Chapter 16
Elphaba woke up early, as was her habit, and lay in her bed listening to the sounds of the morning. Birds outside the window, water running in the room next door, the lovely girl sleeping a few feet away snoring softly.
"It would kill her if she knew she did that." Elphaba laughed to herself. She had had a good sleep and was ready for a good day- until she remembered what she was going to do this morning.
"Why did I agree to do this? She said quietly as she got up feeling sharp stabs of pain and dull aches. "That's why" She thought, irritated at herself.
Glinda awoke when she heard Elphie stir and mumble. "Are you ok Elphie?" She asked sleepily.
"Just a little stiff is all. I'm fine. You are awake early."
"So are you" Glinda said sitting up.
"Yes, but I usually am, whereas you usually are not."
"You do have a point," Glinda said trying to brush her sleep-tangled curls out of her face.
Elphie went over and sat on Glinda's bed. "Glinda, you really don't have to go with me this morning if you don't want- I mean it is a little unusual"
"Elphie, don't be absurd, Of course I will accompany you. I don't know how things work in where you come from, but where I come from, young ladies are always accompanied to doctor's visits, any doctor's visit, by their mothers, aunts, older sisters..."
"None of which you are" Elphie said
"…Or best friends- to me it's perfectly normal"
"Well it's not to me, but I'm in no shape to argue" Elphie said getting up.
"You know Elphie, we are going to get you through this in spite of yourself" she said giving her a quick hug and breezing past her into the bathroom.
Elphie poured herself a glass of cider and waited for Glinda to finish in the bathroom. She was lost in thought when her roomie emerged looking more awake and perky as always.
"Anything interesting going on in there" Glinda said kissing the top of Elphie's head.
"No not really, I was just thinking about you." She quipped heading off to the bathroom.
When Elphie exited the bathroom she was more awake, but her stomach was in knots.
"Glinda, sit with me, I need to tell you something"
Glinda sat down beside her obviously nervous roommate. "What is it, my love?" she asked gently.
" Although I hate to admit it. I am very nervous, and a little scared." I can't explain to you why I hate doctors so much, not now anyway."
Glinda just smiled and nodded, encouraging her to continue.
"But you need to know three very important things. In case the doctor won't pay attention to me."
"I'm listening, Elphie" Glinda said seriously
"One- absolutely, no alcohol, or anything like it to cleanse injuries. It's effects on me are similar to water, only much worse"
Glinda nodded.
"Two- no injections of any sort."
"Glinda nodded empathetically. "Fear of needles"
Elphaba chuckled. "Not exactly, my sweet. Terror of what's in them."
Glinda raised a dainty eyebrow in question.
"When I was 9 or 10 years old some traveling medics came around vaccinating all of the children in the area, against something or other."
"I remember that, they came to Gillkin too- I was vaccinated- I think it was some sort of fever outbreak "
"That sounds right" Elphie sighed, willing herself to continue. "Anyway, My sister threw a fit, as did all the other kids, because of the needles, so when I did too- no one really paid attention and I got the shot."
Elphie closed her eyes, remembering.
"Almost immediately my arm began to burn, inside, where the medicine went in, and for hours I was in agony, feeling my arm was on fire as the medicine spread. Eventually it wore off, but I was not quite right for days. So- no injections"
"Oh Elphie!" Glinda said throwing her arms around her precious friend "Absolutely no shots!"
Elphie took Glinda's arms, and gently removed them from around her neck.
"Third- and this may be the most important. If anyone mentions or even hints at doing anything to try and change the pigment of my skin, I shall leave immediately. I will tolerate no more medical intrusions into my natural skin tone."
"More?" Glinda thought, but kept to herself. "Elphie, I think I understand your hesitation about seeing the doctor, or at least a small part of it. I also understand your nervousness and why you relented to my offer to accompany you, even though I know deep down inside- you hate the thought."
"Well, maybe not entirely" She smiled warmly. "But I'm glad you understand. I trust you, you know."
"I know- and I will make sure this visit is a smooth and painless for you as it can possibly be."
"As long as you keep in mind, that I can take care of myself- I mean after all if the doctor causes me problems I'll just kick…"
"Elphie- really! I'm think I'm sorry I gave you that idea." She laughed, seeing her roommate's dark eyes twinkle merrily.
They left the room to go down to the dispensary- Elphie was nervous and more than a little twitchy. As they walked Glinda tried to take her hand, to calm her, but she would have none of it. So Glinda tried a different tack.
"You know Elphie it's just as well about the no shots thing, because I failed to mention something. I can't handle seeing needles. I faint."
Elphaba stopped and looked at her friend. "Glinda, you do not! –Really?
Glinda held her hand over her heart "yep- dead away- every time." She laughed lightly. "All part of my delicate nature and overall charm."
Elphie rolled her eyes and relaxed slightly. As they came up to the dispensary door, Glinda took her friends hand.
"They are not out to get you, Elphaba, they don't want to hurt you, although considering you injuries it might a little- they really do want to help. Give them the chance."
"I know, my sweet, and I'm going to- honest, besides I know that if I don't behave myself, you will give me Ozma's own wrath when we leave."
Glinda got up on tiptoe to kiss her friends green cheek "Don't be silly, my darling- I won't wait until we leave."
