Chp. 5

Misdiagnosed

Around 4:45, Prue, Piper, and Pheobe hopped into Prue's BMW. All 3 of them were nervous, but none of them said anything. Pheobe was still thinking the worst, but she didn't want to worry Prue, or Piper for that matter. They pulled up to Memorial at 5 on the dot. All three of them hopped out of the car. Prue was shaking as Pheobe put her arm around her, just as Piper had a day before. Piper walked up next to Prue on her other side and stroked her hair. Pheobe was holding back tears and Piper was mentally telling herself to be strong for the other two. Prue, on the other hand, was openly crying.

Dr. Williamson was waiting for them inside the door and he led them into an office. Piper found it odd that they were in an office, not an examination room, but she knew that the other two noticed so she kept quiet.

"Ms. Halliwell, we need to discuss your appointment the other day," Dr. Williamson began.

"What about it?" Pheobe asked for Prue, who was still sobbing. Piper couldn't seem to talk, although she wasn't crying. Pheobe was being strong, but silently crying inside.

"We have a slight problem that needs immediate attention," he answered calmly.

"What kind of a problem, Doctor?" Prue said, trying to sound strong, but not suceeding. Piper stroked Prue's hair.

"Well, um, we had a mis...mis...misunderstanding of her...illness," The doctor answered, still calm as a cucumber. But that didn't apply to Prue, Piper, and Pheobe. Pheobe was having an internal breakdown...and the other two, well, they were frozen in fear.

"What illness? She's not sick," Pheobe insisted.

"That is what we thought."
"What do you mean we THOUGHT? Don't you mean you knew, and you STILL KNOW?" Pheobe yelled. By this time she had stood up and hovered over the doctor. She was mad. "This is insane. You don't even know what is going on with your paitent."

"Well, now we do, Ms. Halliwell," Dr. Williamson said, trying to forget Pheobe's words. In some ways, she was right. He had misdiagnosed many people, causing some sudden deaths. But all in all, he was a great doctor. Once he found the problem, if it wasn't too late, he could get rid of it. He just couldn't take criticism, and he had just suffered a major blow.

"Then what, exaclty, is going on?" Piper asked. "You said my sister is fine. What else must you say? And what is this illness you speak of?" Piper said, seeming just as enraged as Pheobe.

"Maybe it's best if I tell Prue first. What do you think, Prue?"

"Tell her what?" Piper asked.

'If it's bad, I want my sisters here. Unless they don't want to know until I do. But, well...I don't know. Kick them out if you want...tell me first...I don't care,"

"No...Prue, I am staying, no matter what Piper does. I am gonna be here for you," Pheobe said. By this time they all knew something was wrong. But they were all praying that they were wrong.

"I don't know if that's best for Prue, Pheobe," Dr. Williamson sighed. He wanted to get this out of him as quickly as possible.

"No, I want them to stay," Prue blurted firmly.

"Okay. In that case, both of you can stay," Dr. Williamson said. "Okay...the news. Prue was...she was misdiagnosed."