Читать книгу BOGUS - Jill Ganger - Страница 3

Susan was dying. She was 53 years old and in great physical condition until today. She was in and out of consciousness barely recognizing her family as they sat in her hospital room. Her husband squeezed her hand to let her know that he was there. Her grown sons had arrived at the hospital this morning and they sat by their father without saying a word.

Dr. Bingham came into the room and beckoned Mr. Dryer, Susan’s husband. Her eldest son Donald took his father’s chair and held his mother’s hand. “Can you tell me when she became ill, Mr. Dryer?”“It was very sudden,” he said. “Her neck had been bothering her for the last few days – but I thought that was just residual discomfort from an old injury. She didn’t complain about it or anything. I just noticed her movements and I know her. We’ve been married for 30 years. It really wasn’t obvious to anyone else,” he said more to himself than to the doctor. “This morning she was fine. We had coffee and breakfast, and then I kissed her goodbye and started to leave for work. As I bent down to pick up my attaché case, I heard a crash in the kitchen. I dropped my bag and ran back into the kitchen and Susan was on the floor. Her coffee cup had landed nearby and had broken into pieces. I didn’t stop to look at her. I picked up the phone and called 9-1-1.”

“Did you notice how she looked on the floor immediately after she went down? Was she pale; was she convulsing – anything odd that you noticed?”

“I only noticed my wife on the floor – not moving.” Mr. Dryer responded. “I was in shock. The paramedics arrived quickly. They should be able to tell you. I just don’t know! She looks awful, doctor! What is wrong – can’t you help her?”

“We just don’t know yet. Her body is shutting down. I’m sorry to tell you that, and unless we figure out what caused this episode quickly – we’ll lose her! Go back to your wife, Mr. Dryer and we will continue to run tests so that we can figure out what can be done.”

Mr. Dryer went back into the room, sat in the chair vacated by his son, and put his head in his hands.

Dr. Bingham sent an intern into the room along with the shift nurse to continue monitoring Susan Dryer. As he looked at the chart Dr. Bingham had an idea. He went back into the room and spoke to Mr. Dryer. “Go back to your house and check the kitchen and bathroom for pills of any kind that Susan might have used this morning. Perhaps it’s an allergic reaction to something. I know that you don’t want to leave your wife, but can you do that or would you like me to send someone?”

Mr. Dryer barely heard the doctor as he watched his wife struggling to live. The doctor touched his arm and repeated the request and Mr. Dryer left the room. “But she was fine this morning,” Mr. Dryer told himself.

As he left the room and walked down the hall to the elevator, he thought of their life together. He remembered how he had asked her to marry him.

They were in a canoe at the lake. It was a beautiful spring day, and they decided on a picnic. She made a wonderful lunch, and he brought the wine. They threw the food into the boat and then he jumped in. He took her hand and helped her climb into the small boat. He rowed across the lake slowly; she wanted to help with the oars but he wanted to be macho and do it himself. She shook her head in frustration. “You can row on the way back”, he told her laughing. By then I’ll be too full after all that food! When they got to the other side of the lake, they tied up the canoe and waded to shore. Susan spread out the blanket and took the food from the basket. He uncorked the wine and poured two glasses. He put his hand in his pocket to feel if the ring was still there. He took a deep breath and blurted it out before he could change his mind. He stuttered for the first time in his life as the words came out, “Susan I love you. Will you marry me?” He could see in her eyes that she was totally surprised and delighted. She smiled and put her arms around him. “I love you too! We will be together forever!”

The elevator door opened and he got inside. Continuing to reminisce he thought about when she told him that she was pregnant with Donald. They were so happy – now they would be a real family. “I’ll be a good mother won’t I?” she worried. “You’ll be a wonderful mother – you have so much love to give,” he told her as he squeezed her hand and kissed her on the forehead. Then two years later, Alan had arrived and now they were a family of four.

The elevator door opened and he stepped into the lobby. As he walked to the car he thought about all the good times that they had promised each other when the boys were grown. Donald was working in the city, and Alan was still in school. They still dreamed about the time that they would have together when the boys were totally on their own. Another year and Alan would be finished with school. Then it would be time for them.

He unlocked the car door, sat down in the driver’s seat, and began to cry.