The flu had hit Seymour's Bay hard. It wasn't uncommon for kids to miss weeks of school and adults were out of work for weeks as well. Wagstaff had relaxed their policy that required a doctor's note for more than three days consecutive absences. The medical facilities in the area were overwhelmed and urging people only to seek medical attention if it were absolutely necessary. Regular Sized Rudy had spent ten days in the hospital with complications. Unfortunately, Mort had become overwhelmed with new clients as well. Mainly the elderly and infirm, but he had seen more young and otherwise healthy people than he cared too as well. Early on in Rudy's hospitalization he was fully expecting the young boy to end up on his table as well. Bob still shuddered at the memory of the hushed conversations about how to break the news to Louise "If the worst happened." Thankfully, Rudy managed to make a full recovery. Though he did end up missing a month of school in the process.
Bob was surprised by how long his family had avoided the flu despite running a restaurant and the children all being in school. Louise was the first to go down. Bob followed a few days later. Then Linda about five days after Bob. Gene got sick almost immediately after Linda and Tina managed to stay healthy a full week after her mom and Gene went down. Bob was sick for about a week and a half and still feeling off for another week. Linda was only down for about six days. Tina and Gene were each sick for right around a week. Then there was Louise. She was sick for two entire weeks. There were several times she almost ended up in the emergency room but narrowly avoided it each time. She went back to school in the third week but just that took everything out of her. She helped in the restaurant as much as she did before, but Bob noticed she was falling asleep in the back booth almost daily. Most days she went to bed right after dinner. Naturally, Bob and Linda were very concerned, but she wasn't running fevers or vomiting. Linda called their pediatrician who assured her that this was a nasty stain, and some people just took longer to fully recover.
Louise managed to get through one full week being back in school before thing started going down hill again. She was running a low-grade fever when Linda went to wake her Monday morning and complaining that it was hard to breathe. Linda wanted to take her to the hospital, but she refused. By that afternoon she couldn't keep anything down. She seemed almost like her old self on Tuesday but because she had been feverish and vomiting less than twenty-four hours prior. She missed another day of school. She again returned to school on Wednesday. She managed to stay awake through the afternoon and was even misbehaving slightly in the restaurant. She ate most of her dinner but ended up falling asleep at the table. Bob carried her to bed that night. Thursday was different. She made it another full school day, but never came down to the restaurant after homework time. Tina checked on her and found her asleep at her desk. She slept through the night.
Then came Friday. Louise woke up drenched in sweat and feeling awful. Her chest was tight and hurt worse than the time she was goofing off with Gene and he accidentally kicked her there. She wondered if a nine-year-old could have a heart attack. She was about to call Linda and inform her she was sick again. When she remembered that the Asian Cultural Center in Bog Harbor would be hosting a "Hawk and Chick" movie marathon the next day. Complete with a Q and A by Koji and Yuki and swag bags. No way she was missing that but it she was too sick for school surely; she was too sick for a movie marathon. Just climbing down the stairs of her loft bed took everything she had. She managed to find the thermometer and was relieved to see her temperature was normal. She got dressed and stumbled into the kitchen already out of breath.
"Louise you are breathing awful hard. Are you OK?" Bob observed.
"Fine" Louise lied.
Louise made it to school grateful for the small mercies of Gene having to turn in a model of Mercury complete with poster board with facts about the planet for a science project. Which meant that Bob drove the kids to school and the fact she was excused from gym for the rest of the week. Still, she could barely manage to stay awake through her morning classes. Ms. Labonz was giving a lesson on local history. Talking about the town's role in the production of "The Deepening" normally Louise would have been fascinated by that topic. She knew a good chunk of the story from Teddy, but it was pretty one sided. Today however she could not keep her eyes open.
"Care to join us, Louise?" Ms. Labonz barked.
"Oh, uh seventy-two?" Louise guessed incorrectly.
"Yes, seventy-two was the answer to the math question I asked you an hour ago, but this is about why they chose Wonder Wharf to film "The Deepening" I know you know the answer. Your dad's friend worked on the movie, and you are our shark expert." Ms. Labonz explained.
"I know I am sorry I just don't feel well." Louise explained.
"I'm not falling for that one." Ms. Labonz sighed.
"She does look awful sweaty." Rudy commented.
"Yeah, but that's just because she never showers." Chloe snorted.
"Chloe!" Louise cried she spun around but felt dizzy. "Woah" she moaned.
"Let's get back to work. Lunch is in fifteen minutes Louise. Do you think you can make it that long?" Ms. Labonz asked.
