“If you’d taken Becky’s complaints seriously over the weekend, we probably wouldn’t have to be here now,” Tracy said.
“I took them seriously,” Kim said defensively.
“Oh, sure,” Tracy said. “By giving her some over-the-counter diarrhea medications. That’s really an aggressive approach! But you know something? I’m not surprised you didn’t do more. You’ve never taken seriously any symptoms Becky has ever had. Or mine either, for that matter.”
“That’s not true,” Kim said hotly.
“Oh, yes, it is,” Tracy said. “Only someone married to a surgeon would know what I’m talking about. From your perspective, any symptom less than what would call for immediate open-heart surgery is a kind of malingering.”
“I resent that,” Kim said.
“Yeah, well, so do I,” Tracy said.
“All right, Miss Know-It-All,” Kim snapped. “What would you have had me do with Becky over the weekend?”
“Have her be seen by somebody,” Tracy said. “One of your many colleagues. You must have a thousand doctor friends. It wouldn’t have been too much to ask.”
“Wait a second,” Kim said, struggling to control himself. “All Becky had was just simple diarrhea and some cramps, both of short duration. And it was the weekend. I wasn’t going to bother someone with such symptoms.”
“Mommy!” Becky called. She’d come up behind Kim and Tracy. “I have to go to the bathroom!”
Tracy turned and, reminded of her daughter’s discomfort, her anger immediately mellowed. She put her arm over Becky’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, dear. Sure! We’ll find you a bathroom.”
“Wait,” Kim said. “This could be helpful. We’ll need a sample. I’ll get a stool-sample container,”
“You must be joking,” Tracy said. “I’m sure she has to go now.
“Hold on, Becky,” Kim said. “I’ll be right back.”
Kim walked deliberately and quickly into the depths of the ER. Without Becky and Tracy, he wasn’t challenged as he passed the nurses’ desk. For the moment the mammoth Molly McFadden was nowhere to be seen.
The interior of the ER was a series of large rooms divided into separate cubicles by curtains that hung from overhead tracks. In addition, there were individual trauma rooms replete with state-of-the-art equipment. There were also a handful of examination rooms used primarily for psychiatric cases.
Like the outer waiting area, the ER proper was packed and chaotic. Every trauma room was occupied and staff physicians, residents, nurses, and orderlies swirled between them in continuous motion.
As he walked, Kim searched for someone he recognized. Unfortunately he didn’t see anyone he knew. He stopped an orderly.
“Excuse me,” Kim said. “I need a stool-sample container ASAP.”
The orderly gave Kim a rapid once-over with his eyes. “Who are you?”
“Dr. Reggis,” Kim said.
“You got an ID?”
Kim produced his hospital identification card.
“Okay,” the orderly said. “I’ll be right back.”
Kim watched the man disappear through an unmarked door that apparently led to a storeroom.
“Coming through,” a voice called.
Kim turned around in time to see a portable X-ray unit bearing down on him. He stepped to the side as the heavy machine was trundled past by an X-ray technician. A moment later the orderly reappeared. He handed Kim two clear plastic bags with plastic containers inside.
“Thanks,” Kim said.
“Don’t mention it,” the orderly said.
Kim hurried back the way he’d come. Tracy and Becky were still in line although they had moved up a few feet. Becky had her eyes shut tight. Tears streaked her face.
Kim handed one of the plastic bags to Tracy. “Cramps?” he questioned.
“Of course, you lunkhead,” Tracy said. Tracy grabbed Becky’s hand and led her back to the restroom.
Kim held their place in line as it advanced by one more patient. Now there were two check-in clerks. Apparently the other had been off on break.
By nine-fifteen the ER waiting room was filled to overflowing. All the molded-plastic chairs were occupied. The rest of the people were leaning up against the walls or sprawled on the floor. There was little conversation. In one corner, a television hung suspended from the ceiling. It was tuned to CNN. A number of unhappy infants drowned out the newscaster. Outside it had started to rain; the smell of wet wool filled the air.