After a second kiss, she dismissed the thought, deciding that Lucas's temperature was the same it had been when she'd kissed him earlier.
Chapter 15
The next morning, after a fitful night of sleep and some much-needed showering, Karen and the four teenagers headed back to the hospital. There, Karen headed immediately down the hall to room 469. She was startled when the door opened toward her, just as she grabbed the handle. Karen stepped back as Dr. Li emerged from Lucas's room.
"Ah, Mrs. Scott," Dr. Li said. "How are you this morning?"
"Actually, it's Ms. Rowe. But call me Karen," she replied. "I'm doing well, all things considered. But perhaps the more important question is, how is my son?"
"Yes, yes, you are correct," Dr. Li said. "As for young Lucas, I will be able to tell you more if you will wait a little while. He is now running a fever and has signs of infection, so I have just sent a blood culture to the lab. The results should be up in an hour or so, and I will know more then. Until then, you may go in if you wish." He held the door open for Karen, who walked in.
It was obvious, looking at Lucas, that he was not well. His skin had paled noticeably, and had taken on a slightly greenish tinge. He was sweating. It broke Karen's heart to see her son that way, and not be able to help him. She sat in the chair beside the bed and held Lucas's hand, talking to him and assuring him that she loved him.
"As I suspected," Dr. Li said later in the waiting room, "the blood cultures indicate that Lucas is suffering from an infection. Specifically, peritonitis—that is, an infection of the membrane surrounding the bowels, which, as you recall, were perforated in the initial accident. We've already begun a course of anti-biotics, but he's going to need another operation. And for that, Ms. Rowe, I need your signature."
Karen signed the form as indicated, and then sat back in her chair to wait.
"The surgery went well," Dr. Li said a couple of hours later, "but now we must wait to see if the antibiotics are effective. I ask that you wait a while—two hours or so—before going in to Lucas's room, until the anesthetic has worn off and he is more stable. After that, you may visit as you wish."