“That’s right.”
“What are we doing here?”
“There’s a private hospital in Chatham.It’s a restful place.”
She sat straighter.“I thought you were taking me back to school.”
“Pam, you passed out there.You’re exhausted.That’s the last place I’d take you.”
“I have exams coming up.I have to study.”
“You have to regain some strength.”
“Then home.Take me home.”
“This will be better.You’ll have plenty of care.”
“I don’t need plenty of care.I want to go home.”
“Relax.Everything’s going to be fine.You’ll spend a few days here.Come Monday, you’ll be back at school.You’ll have plenty of time to study then.”
“I don’t like this.”
“It’s the sensible thing.You’re in lousy shape.Let me take care of you for a change, okay?”
Hit by a wave of nausea, she didn’t argue further.But she was distinctly uneasy.Something didn’t feel right, and it had nothing to do with her stomach.
John pulled up at a large Victorian house surrounded by low trees and shrubs, and guided Pam inside.They were expected.She was immediately ushered to a pretty room where a soft-spoken nurse helped her undress and get into bed, then returned a short time later to give her an injection.
“Just something to take the edge off and help you sleep,” she explained.She looked so straightforward and kind that Pam trusted her.Within minutes, she was asleep.
When she woke up, the room was dim, lit only by a small lamp on the nightstand.She looked around.Her head was heavy, her eyelids even more so.She dozed offagain, then came around to the awareness of movement by her side.It was the same smiling nurse.
“How do you feel?”
“Sleepy.”
“That’s to be expected.”
“I’ve been so tired.”She moved her lips very little, but even that was an effort.
“From the pregnancy.You’ll be getting over that now.”
“Past the first three months?”
The nurse gave her an odd look and made an adjustment that drew Pam’s attention to the pole by the side of the bed, then the tube that led to her hand.
“What’s that?”she asked, feeling as slurred as she sounded.
“Glucose.”
“Am I that sick?”
“You’re not sick at all, just a bit weak.After a procedure like this, we like to make sure you have enough fluids in your system.”
Pam struggled to focus.“Procedure?”
Again the nurse looked at her oddly.“D and C.”