“I’m sure you have nothing to worry about, this is merely a cold. You are in close quarters down here, illness is inevitable in these conditions. The fever needs to be watched, but as long as he gets plenty of fluids and rest, he should be fine,” Dr. Rudolph replies.
“When was he vaccinated?” Dr. Denning asks with a frown of concern.
“Yesterday. I have been vaccinating those that could not afford it.”
Dr. Denning looks surprised but continues taking care of the child. An ugly suspicion dances in the back of his mind.
“For the next few days, you should keep your other children away from Danny. Let him convalesce. Do not go to the main dining room and keep him out of the sun until the fever breaks.” Dr. Denning continues.
The two doctors leave and standing outside in the cramped hallway, Charles is angry. “It was irresponsible medicine to vaccinate them in these conditions, Jung. They have no room to separate their children.”
“I understand your concern, but every person vaccinated is one less who will spread a disease in the future. I will speak to the captain about moving them. If we can get them into isolation, it would be better for everyone.” Jung declares. “It could be a reaction to the vaccine, but none of his other family members reacted negatively.”
“Why vaccinate them now, Jung?” Charles asks.
“It was your daughter’s explanation of the charity work you do. It made me feel ashamed and want to give back in some small way. You should be very proud of her.”
Surprise flickers for a moment as he thinks of all the work Summer does with the less fortunate. It does not surprise him, except that she did not mention it to him. “Only time will tell. Let’s speak to the captain.”
Jung sighs in relief that his redirection worked.
The captain agrees to move the family to the second-class deck, where the child will have a separate bedroom to convalesce in. Jung tries to not let his surprise show at the speed the child is showing symptoms. He thought surely it would take twenty-four hours, but this is much faster.
“Keep an eye on the fever, Jung. A cold would not present a high fever,” Charles explains.
“Thank you. I will do that. Now, we have a dance to get ready for. I will see you this evening.” Jung excuses himself, and Charles returns to his suite.
Natalie and the twins return to their cabin with arms full of bags. “Summer, we found a dress shop on board!”
“A salon too! We had our hair done for tonight!”
Summer looks at their beautiful dark curls and laughs. “I wish I had known, I would have gone with you. You look beautiful.”
Natalie smiles and hands her a bag, “You are in luck then, I made you an appointment. Fifteen minutes from now. Get going, and I will press your gown for you.”
“Oh, that’s sweet, but I’m not going tonight,” Summer says with a frown.
“Chocolates! Mother, can we?” Hayden begs. Hayley runs from her room.
“Jung brought them for you today,” Summer says, smiling down at them
“Yes, only one each. I don’t want you to ruin your dinner.” Natalie moves close to help them choose and takes one herself. Summer declines when she offers her one.
“I prefer not to let him ruin my appetite for chocolate,” she murmurs.
“That’s twice now you have refused chocolate. You really don’t like him, do you? Is that why you are staying in?” Natalie asks her daughter. It is unlike her to skip the fun.
“Partly. I’m out of sorts, Mother, and I am longing for some solitary time. You understand, right?”
“Of course, we are in close quarters here. No worries, darling. You should rest and enjoy your peace. For now, I have to press three dresses and your father's suit.”
“I can help with that.” The afternoon passes quickly, and Charles returns to find his cabin aflutter with excitement. Disturbed by the day’s events, he goes to the bar to pour a drink.
“Is everything alright, Charles?” Natalie asks. “How was the child?” Summer finishes brushing Hayley’s hair and steps to the doorway of her room to listen.
“Fevered. I’m sure it’s just a reaction to the vaccine Jung gave him yesterday.” He sips on his brandy and looks out the port window.
“I wasn’t aware they were vaccinating on board?” Summer says stepping into the room.
“Neither was I, love. It does seem odd, but Jung credits your passionate speech at dinner. It made him think about what it means to help others. You should be proud of that.” Charles moves to put his drink down and spies the chocolates.
“One more couldn’t hurt,” he laughs popping one into his mouth before turning to get dressed.
Summer is counting down to the moment they leave. Something is not right about Jung Rudolph, and she intends to find out what it is. They will all be at the dance, and his cabin will be open. She tells herself that she’s doing the right thing, looking out for her family. If her brother were here, he would help her, but now it’s just her.
The family leaves at a little before six and Summer waves from the door smiling. “Time to find out what you are up to, Dr. Rudolph.” After a short time, she slips from her cabin and asks a chambermaid to show her the way to Jung's room. A few coins and she gives her directions.
“You will be careful with that one, Miss. He’s dangerous.” The maid goes to a closet on the first-class hallway to retrieve more sheets.
“Thank you. I will, believe me. Would you be willing to tell me when he leaves his room? I can pay you extra.”
The maid smiles when Summer pulls out cash. “Absolutely! You ain’t planning on robbing him, are
