Downright Dead

by Barbara Ebel

  “Easy for you to say.” The next contraction clamped down and waves of movement rippled across her abdomen. Amy leaned forward and grimaced with all her might. The baby’s head bulged, pushing against her vagina like it was desperate to get out.

  Harry’s face went a shade whiter. “Are you still sure you don’t want any anesthesia?”

  Her pain eased. “Too late for that!” she exclaimed. “You’re the one who could use some. What I need is to get baby Bobby out of me and food and water into me. Damn! I haven’t had anything to eat in a gazillion hours!”

  Annabel glanced at the nurse. They both tried to suppress a smile.

  The next wave of pain started. “A Big Mac and French fries,” she blurted out, and then concentrated on her breathing. Now she absolutely didn’t care what was going on down there and who was doing what. Certainly, all modesty and attempts at dignity were thrown out the window.

  Dr. Harvey stepped right behind Caleb, who was gowned, gloved, and masked. “You’re almost there,” Dr. Gash said to Amy as the infant’s head protruded.

  A tray table with the needed medical supplies were next to Caleb. His attending gestured toward the episiotomy scissors.

  “No anus is tearing under my watch,” Dr. Harvey said.

  Annabel at least understood what he was talking about, but had to laugh at his remark. At least when things were going as they should, she thought, there was room for humor in the delivery room.

  Caleb picked up the blunt-tipped episiotomy scissors. He used them to make an incision to the perineum to widen the vaginal canal for delivery. By cutting the muscle between the vagina and rectum, he would prevent the vagina from tearing.

  Amy concentrated deeper than before. She pushed with all her might. The bottom of her was on fire. What felt like a basketball popped out as everyone in the room saw a giant head pop out. But her temporary relief was fleeting as the second round of pain finished her off. The baby’s shoulders followed.

  Under the mask, Caleb was as proud as the father. He didn’t mind that he held a slimy newborn with a big cone head. Everything had gone well, and when that happened, it was the best thing about OB.

  Wearing a huge smile, Amy grasped her husband’s hand to the side. She lost track of time as the doctors continued with their afterbirth chores. But after all the “awwws” about baby Bobby, Caleb picked up suture material and began sewing her vagina back up.

  “I never realized how much easier a C-section is,” Amy lamented. She winced with pain.

  “Now Susan and your dog Blue will have Bobby to play with,” Annabel said, trying to distract her. “My friend and I bit the bullet and adopted the dog we were thinking about.”

  Amy nodded and managed to smile. “What did you name him and is he adapting to his new situation?”

  “We named him Oliver. He has two new homes and he’ll have so much love in his life, he’s going to blossom like a rose.”

  -----

  With excellent Apgar scores, newborn baby Bobby was taken over to the nursery. Caleb wrote the notes that were needed in Amy’s chart and the electronic medical record, and then Roosevelt congregated his resident and student in the hallway.

  “Nice job,” Dr. Harvey said. “And we can pat ourselves on the back. With Mrs. Wagner’s help and cooperation, we pulled off a successful TOLAC.”

  Dr. Harvey looked at his wristwatch. “The hours are flying by. What do we need to put next on the top of our list?” He pushed his coat to the side, shoved his shirt in, and looked at Annabel. Caleb was still wearing a silly grin from his flawless delivery.

  “I have all the pending labwork on patients,” Annabel said. “Nothing was abnormal. May I suggest we visit Bonnie Barker and discharge her if nothing has changed after her transfer?”

  “Excellent idea.”

  They headed towards Bonnie Barker’s old room before her ICU experience. If Annabel was any judge of character, she could swear Dr. Harvey was enjoying himself a lot more than usual … maybe with the sense of vigor like the old days when he was a resident.

  CHAPTER 21

  Bonnie Barker, nestled deep into the chair, held Sam with a baby blanket wrapped around her. After allowing her to nurse to her heart’s content, she lowered the baby to her lap and adjusted her top. Tony enjoyed watching them and was ready to help her out in any way he could. Bonnie glanced at him.

