Abby sat near Tiny on the bed and read a story, but she could not hold Tiny’s attention. Glenda kept nervously staring out the small front door window, moving back to look at Tiny, and then staring out the larger living room window. Tiny began watching her mother, not noticing the pictures in the book. Abby signaled Glenda to stop pacing around. She pressed her hand toward the floor and mouthed, “Calm down.” Glenda understood.
Then Abby had an idea, and asked Tiny, “Do you remember the story you and your friends made up at the pre-school?”
Tiny’s eyes turned to Abby. “Was I the Good Fairy?”
“Yes, you were… and you still are, any time you want to be.”
“How did that story begin?”
“Well, we were playing ‘building a city’, and it became a story. We gathered baby trees from outside and made a forest. You and all your friends found figures and they became characters in the story.”
“Tell me more.” Tiny’s voice was very faint. She could barely keep her eyes open.
“Franklyn became a wizard, and a dragon appeared guarding the treasure in the forest. Wonder Woman and Robin Hood’s band defended the forest from bad guys wanting the treasure. And the city and forest have animals, like birds, dogs, raccoons, even an owl.”
Tiny had fallen asleep. Abby sat quietly near her as the time slowly went by. Tiny couldn’t get comfortable. She moved her limbs, kicked off the sheet, and muttered in her sleep. Sweat dripped down her temples.
“There she is!” exclaimed Glenda. She opened the door before Dr. Bear had a chance to knock. The air outside was full of fog and a fine drizzle. The doctor carried a small dark leather bag, glazed with water. Glenda took her wet overcoat and hat. Their eyes met. Even though they said ‘hello’ as if it were a casual visit, Abby could feel their anxiety. They quickly walked into the bedroom. Tiny’s eyes opened, and Abby stood aside, saying nothing. Tiny met Dr. Bear’s kind dark eyes.
“My stomach hurts,” murmured Tiny. “My back hurts.”
“Let’s see if we can help you feel better,” came the doctor’s soft voice. “Sit up here if you can.” Glenda sat next to Tiny and arranged her pillows and helped her up. From her bag Dr. Bear took an instrument that lit up, and looked into Tiny’s eyes and throat and ears. She felt her stomach, under her arms, and behind her knees.
“Try to cough for me.”
Tiny made an effort, but hardly made a sound. Dr. Bear took another instrument and listened to her breathing, and heartbeat. Finally, she took Tiny’s temperature. “Hmm… a little over 103 degrees. Not bad compared to some others. Let’s try drinking a lot of water.” She handed Tiny a half full glass from the bedtable and helped her take a few swallows, and then helped her again.
Dr. Bear turned to Glenda and Abby. “Let’s make a pot of warm tea.” She turned back to Tiny. “Everything’s going to be all right. Do you like mint?”
“Sometimes.” Tiny’s voice was still almost a whisper.
“Okay, we’ll be right back.”
The adults retreated to the kitchen. Glenda put water on to boil and fumbled through a cupboard until she brought out a tin of mint. Abby watched Dr. Bear. She’s figuring out what to say,’ thought Abby. It’s not easy. Not easy at all.
Dr. Bear began in a very low voice. “This is what people have been calling the ‘summer flu’. We had a few cases, and suddenly have a lot of cases. It’s got a few specific symptoms, mainly exhaustion, high fever, aches and pains. We don’t see the usual respiratory infection, no danger of pneumonia so far as we can tell. This virus is something new, and so we’re watching it and studying it very carefully. You see…” the doctor paused.
"She actually looks embarrassed!” thought Abby in amazement.
“You see, it’s actually not the flu.”
“But…” Glenda could hardly get her words out. “But then what is it?”
“We don’t really know yet. As I said, it’s something new. The scientists in the laboratories don’t have a name yet. We don’t even have a test for it. But those of us treating this illness know the symptoms.”
“All right,” replied Glenda, trying to be patient. “How does it run its course, what can we expect, what can we do to help?”
“This virus is probably a cousin of the flu virus, related in some way. I’ve brought two antiviral medications that should help to some extent, especially to keep the fever down. Try to keep her cool. No hot food or drink, lots of cold water. Bathe her in gently cool water if the fever spikes. Don’t shock her with cold.”
“What can we expect over the next few days?” Glenda was far from satisfied. Abby could see that she was barely able to control her fears.
“We’ve noticed two other characteristics of this virus. It primarily spreads among children. You should certainly keep her home for at least a week, and no visits from children or even teens. And second, these cases vary considerably from each other. Some are severe, some are very light, and are over in a few days. But keep her home until you are sure.”
“But Dr. Bear, please don’t avoid the bad news. Have any children died of this virus? What are the danger signals?”
“Please,” replied the doctor, “keep you voice down. Fear, anxiety, and stress will only do harm. Pay attention to Tiny’s comfort and her morale. Give her plenty of loving attention. There is little of that to spare in the hospital, as you may guess. I think she’s better off here, but only if she’s watched around the clock. She will not have a normal sleep schedule. She’ll sleep and wake on and off all day and night. Whenever she’s awake she needs attention. Cold water to drink at all times. Help her with it. Get some food in her. Soups, but cool before serving. And fruits, cut them bite sized. Make everything very easy to swallow. Try to feed her any time she will tolerate a few swallows. We really do not want to have to admit her to the hospital for lack of nourishment or hydration.”
“All right.” Glenda had tears in her eyes. “Abby, please… Can you stay with me?”
