Chapter 09 Shrimps allergies
CHICAGO, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
AINSLEY HOSPITAL
AT THE RECEPTION
Ma’am Elise led Ria to the reception desk. “Good day nurse.” She greeted the petite nurse on glasses who stood at the desk.
The nurse looked up at them. “Good afternoon, please how may I help you?” She asked.
“We are the family of a little girl that was rushed in here not too long ago.” Ma’am Elise replied.
“Please what’s her name?” The nurse requested.
“Phoebe Lawson.” Ria answered.
The nurse glanced away from them and searched the system. “Yes she is currently in ward two hundred and six.”
“Can you give us the directions to get to the ward? I am not so familiar with this place.” Ma’am Elise said.
The nurse gave the directions to the ward and they walked away. “I am scared. What if it is something serious?” Ria mumbled.
“Don’t worry miss Ria, Phoebe will be alright.” Ma’am Elise assured Ria as she led her towards the ward.
“Well I hope so.” Ria’s voice quivered.
Ma’am Elise and Ria walked into the room where a female doctor was attending to Phoebe who had purplish bruises all over her body from too much itching.
“Mom. Ma’am Elise.” Phoebe said in a low tone.
The female doctor whose tag read. “Dr Gillan.” glanced up at them.
“Phoebe. Are you alright?” Ria called shakily when she heard her voice.
“Who are you please?” Doctor Gillian asked.
“Doctor Gillan, they are Phoebe’s guardians.” Miss Eve, Phoebe’s home room teacher answered.
“Okay please move closer. I am Doctor Gillan.” The female doctor introduced herself briefly.
“Is she okay?” Ria asked ma’am Elise because she couldn’t see if Phoebe was fine.
“Phoebe only reacted to what she ate at school during lunch hour.” Miss Eve spoke up.
“Yes, it is an allergic reaction.” Doctor Gillan said.
“What.. what did she eat?” Ria stuttered.
Ma’am Elise led Ria to the bed where she could sit in order to feel Phoebe. “Shrimps. She reacted to the shrimps they served with lunch at school.” Doctor Gillan answered.
“Mom.” Phoebe reached out to hold Ria’s free hand.
Ria furrowed her eyebrows. “Shrimps? Phoebe did you know about your allergy to shrimps?” Ria asked.
“No mom. I haven’t eaten shrimps before to know if I am allergic to it.” Phoebe responded.
“So what do we do doctor? Is she going to be alright?” Ma’am Elise questioned.
“Don’t worry she will be fine with the treatment she is receiving and enough rest will do.” Doctor Gillian looked up at the drip on the iron stand. “Just make sure that she doesn’t eat shrimps anymore.” She added.
“Yes.. yes.. I will make sure of that. She won’t eat shrimps anymore.” Ria rushed out her words.
“Good.. I’ll go ahead now. A nurse named Hazel will come around to check on her from time to time.” Doctor Gillian sounded resigned.
“Thank you, Doctor Gillan.” Ma’am Elise thanked the doctor before she exited the room.
“I am sorry for causing you so much trouble. I am pleading on the school’s behalf too.” Miss Eve apologized.
“No, it is alright. I am glad she was rushed to the hospital on time before matter got worst.” Ria replied.
“Thank you, miss Eve.” Ma’am Elise said.
“The head nurse at the school clinic referred us to this hospital. And please you don’t have to thank me, I am only doing my duty.” Miss Eve stood up from the chair she sat on and walked closer to Phoebe. “Stay strong okay?”
Phoebe nodded. “Thank you, miss Eve.”
The home room teacher turned to face ma’am Elise. “I have go ahead now and give a report at school. And you don’t have to worry about the medical bills the school will take care of everything.” Miss Eve said.
A smile broke out on ma’am Elise’s face. “I am grateful.” At least they wouldn’t have to spend a penny from the little they have at hand.
“Yeah. Goodbye miss Ria. Phoebe, take care.” Ma’am Elise accompanied Miss Eve to the door.
“Are you okay?” Ria asked in a concerned tone.
“Yes mom, I am fine. You don’t have to worry too much about me.” Phoebe muttered.
Ria reached out her hand and stroke Phoebe’s face gently before planting a kiss on her small free hand. “I was so worried about you. But I am glad you are doing fine.”
“How are you feeling now, Phoebe?” Ma’am Elise asked too.
“I am good, ma’am Elise.” Phoebe answered.
“You should get some rest now.” Ria muttered.
Ma’am Elise phone pinged. “Oh Miss Ria! It is the store owner.”
“Maybe the materials we ordered a couple of days ago are ready.” Ria gave Phoebe’s hand a small squeeze.
Ma’am Elise picked up the call and clicked on speaker. “Hello Ma’am Elise.” The store owner’s voice was loud.