  “It’s your turn,” Bonnie said. “Would you like to hold Samantha?”

  “More than anything.” He crouched over and tenderly picked up his infant. He rocked the baby in his arms while Bonnie grinned.

  “You’re amazing,” Tony said.

  “She is, isn’t she?”

  Tony shot Bonnie a glance. “Sam is amazing, but I was talking about you.”

  “Oh. So are you.”

  He disregarded her remark. “I don’t know any medical stuff, or the junk that goes on in hospitals, but seems to me you have had a horrid time of it since you got here and you’re brushing it off with a smile.”

  “What else am I supposed to do? Cry? Look at the result. I’m okay and, despite Samantha having this fragile bone problem, she’s going to be okay too. She has two parents who are going to see to it.”

  Tony half-closed his eyes and his lips trembled. That may be the case, he thought, but they’d be better off married. He sighed and continued to sway the bundle in his arms.

  Bonnie scooted forward and turned to the side, facing him fully. “Did you really mean it when you alluded to us getting married in the past?”

  “I did. I still think it would be best for us all, but I’m not going to belabor the point; otherwise, I would never find out if you really cared about me if I pressure you into it.”

  “Tony, I’m sorry. The best guy in the world has been right in front of me and I was too stupid to see it. In and out of my narcotic slump, all I did was think about you. All I did was want to reach out and tell you that I love you. Does the offer still stand? For us to tie the knot?”

  He stared at her, a warm feeling growing in his heart.

  “For us to get married,” Bonnie added. She thought she was clear, but he sat there with his lips clamped like an oyster.

  “Hallelujah! There is a God. Absolutely. I love you too.” He held Samantha with his right arm, rose from the bed, and put his hand behind Bonnie’s shoulder. They kissed and he crouched down next to the chair. They both peered down at their baby, Samantha’s eyes glued on Tony.

  “Maybe her bones will be sturdy enough,” Bonnie said, “and you can teach her how to play soccer.”

  -----

  With the obstetric medical team down to three, they slipped into Bonnie Barker’s room. Maintaining his balance on his sneakers, Tony was hunched down next to Bonnie’s arm chair with Samantha in his arms. Annabel’s heart warmed at the sight. They were wrapped up in their own world and didn’t notice the team’s entrance until they were practically on top of them.

  Dr. Harvey cleared his throat and Bonnie looked over. “I made it back to where I started,” she said, “thanks to all of you, and Dr. Watson.”

  Annabel didn’t mention that she would not have gone to the ICU in the first place if Dr. Watson had practiced careful penmanship. She was only in training, but it amazed her the things that patients did not know … like what went on behind the scenes.

  “And we have an announcement to make.” The sparkle in Bonnie’s eyes became brighter. “Tony and I are getting married.”

  “Congratulations,” Dr. Harvey said.

  “When’s the big day?” Caleb asked.

  Bonnie and Tony shrugged. “We haven’t gotten that far yet,” Tony said.

  “Hopefully, as soon as possible,” Bonnie said.

  “This is terrific news,” Annabel said. “Congratulations.”

  Dr. Harvey scanned Bonnie’s bedside chart, which had a new set of vital signs. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’ll live, despite a little sore throat and being tired.”

  “You had a br
eathing tube in your windpipe, so that is understandable. Your irritated throat will get better. And your blood count is improving after that hemorrhage, so in the coming weeks, you will feel perkier.”

  Roosevelt turned to Annabel. “What are her lab values?”

  Annabel rattled them off from her card.

  “All are within normal limits.”

  “Dr. Harvey,” Bonnie said, “the pediatrician said we can take Samantha home when you discharge me, if we closely follow her up in the clinic within a week. Can’t you send me home? I’m ready. I’m sure of it.”

  Roosevelt laughed and raised his sagging shoulders. “I couldn’t deny that request if my life depended on it.”

  “You’re just saying that,” Bonnie chided back. “You wouldn’t send me if I still had medical issues.”

