Chapter 3
After bundling Emily up and effectively carrying her down to the car, Ray navigated through Chicago's streets to County General. He glanced at Emily, who was sacked out in the front seat. All sorts of possibly diagnoses were going through his mind, and as he drove they became more and more absurd. African sleeping sickness? he asked himself. No, he mentally shook himself with a start, now you sound like you're the one who needs to go to the hospital. It has to be mono, and a blood test will confirm that.
At the same time, another thought crept into his mind. This was the first time Emily had ever gotten really sick. Of course, she'd had the normal gamut of colds, and the occasional ear infection. If, however, this was as he thought, it would be her first serious illness. He knew he was being ridiculous, but he wondered if it was somehow his fault. This never happened when their mom was alive. Ray shook himself again. Now you're really losing it, dude. These things happen. However, no matter what he told himself, he felt the familiar doubts about his parenting abilities arise again slightly.
Am I overreacting? Ray thought to himself again. She has a headache and a fever…but also severe fatigue. Classic mono symptoms! (And also African sleeping sickness) No, he reasoned it's just for a blood test, and if it's not mono, then whoops, okay, I made a mistake. But I'm not playing Dr. Barnett right now, so I can jump the gun all I want; I have a responsibility to this girl.
With that final thought, Ray coasted into a parking space, pulled the key out of the ignition, and turned to his sister. Placing a hand on her arm, he said in a low voice,
"Emily, c'mon we're here now." She stirred, giving a low moan. "C'mon, I'll help you." Ray walked around to her side, and wrapped his arm around her waist. Her eyes fluttered open, and he shot her a reassuring smile. "This won't be that bad, okay?"
After wading through the waiting room, they went up to the front desk.
"Hey, Frank. Is Abby around?" Ray asked.
"No, she just went on break a couple minutes ago. Jesus, Barnett, what'd you do to this one?."
"Very funny. No, you remember my sister Emily?"
"Oh, right, the one who lucked out having you to raise her," Frank muttered sarcastically.
"Right," Ray continued, not in the mood for games. "Look, is anyone else around?"
"Uh, Neela's in the lounge," Frank answered.
"Great, and what's open?" Ray asked.
"Curtain three."
After hoisting Emily onto the bed and drawing the curtain around her, Ray made for the lounge.
"I'll be right back, sweetie," he whispered as he left.
Heading into the lounge, Ray walked in just as Neela was getting up from the table, coffee in hand.
"Ray, I didn't know you were on this early," Neela said, sounding surprised.
"I'm not, actually. Can you do a quick blood draw for me?" he answered.
"Um, I guess so. What patient?"
"Actually it's for Emily. I brought her in because she's got a headache and a fever, and is really fatigued. I'm thinking it could be mono. Do you think you could do it?"
"Sure, where is she?"
"I put her in curtain three."
"All right, let me grab a few things and I'll meet you there."
"Great, thanks, I owe you!" Ray shouted after her as she walked down the hall. He watched her retreating back for a moment before remembering Emily, and turned toward her direction.