The eyes of Glenda and the doctor were zeroed in on Abby. But she had no problem, even liked the idea.
“Of course! I had already decided to stay.”
Glenda hugged her, and turned back to Dr. Bear. “And when will you come back? When should I call you?”
“I’ll come by again the day after tomorrow. And remember…” The doctor had raised her voice. “Tiny will move in and out of sleep all twentyfour hours. It can be a problem that sometimes she’s in between sleep and waking. She may dream while she’s awake. That can be very frightening. Bathe her in cool water when that happens. And here, this is a strong fever medicine. Give it regularly according to directions. Do not overdo it. A cool washcloth and water to drink are a must. And give her constant attention if she is dreaming while awake. Get her to sit up. Find any way you can to entertain her, reassure her. Have one of you nearby at all times… I’m sorry if I can’t give you better news. We will probably know more in a few days, and I’ll call. I’m sorry, but right now I have to return to the hospital. More cases come in all the time. Some parents are not prepared for twenty-four hour duty, and the hospital is crowded.”
“Just one more question. Adults just don’t get this virus?”
“Very rarely.” Dr. Bear put on her coat and hat, and retrieved her bag. Glenda followed her out the door thanking her over and over. Tiny was sleeping.
When Glenda returned out of the rain she hugged Abby and wept on her shoulder for a minute, and then pulled herself together. “I’m so grateful. But I’m overwhelmed. Let’s make a quick plan.”
“I’ve already thought of that.” Abby was very cheerful, and smiled.
“You should eat and go to sleep as soon as possible. I feel ready for this. I’ve learned a lot, and wouldn’t sleep anyway. Let’s get a soup on the stove. I’ll sit with Tiny all night. My sleep schedule has been very strange this past week,
so this is nothing new.”
They chopped vegetables and fried very small pieces of chicken,
covered them with water, and left the pot to simmer. Glenda flopped down on the living room couch and Abby turned out the light.
Watching Tiny sleep, she was astonished to see so much movement of
the eyes under their lids, so many changes of expression. It was obvious that a world of things was happening inside her heart and soul. Life was taking place. Time went by. Abby had an interesting thought.
Hmm… wasn’t I just asking ‘Free to do what?’ Wasn’t I wondering how to repay the Great Mystery for saving me, and hopefully all those poor souls mumbling in that deep dark region? That was some sort of demon in charge. But I held my own! And when I got in too deep, and was about to be lost, someone saved us with that incredible light. That really happened! I must write it down, and think it through word by word.
Tiny’s eyes opened. She focused on Abby’s face.
“Were you telling a story?”
“Yes, the story you and your friends made up about our play-city and forest.”
“Can you tell me about that? I must have fallen asleep.”
Abby decided to start at the beginning. “We made a city of blocks, and gathered baby maple trees for the forest. You chose to be the Good Fairy. Franklyn put a wizard in the forest, and a dragon guarding a treasure. Bad guys from the town wanted to steal the treasure, and Robin Hood’s band and Kayla’s gnomes helped protect the forest…”
Tiny interrupted. “Is there a hospital?”
Abby admitted that she wasn’t sure if anyone had thought of that, but a hospital could certainly be added…
Tiny interrupted. “Did anyone ask what I asked? About Dr. Bear visiting the hospital?”
Abby wasn’t sure what to say. Tiny asked if children had to go to the hospital.
I didn’t expect this! thought Abby.I have no idea…
“Why don’t you say something?” Tiny asked.
“Oh… I’m having a hard time remembering.”
“Mom is going to have a hard time going out.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Abby was struggling, feeling totally out of her depth.
“Because she’ll slip,” Tiny went on.
“Why?”
“The ground is wet and cold. You slip when the ground is wet, don’t
you? Coats are meant to be worn, aren’t they?”
“Definitely.” At least one answer I’m sure of, thought Abby. But I’m lost.
“We don’t want to get sick again, do we?”
“No, not at all.”
“Then we’ll have to have the doctor come, right? And we’ll just slip and slide. Slip and slide, dip and glide… We don’t want to do that but something happens, right?”
I’m lost.
“Slip and slide, dip and die. Dip and die, dip and die.”
Abby’s eyes filled with tears.
“What’s the matter?”
“I’m having trouble understanding.”
“Can you tell me about that?”
“It has something to do with talking to Dr. Bear.”
“Will she know better?”
I’m lost, lost.
“Dip and die, dip and die, deep and dip and die.”
Abby could not speak.
“Will you tell me what happens to the forest when the bad guys come?Who are the bad guys?”
“That’s a big part of the story.”
“Will you tell it?”
“I’ll try… I just can’t find a way to start.”
“Abby?”
“Mm hmm.”
“Where did all of this come from? How is it that we’re here?”
“I think… that’s a question for the Good Fairy, or Reverend Tuck, or my godmother.”
Abby was afraid Tiny would ask about her godmother, but Tiny went
on with her own remarkable thoughts.
“Where do we go once it’s over? And how do we keep the things we
love?” Tiny paused. “Are you crying?”
“No, no. That’s okay. I love you.”
“Abby?”
“Mm hmm.”
“I’ll miss all of this when I’m grown up… Will you keep it for me?”
“I’ll do my best, I promise you. I know I’ll miss it too. We’ll need the help of the Good Fairy. Maybe she knows a way.”
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s okay… I’m just… crying.”