  “So true. How about this? We’ll coincide an obstetric out-patient clinic appointment before or after Samantha’s appointment and we’ll discharge you today. It’s getting late, but Dr. Gash, your nurse, and the unit secretary can hustle for you.”

  Bonnie’s face lit up like Christmas lights at Opryland and Tony stood and twirled around once with Samantha. The team advanced to the doorway.

  “We wish you the best,” Annabel said.

  “We’ll send you in a throat lozenge while you’re waiting,” Dr. Harvey said.

  Annabel chuckled.

  “What?” Dr. Harvey asked her.

  Annabel shook her head in the hallway. “They love you too.”

  “Speaking of love, congratulations on the new pet. You’re a brave woman to take on the added responsibility during medical school, but it sounds like you have it all figured out.”

  “Yeah,” Caleb said, “a dog sounds like super companionship while studying. I wish I was organized enough to take care of a another living being besides myself. Maybe I can borrow him sometime.”

  “Maybe Bob and I can rent him out while either or both of us are on vacation, away, or whatever.”

  -----

  Bob tucked the vet’s bill into his pocket and left their office with Oliver on a leash. The dog had been a big hit with their staff due to his affability and beautiful coat, but Bob snarled at the price of the bill as he started the car. He glanced in the rearview mirror and acknowledged to himself that he was already quite fond of the dog. Even if he had to scrimp with his monthly budget and deprive himself of an occasional fancy coffee from the hospital, he would do so. They were too expensive anyway, he thought.

  He never asked his folks for money. His mother was a nurse in a physician’s office and his dad was an electrician who had cut back on his hours due to chronic back pain. They supported him emotionally and were super proud of him, but they could not help him out financially. In essence, he hoped someday he would be able to kick in some of his salary for their golden years. Maybe his dad could retire altogether.

  It was different for Annabel, he thought. If she had a pinch with money, all she had to do was ask her dad. He even covered her credit card for her Uber habit, which was actually a smart idea since she lived with a parking problem for her SUV. He was glad for her fortunate circumstance and also admired her for never taking them for granted. He had loved meeting them in Nashville and hoped the opportunity would present itself again.

  Each day, Bob felt his tiredness dissipating. He was beginning to look forward to getting back to the wards in a few days and finishing up internal medicine as well as spending part of tomorrow morning with Annabel. He looked again in the mirror. Oliver stared back, his paws on the top of the back seat.

  “When we arrive home,” Bob said, “let’s see how smart you are.”

  Bob let Oliver pee by the parking lot and hustled him into his apartment. He grabbed a few biscuits in his hand. Oliver already knew how to sit on command, but Bob wasn’t sure if he could give his paw.

  After the dog sat before him, Bob said, “You are the politest sitting dog I’ve ever seen.” He extended his hand, trying the command without a biscuit. “Gimme your paw, Oliver.”

  Oliver kept eye contact; his tail swooshed on the hardwood floor.

  “I guess not.” Bob cupped a treat in his hand, held it out, and repeated his command. Oliver nuzzled his fist. Bob tried it again, putting a bit more space between them and picking the dog’s leg up himself.

  Finally, the dog picked up his paw on his own and extended it.

  “Good dog, Oliver. Way to go.” He opened his hand and Oliver took the treat politely. After a few more of the same, Bob switched to “Gimme five,” and Oliver cooperated.

  “First attempt to teach you something, and you catch on like a champ. Good boy.” He gave the dog a hug, but Oliver tried to pry himself loose.

  “So you’re not the hugging type. I’ll try and respect your wishes.”

  He asked for another “high five” and the dog raised his right front leg exuberantly.

  “Wait till Annabel sees what you can do.”

  His iPhone dinged on the counter, alerting him to an incoming message from Annabel with the name of the funeral parlor.

  Why don’t we go together in my car? he responded. I’ll pick you up and, later on, drop you off at the hospital.

  Sounds good, she wrote. I won’t need a car service. Don’t forget our companion!

  He’s been ‘vetted,’ so I’ll fill you in. And there’s no way I will forget him!

