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
