#59
The trio had a corner of the ER waiting room all to themselves. The skunk odor was more pronounced the longer Evie went without another shower. The nurse, tired of fielding complaints from other clients, arranged for a room and required them to clean up.
Dr. Phillips was observing the clan; and when they didn't go for breakfast he consulted the nurse once again. Breakfast was delivered, with instructions to eat in a hurry as he wanted to see the children right away.
Evie started to protest the charity, when she noticed the hungry way the kids were eyeing the tray of food.
"Thank you," she said stiffly. "Thank you's" from Benny and Clora were mumbled around mouthfulls of food. Evie was so hungry, she remembered they hadn't had supper. "Children," she spoke softly as to not alert the sharp eyed, bionic hearing ER nurse; :You must remind me about eating. I can't believe I forgot about supper. I get so nervous and upset, please forgive an old lady."
Clora and Benny were busy filling empty tummy's. They stopped long enough to give Evie a hug, but got right back to the business of eating. The fact that Evie divided up most of her tray so the children would have more; did not escape the notice of Donna Pingree.
The ER waiting room was Donna's world and she ruled with an iron fist. Running a tight ship kept a slew of hurting, unruly people under control. There had to be order, and she was in charge. Most of the time she added, 'and don't you forget it," under her breath. Donna dutifully made notes of the clan's behaviour, as requested by Dr. Phillips.
Clora went first, then Benny went in for checks. Both later reported to Evie that there were three doctors checking on them. It was x-rays, blood draws, stethscopes, until they were sick and tired of the whole process. There were consulations, hemming and hawing, the thumping of papers and sometime heated arguements and eventually the children were discharged back to the waiting room.
By the time the kids came back through the doors, Evie was sick with worry. Worry about Jane, worry about Benny and Clora, worry about Brett, and especially worry about Hap and the two younger Appertons at home without heat and food. She had worn a trail around the ER room, until Donna was dizzy.
Sheriff Will opened the ER door just in time to hear Donna ordering Evie to go sit down or she was gonna throw her outside. Evie took a deep breath and was about to give Donna a leveling blast, when her arm was grabbed and she was spun around and marched back in the corner.
Will hissed, "sit down. Dr. Phillips will be here shortly." Evie looked up in alarm, and Will replied in a low voice, "yes, they asked me to be here. I am, now sit down." and he tugged gently, guiding Evie back into the orange plastic seat.
Instead, Dr. Phillips motioned them into his office, and closed the door. "The three children we have examined, and operated on the youngest, all have severe heart valve conditions. I have to assume the other two are impacted in a similiar way. I am asking you for permission to treat, as you seem to have custody."
Evie rubbed her face to clear the cobwebs. "Doctor Phillips" she began formally, "My son may or may not be the children's father. Sue Apperton their mother....." Evie teared up against her will. "Sue left the children two months ago with this authorization." Out of her bottomless pockets came the piece of notbookpaper that Sue wrote giving Evie permission to have and care and control the children."
Dr. Phillips reached for the letter and read it completely. Finished, he handed it to Will. Will skimmed the paper, nodding and handed it back to Evie.
"Sue Apperton has not been located," Will informed them. "She has dropped out of sight. We need to get on this Evie," Will looked at her calmly."These kids are sick, and the sooner the better."
"Will," Evie practically whispered; "We have no money. No money" she emphasised. "How can I say no, how can I pay?" wringing her hands, Evie so urgently needed to get up and pace.
"The hospital foundation has agreed to waive the room costs, and the doctors have agreed to perform the surgeries gratis," Phillips ran his fingers through his short cropped hair. "But only," he cautioned, "if the work is done in a timely manner. Meaning soon," he clarified for the nervous old lady's benefit.
Evie slumped in the chair. "Anything for the children," she whispered. "Anything." Evie hated dealing with Dr. Phillips. He was the symbol of all the pain and suffering she knew lay ahead for the whole family. "Will," she questioned, "if this came from our side of the family, what about Brett and Patty?"
Will nodded his understanding, "don't worry. They will be checked." The sheriff looked at Doc. and the medical man agreed silently.
"Evie, let me take you and the kids home. I know you are fretting about leaving Hap this long. Doc, can we button this up for now?" Will questioned, already standing to move the situtation along. Phillips yawned, and then covered his mouth belatedly. "Sorry," he said tiredly; "long night. Oh, yeah. Have the kids here on Wednesday."
"Ok," Evie acquiesced quietly. "Will, the children and I would appreciate a ride home." With her mind humming in a dozen different directions, Grandmother Evie sat in the car unable to coherently focus on one single topic. The boys naturally thought riding in the sheriff's car was great fun, all the way home they begged Will to use the lights and siren. Clora and Inky retained their dignity, ignoring those clunky boys. Will regretted the offer of a ride, he had forgotton about Inky and the skunk.
Will noticed the smoke the closer they got to the Hanson house. Huge billowing clouds of thick black smoke.