Louise noticed that Rudy kept his eyes on her the rest of the lesson. She was seriously dreaming going to the nurse's office during her break. Until she remembered the "Hawk and Chick" festival. She knew going home would mean no festival. She perked up and forced herself to focus on the remainder of the lesson. Trying to ignore Rudy's concerned stare. They were walking to lunch when she found herself again out of breath.
"Louise, I think you need this." Rudy commented handing her his inhaler.
"Thank you" Louise gasped after taking two puffs.
"That was scary. You should go to the nurse." Rudy insisted.
"Rudy I can't do that." Louise moaned.
"Why not?" Rudy demanded.
"Because I might have asthma and asthma is expensive. My parents can't afford asthma." Louise explained.
"So, you are just going to spend the rest of your life hoping somebody always has an inhaler?" Rudy gasped.
"Yeah" Louise replied.
Mercifully, Louise got through the rest of the day with little problem. Besides still struggling to stay awake. She was the last out of her desk when the dismissal bell rang and had to spend five minutes assuring Ms. Labonz that she was fine. She found herself once again out of breath. It took everything she had to walk to the front doors. Where Tina and Gene were waiting.
"Are you OK, Louise?" Tina asked.
"Yeah, you are all sweaty." Gene added.
"Just a little winded is all." Louise replied.
"Just from walking out here?" Tina gasped furrowing her brows.
"Yeah, but you know that flu. I. Bwaggghh" Louise replied before vomiting all over the steps.
"Louise!" Tina cried.
"M Fine" Louise insisted weakly.
"Louise! You're burning up!" Tina cried placing her hand on Louise's forehead.
"You are. We should go to the nurse." Gene confirmed.
"Not sure I can walk." Louise moaned.
"Gene! Stay with Louise! I am going to go for help!" Tina cried.
Louise's fever was only one hundred point four degrees and while her breathing was labored it eased once she was lying down. Linda called the pediatrician, but he did not have any appointments that day. His next appointment was Monday at ten. The urgent care centers and emergency rooms were still overburdened. He advised Linda to monitor Louise's symptoms and if she got any worse bring her straight to the ER. Bob put Louise to bed as soon as the Belchers arrived home. She ran fevers off and on throughout the night. She had fallen asleep in the nurse's office and woke only for a few bathroom trips and to attempt to eat dinner. She ended up again falling asleep at the table. Once again Bob had to carry her to bed.
Louise was feeling much better on Saturday. Her forehead was cool, and she actually had some energy. She still felt congested but was not getting out of breath as easy as she had the day before.
"Good morning." Louise greeted entering the kitchen.
"Good morning, Louise glad to see you are feeling better." Bob commented.
"Oh, my baby! You look so much better!" Linda cried.
"So can we go to the "Hawk and Chick" festival?" Louise asked hopefully.
"I wish but you had flu symptoms within twenty-four hours. I am sorry." Bob apologized.
"Please" Louise begged.
"I am sorry but that is the policy of the center." Bob explained.
"Well great! The one good thing to happen in forever and I have to miss it!" Louise cried.
"It's OK I am sure you will be well enough to go to the next fan club meeting on Thursday." Bob assured.
"Yeah, I better." Louise snirted.
By lunch time Louise was running a fever again. This one was higher than any of the ones the day before but still not high enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. Bob ended up leaving Linda in charge downstairs. He went up to the apartment and put on one of the "Hawk and Chick" tapes. Louise was so disappointed about having to miss the festival. He decided to put on their own marathon. He made popcorn and poured them each a glass of Louise's favorite soda. Louise was out like a light by the second movie. Bob lies back on the couch and pulled Louise onto his chest. Suddenly an overwhelming since of dread came over him and he pulled her closer gently stroking her hair.
"Are you OK, Bobby?" Linda asked.
"I have a bad feeling Lin." Bob admitted.
"Are you sick too?" Linda questioned.
"No. I just I don't know. I think something is wrong with her." Bob explained.
"Should we go to the ER?" Linda asked.
"No" Louise moaned.
"Not now but if you get any worse, we have to." Bob reminded.
Sunday was another bad day for Louise. The fever that started Saturday night never broke. She was again unable to keep anything down. She slept through the entire day. Bob and Linda each were checking her every hour. Her fever remained stable never dropping but also never getting any higher. She was not getting any better. Needless to say, Bob and Linda were relieved she would be seeing the pediatrician in the morning.
Sunday night everything went to hell. Louise was fast asleep. She had been sleeping for most of twenty-four hours now. Linda had made her some chicken soup knowing she would not be able to keep the macaroni casserole she had made for everybody else down. Bob and the kids had sat down to eat. While Linda went to bring Louise her dinner. She knew right away that something was terribly wrong. The room reeked of sweat and Louise was wheezing. Linda set the soup on the desk and climbed part way up the stairs to Louise's bed.