“Yes, Mrs Rose.”
“I just called to inform you that the materials you needed are ready at the store.” Mrs Rose informed her.
“When should I come for it?” Ma’am Elise asked.
“At your own convenient time. Just let me know when you are coming around to get them.” Mrs Rose responded.
“Okay. I’ll get back to you soon.” Ma’am Elise pressed the red button and disconnected the call.
“Ma’am Elise, you should go and get the material before they sell it out to someone at a higher price.” Ria said.
“Yeah you are right. But will you be fine alone?” Ma’am Elise demanded.
“Yes. Don’t worry about us.” Ria replied.
“What if you need anything?” Ma’am Elise reasoned. If Ria or Phoebe needs to pee who would help each other out?
“I will get that myself. Go ahead and get the materials.” Ria answered.
Ma’am Elise was reluctant to leave Ria alone with Phoebe. Ria wasn’t familiar with hospital directions so how is she going to get whatever she needs? What if she bumps into someone who is not nice? What if she bumps into someone who can’t tell she is blind until he or she sees a walk stick with her? Since she hasn’t gotten over what that monster did to her so what if Ria bumps into the kind she feared the most that can make her lose her senses and start trembling like she used to? She pondered.
And her train of thoughts was interrupted by the little girl. “Ma’am Elise, go and get the materials mom needs to sew amazing dresses so we can make a lot of money.” Phoebe said to Elise.
“Alright… I will leave then.” Ma’am Elise agreed.
“Bye, Ma’am Elise.” Ria and Phoebe chorused.
“Take care.” Ma’am Elise hesitated a bit again before walking out of the room still trying to believe they would be fine alone.
“Mom.” Phoebe held Ria’s right hand as she stared at Ria. Sting of tears formed at the corner of her eyes wishing Ria could see.
“You don’t like what you see when you look at me right?” Ria said to her when she sensed Phoebe’s change in body language and tone.
“I like what I see in you mom. I mean -” Phoebe’s voice trailed off with the tears threatening to spill. “I like you… a lot.” Phoebe sniffed.
“Why?” Ria smiled.
“The fact that you are strong, hardworking, caring and selfless. And I was just wishing you had your sight then you would have become a well known seamstress now.” Phoebe was talking from the fact that some people in the neighborhood don’t want give their dresses to a blind lady.
Actually no one believes that a blind lady could do so much for herself. If only Ria had her sight then she would have gone far by now with her skills but no one wants to help. Some don’t want to get close to a blind lady because they think she can’t be of any use to them.
“Don’t get too emotional Phoebe. I really don’t mind the fact that I am blind now… as long as I am happy, everyone is doing fine and I can be able to achieve my dreams. I am not going to give up on that.” Ria won’t give in to discouragement because fulfilling her dreams was her mother’s dying wish.
“I just need to work on myself, Phoebe. I know that I can do better. I am sure that I will do better than this my dear.”
Phoebe wiped the tear that strayed down her cheek. “Yes I know. I believe in you.”
“Should I tell you about our new project?” Ria reached out on an impulse to touch her cheeks. “Don’t cry.”
“Yes. I am not crying anymore.” Phoebe sniffed.
“Good. Mrs Elise and I planned to get someone to design a new website so people can reach out to us from that site to get dresses. Ma’am Elise said that’s what people do these days to advertise their products.” Ria explained.
“Yes. And I believe it going to work out.” Phoebe shook her head.
“Yes it will work out and ma’am Elise will be in charge of the site.” Ria added quickly. She sounded so optimistic about the plans.
“Phoenix and I will help with cutting and sewing of dresses. We are doing a better job at learning about it.” Phoebe responded.
“We can do this my girl!” Ria giggled as she brought Phoebe’s small hand to her mouth and kissed it.
“I love you mom.” Phoebe held on to her hands tightly.
“I love you too.” Ria replied in a low tone.
IN A PRIVATE WARD
AN HOUR LATERContent rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
“Yeah I am doing fine now.” Mrs Perla said to Mrs Belle Simmons on phone.
“Oh, thank goodness, Perla. I was so worried about you.” Mrs Belle said calmly.
“Thanks for your concern, Belle.” Mrs Perla replied.
“I will come over to see you tomorrow.” Mrs Belle promised
“Okay Belle.” Mrs Perla hummed a response.
“Take care.” Ans the call ended.
“Hey mom. I think it is time for me to get back to work. Ramsey just sent me a text that there is an emergency.” Ian stood up to leave.
“Oh yes you should go ahead, my son.” Mrs Perla agreed.
“Take care mom. I’ll give you a call at night. Bye Lauren.” He said his goodbyes.
“Bye Ian.” Lauren replied without looking up from her phone. Ian exited the room