  -----

  Annabel left the hospital at the end of the day in the best spirits she’d had since starting the rotation. Even though her scut work had increased, she had managed some study time in the lounge; she found out she could also hunt down Caleb or Roosevelt if they were nearby and ask them questions.

  She arrived home to her apartment by 6 p.m., scrambled together breakfast food for dinner, and started studying again. Choosing to sit at her desk, she avoided the temptation to be more comfortable and possibly fall asleep in her bed or her easy chair.

  She opened up her textbook to the subject of ectopic pregnancies, which were pregnancies occurring outside of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. They had an incidence of two percent of pregnancies in the United States, she read, and a woman could die if it ruptured and caused a hemorrhage. She studied the table of risk factors.

  If a woman came into the ER or a doctor’s office complaining of abdominal pain, she read, lack of menstruation or amenorrhea for four to six weeks, and irregular vaginal spotting, that would raise a high index of suspicion for an ectopic pregnancy. In particular, she must remember that for any future time she spent in the OB/GYN clinic.

  She glanced out her desk window to the dull view of the house next door, so she rolled forty-five degrees to her front window. The tree she loved had buds all over the branches and the squirrel’s nest was becoming a bit more camouflaged.

  From out in the kitchen, Annabel’s phone rang, so she padded out and answered.

  “Hello, gorgeous,” Dustin said.

  “You’re in a fine mood. You’ve never called me that. Plus, how do you know? I may be standing here with bags under my eyes, pillow hair, and chapped lips.”

  “If that were the case, you’d still be gorgeous.”

  “Whatever you say. I won’t stay on long because I’m buckling down to study, but how was your day?”

  “Then I won’t waste your time on the phone. Why don’t you come over later and sleep here? And if you didn’t eat yet, I’ll bring in take-out.” Now wasn’t the time to share his frightful close call at the diner.

  Annabel hesitated. Since she had leeway in the morning before going to the funeral service, his idea had merit. “All right. Let me study some more and I’ll be over later. I ate a hodgepodge of a dinner, so how about dessert?”

  “I’ll whip us up something.”

  “No you won’t.”

  “You’re right. I’ll go buy something.”

  “I can stop on the way.”

  “No way. I’ll see you later.”

  Annabel hung up. She committed herself to no
t being sidetracked and finished a thorough once-over of ectopic pregnancies. She packed a flattering silhouette nightgown, toiletries, and an outfit for the event in the morning. She headed out, aware that she must drive back to her place in the morning so Bob could pick her up.

  The night was lighter than normal on her drive to Dustin’s. A full moon hung like it was the only act going on in the sky. She cracked her windows and enjoyed the fresh air. She changed her car channel to her iPhone and started a medical podcast. It was amazing these days to be able to learn important subject matter from a phone instead of a book and learning while on the go.

  Annabel pulled behind Dustin’s vehicle in his car port and rapped on the front door. “Hey,” he said, opening the door and flashing a smile. His two-story house was small and she followed him to the kitchen.

  Annabel put her bag on the counter while Solar bobbed his head from his nearby cage. “What have you been up to?” Annabel asked the bird. “You’re quiet tonight.”

  Dustin rolled his eyes. “Just wait. He’s driving me crazy.”

  She turned back to the counter and now noticed an open cardboard box with a full, delectable-looking cake. An iced orange carrot stretched across the cream cheese frosting.

  “What a huge dessert, Dustin Lowe, and it looks scrumptious.” She glanced at him. He was staring at her instead of the contents of the box. “My mouth is watering. Where’d you buy this at this time of night?”

  “The best and closest restaurant around here.”

  He reached for plates and grabbed utensils while Annabel took it out of the box.

  “I should put candles on top just to make it special.”

  “Hell, it already is special. Is there an occasion going on here that I don’t know about?”

  Dustin pushed down on the knife and slithered two chunks on their plates. The slices left a trail of flaky, moist crumbs on the counter.

  “I had an eventful day. Sean and I were grabbing something to eat at our diner and a man came in with a firearm. He wanted to shoot the manager, missed, and grazed another employee.”