"Louise? I made you some soup." Linda called gently.
She got no response she called louder. Again, no response. Now she was very worried. She climbed the rest of the way up the stairs and gently shook Louise's shoulder. She was hot to the touch. Now Linda's heart was racing.
"LOUISE! WAKE! UP! NOW!" Linda cried.
"I don wanna burger school Teddy." Louise rambled.
Now Linda was terrified. She ran down the steps and grabbed the thermometer off the desk. She climbed back on the bed. Now Louise was sitting up clutching her chest, her eyes wide with fear.
"I think I'm having a heart attack, mommy." Louise whimpered.
"Louise nine-year old don't have heart attacks." Linda assured.
"But my chest hurts." Louise sobbed.
With that Louise once again collapsed onto her bed. Linda had never been more terrified in her life. Surely Louise wasn't having a heart attack, but something was seriously wrong with her. Linda fumbled around with the thermometer before managing to get it into Louise' mouth. After what felt like an eternity it finally beeped. When Linda read the numbers, she could not help but scream "106.4" it read in bright red.
"BOBBY!" Linda screamed.
Back in the kitchen Bob had told Tina and Gene to wait for Linda, but after ten minutes he gave in and allowed his older children to eat. He was just about to take his first bite. When he heard Linda scream. Followed by his name. In a flash Bob was bursting into Louise's room. Linda was standing in the middle of the room holding Louise in her arms. She was completely limp and for a horrible second Bob thought she was dead.
"Bobby, she's burning up. Her fever is one hundred and six." Linda sobbed.
"Are you sure?" Bob asked.
"I checked three times, and she says her chest hurts." Linda explained.
"We have to get to the hospital." Bob cried.
"they said only one parent. They are so crowded, and they want to keep contamination down." Linda sobbed.
"I'll take her." Bob sighed. He had less than no desire to face this alone but knew Linda still had PTSD from Louise's birth. Having to rush Louise in a critical state to the same hospital where they learned Linda was in labor at only thirty-two weeks would surely be a trigger.
"Thank you." Linda whimpered.
Tina and Gene were confused and frightened. They were in the middle of dinner when they heard Linda screaming. Now Bob had brought Louise out and set her on the couch. Along with a small duffle bag. Linda entered the kitchen. She wrapped Bob's food in saran wrap and placed it into the fridge. Wordlessly she dished up her own food staring straight ahead.
"What's going on?" Tina finally asked.
"Louise is very sick. Your dad is taking her to the hospital." Linda explained.
The drive to the hospital was hell for Bob. He kept reaching into the backseat to make sure that Louise was still alive. She had not woken up through the entire ordeal of being moved from her room. She did not wake when Bob ran with her down the stairs and now even with him practically speeding, she did not move. Upon arriving to the hospital, he parked in the first spot he could find, grabbed Louise, and ran as fast as he could towards the building. Louise was now turning blue, and her eyes looked like they were bulging out of the sockets. He ran straight into a nurse getting off duty. The thirty something looked annoyed at first until she saw the condition Louise was in. She immediately grabbed her phone and called inside.
"Deb it's Jo. I've got a pediatric case outside. turning blue her father says her fever is one hundred and six. This needs an immediate admit." Jo ordered.
Bob was halfway to the building when a pair of nurses met him with a stretcher. In a flash Louise was on the gurney and whisked into a small room in the back of the ER. They hooked her up to oxygen and a doctor ordered a chest X-Ray as soon as possible. The suspected diagnosis was pneumonia, but they ran tests for flu, RSV, and strep as well. It took three hours but eventually, Louise was rushed off for a chest X-Ray. Bob texted Linda the information he had while he waited.
It was getting late. Tina and Gene had been asleep or at least in their rooms. Linda however was unable to even think about sleeping. Not until she had news about her baby. Pneumonia was a terrifying thought. Even though Louise was young and healthy the effects could still be devasting. Ginger's niece had died from pneumonia was she was only thirteen and she had been perfectly healthy. Finally, around midnight the phone rang, and it was Bob.
"Linda, I already called Teddy. He is coming to get you to drive you here. They are transferring Louise to Bog Harbor." Bob explained.
"So, it is pneumonia?" Linda questioned.
"Yes, she has pneumonia in both lungs, but Lin. Lin they found something else on the X-Ray. They have to send her to Bog Harbor for more tests." Bob explained his voice was cracking the entire time and by the end he was in tears.