I looked around the large airport terminal, debating which way to turn. I opted to go left and as I started walking I collided with another woman.
"Watch where you are going!" The woman said angrily. I glared at her and bent down to pick up my things. I had landed in Los Angeles twenty minutes before. The entire flight I was nauseous. Now that we had landed I was feeling considerably better; although all I wanted was to sit down. I was so tired. I walked down the long hallway trying to avoid another collision. I finally made my way to the front of the airport and looked around for a taxi. The only one around was already taken by a middle-aged business man, loading his suitcase into the trunk. I gave my suitcase a shove, letting it skid to a stop by his feet. He glanced over at me and quickly picked it up as I flashed a smile at him.
"Why thank you sir." I said in my best "Hot Lips" voice. The poor man began to stutter as I slyly placed my suitcase in the trunk and removed his. I thanked him again and slid into the back seat, telling the driver to take me to the nearest hotel. As we were driving off, the poor man was still staring after me with his mouth hanging open. The man obviously wasn't accustomed to womanly affection; he didn't even realized what happened!
Five minutes later I climbed out of the cab and paid the driver. I walked inside the hotel and requested a room. An hour later I climbed out of a hot shower and laid on the soft bed. Exhaustion crept over me. I wasn't sure why I was so tired, I raised my hand and rubbed my eyes. They felt hot and I moved my hand up to my forehead. Damn it! Now on top of everything else I was sick. It was probably the damn recycled air in the airplane. I kicked off my shoes, not bothering to change and slipped under the covers and fell into a deep sleep.
I awoke the next morning to a plates crashing outside my door and a waiter cursing. I sat up and tried to figure out where I was. Slowly memories flooded into my head and I groaned. I glanced at the clock and almost screamed. My flight left in a half-hour! I yanked my shoes back on and grabbed my suitcase and ran downstairs. I didn't bother to change so I was still wearing my dress uniform. I finally made it to the boarding area three minutes before the gates closed.
As I sat on the plane I thought about where I was headed. At first I thought that I should go to my sister in New York, but she has three small children and I didn't want to bother her. I tried to decide where I would have gone if Hawkeye was with me. Maine; we would have gone to Maine. I knew his hometown was in Maine but I wasn't sure if any of his family still lived in Crabapple Cove. I didn't even know the names of his parents.
It was drizzling when the plane landed and I felt horrible. I had a fever and all my energy was drained. I managed to get myself on a bus headed for Crabapple Cove and I quickly fell asleep.
Two and a half hours later the bus driver woke me, telling me that we were at the end of his route; Crabapple Cove. I smiled gratefully and made my way off the bus. I stood in the rain as I looked around the tiny town. It was around five-thirty and I was starving. I hadn't had anything to eat since the day before. I saw a small diner and made my way over to it.
"Hello miss," An elderly woman in an apron approached me. "Would you like a table or booth?"
"Booth please," my voice sounded hoarse and I tenderly rubbed my sore throat.
My name is Katrina, I own this fine diner. What can I get for you hun?"
"Coffee," I croaked, "and a sandwich."
She nodded, "Are you all right sweetheart? You look pretty bad."
"I'm fine; do have a restroom I can straighten up in?"
"Of course, it's right over there." She said motioning towards the corner of the room. "Your food will be ready in about fifteen minutes.
I smiled my thanks and rummaged around in my suitcase for a comb. I stood up quickly and the room started spinning. I sat down and waited for the ground to stay steady. I cautiously stood up again and made my way to the bathroom. I washed my face in the sink and combed my hair. I unlocked the door and scooted past a man waiting to use the bathroom. As I passed him I noticed something familiar. I stared at him as he shut the door, wondering where I had seen this man before. I shook my head to clear away my confusing thoughts and headed back to my table. However I never made it there. Ten feet away from the table the room started spinning again. I looked around desperately for something to hang onto. Darkness slowly crept over my eyes and I fought it. I remember the ground rushing towards my face and a worried scream from a woman. As I lay on the ground I could hear people scrambling around me. The last thing I recall is a pair of strong arms lifting me off the floor.
My head was pounding and light was searing into my eyes. I groaned and tried to sit up but a firm hand held me down.
"Lie down," A gentle voice commanded. I wasn't sure why but the sound of this man's voice was comforting. I tried to adjust my eyes to the brightness of the room. Slowly certain features began to stand out. I saw a glass cabinet with a lock on it. There was a jar of cotton balls, and next to it, a jar of tongue depressors.
"Do you remember what happened?" He asked.
I thought about it. What had happened? Oh yeah…I blushed and nodded. I coughed suddenly and my ribs began to ache.
"You have pneumonia." He clarified.
I ignored the man's previous instructions and I sat up slowly.
"You certainly are one of my most stubborn patients." He chuckled. "You need rest though, your very sick." He continued seriously.
I stared at the man. I realized it was the same man I had seen in the diner. "Do I know you?" I asked hesitantly.
He shook his head. "I don't believe so." He extended his hand. "I'm Daniel, the town's loyal and underpaid Doctor."
"I'm Margaret Houl…" Coughs racked through my body and I groaned.
"Where do you live Margaret? You need to get some sleep."
"I…uh…I don't…I'm looking for my husband's parents." She finished lamely.
"You were just recently discharged?" He asked, indicating my uniform. I nodded.
"Does your in-laws live here?"
I shrugged. "I'm not sure."
"Well if they do I'm sure I know them. What are their names?"
"Uh…it's funny you should ask that…see I uh…I don't exactly know their names." I was feeling very hot and light headed again. I laid back down on the examining table. Concerned, Daniel walked over to me and wiped my forehead with a cloth.
"Well you can stay ay my place for the night."
I shook my head. "No, I'll just get a hotel room." What kind of town was this? People just randomly asked strangers to stay at their house?
"Nonsense. You're sick and unless you would rather me take you to the hospital you're coming home with me." He said firmly.
I was too tired to argue. If he was some perverted freak than so be it, I was willing to take the chance, I was so exhausted all I wanted was sleep.
Ten minutes later we arrived at his house and he carried me up the stairs to a large guest room. He pulled and old nightgown from the closet and handed it to me.
"I'll check on you in the morning." He promised as he shut the door behind him. I slipped off my filthy uniform and left it on the floor. As I slipped the nightgown over my head I could smell its soft lilac scent. I pulled the covers back on the bed and slipped in between the covers and quickly fell asleep.