopefully, that new serum will do the trick.”
A nurse came in, and Vicky stepped away from the bed. “Medical time,” she said.
“Vicky, make sure they watch Gini closely. This disease strikes without warning. I’m worried since Gini has had Coch in the past. Please watch her.”
“Linda’s on it. She remembers how sick Gini was before with it. She’s in a good place. Everybody must use sanitizers on their hands and face before they’re allowed to enter the floors and rooms, no questions asked. The hospital is taking every precaution.”
“That’s good.”
“Robert, go to our house and sleep.”
“No, I can’t be around anyone, least of all the ones I care about most.”
“Please, take care of yourself and Debbie.”
“I will.”
Robert took an hour-and-a-half nap, went to the doctor’s shower area and cleaned up. Then he looked