They went in and Elphaba went up to the desk to register. The nurse behind the desk handed her a clipboard with some paperwork, all the while staring at her.
"Are you alright dear?"
Of course not, that's why I'm here." Elphie snapped.
As she went to sit down, she saw Glinda level her a sharp look.
"I'm sorry ma'am," she said to the nurse " I'm just in a little bit of pain."
"Of course, dear, think nothing of it." The nurse replied
She sat down beside Glinda who was smiling at her broadly. "Was that so hard?" Glinda asked
"Actually, it was" Elphie said filling out her forms.
When she was finished she took the papers back up to the desk and the nurse smiled warmly at her.
"It will only be a moment," she said
"Thank you" Elphie replied returning to sit by Glinda. She felt a soft hand intertwine with hers.
"Please try and relax my love, you are not in enemy territory."
"That's what you think," Elphie said sarcastically, but she took a deep breath and squeezed Glinda's hand.
Only a few minutes passed until the girls heard. "Miss Elphaba Thropp" They walked towards the nurse who let out a small gasp.
"Oh my, when the receptionist said you were green, I assumed she meant around the gills, so to speak, not actually green."
Glinda put her hand firmly on the small of Elphie's back when she saw her tense, fearing she would leave.
"I was born this way, ma'am, and it is not the reason I am here" She said with a tone of authority.
"So I see," she said kindly looking at the chart in her hands.
The nurse led them to a small, but brightly decorated exam room, and bid them both sit down.
"Now, it says here that you took a tumble and fell quite hard, against a tree limb and on some rocks. Poor dear." She shook her head and clucked as she asked some clarifying questions, and confirmed information on the forms, writing everything down on the chart. Elphaba was relaxing slightly, partly because the nurse seemed very sincere and kind and partly because Glinda had not left her side.
"And you are? " The nurse asked looking at Glinda.
"I'm Glinda Upland, Miss Elphaba's roommate.."
"And best friend." Elphie interjected, smiling "Is it permissible for her to stay with me?"
"But of course dear" the nurse said, "That is as it should be"
"Told you so" Glinda whispered in her ear.
The nurse handed Elphaba a gown and instructed her to change and sit on the table, if her injuries permitted, and said she would return with the doctor in five or ten minutes. Elphie disrobed, and Glinda helped her to get the gown on and tied properly.
"I look ridiculous," she said glancing down at her gangly green limbs sticking out from under the gown.
"Everybody does" Glinda laughed helping her friend to get up on the exam table. "Are you ok here? Are you comfortable?"
"As comfortable as I can be, considering" Elphie replied sounding miserable, and reaching back for Glinda, who was standing behind her. Glinda draped her arms around Elphie's neck and put her pale cheek against her soft green one.
"You are doing fine Elphie, Can you see now- they want to help you, they care how you are feeling. Just remember, if the doctor does something that inadvertently causes you pain, tell him so. He can't help you if he doesn't know."
"I'll try, but I'm just getting used to you touching me- and I like and trust you." She sighed heavily
Just then the door opened and a roundish, rather jovial looking man entered followed by the nurse.
"Girls, this is Dr. Tylium. Doctor, may I present Miss Elphaba and Miss Glinda."
Glinda smiled and nodded then poked Elphie gently.
"How do you do Dr. Tylium" Said Elphie extending her hand.
"A pleasure, Miss Elphaba," he said taking her hand "Miss Glinda" he said returning her nod and smile.
"Now it says here you took a bit of a tumble, what- four days ago, and some of the bruises you acquired aren't healing as they should, and you are experiencing some pain. Yes?"
Elphie swallowed hard, feeling Glinda come to stand by her side
." Yes sir. I have a bruise on my side and some on my thighs that haven't healed well, as well as some internal pain in my pelvic region."
"I see," said the doctor, making note of her obvious discomfort with the whole event. Let's start with your side and see what's what. He helped Elphie shift on the table so he could access the side in question and motioned to Glinda to come around to the opposite side.
"You might want to hold that hand there, Miss Glinda, so your roommate won't hit me while I examine her. She looks like she has a feisty streak in her." He said winking at Elphaba.
"You have noooooo idea doctor" Glinda said rolling her eyes and chuckling, She complied with the doctor's request taking Elphie's hand in both of hers.
"Looks like we are all set" He smiled at Elphaba. "May I miss Elphaba?" he said indicating he needed to partly remove her gown.
Elphie nodded, and looked over at Glinda. The doctor looked at the bruise and talked to the nurse who was making notes. He picked up what looked to be a magnifying glass and examined the bruise more closely.
"Hmmm, Although it looks as though you did a fine job tending this bruise, but it seems there are some tiny cuts that may be preventing proper healing. We can take care of that fairly easily. Now- I need to feel around a bit."
Elphie tensed, Glinda tightened her grip on her hand.
"Unfortunately, this will hurt a little, but speak up if it is too much for you- ok"
"Yes, sir" Elphie agreed, steeling herself.
The doctor gently but deftly probed around and the bruise, causing her to yelp more than once. He asked her to breath in deeply and let it out forcibly, asking if this was painful. After not to long Elphie felt the gown going back up around her shoulder. She untensed a little.
"What's the damage doc?" She said trying to sound nonchalant while wiping tears out of her eyes. Glinda retied the robe and put her hands on her friend's shoulders
"It doesn't seem that you injured you ribs, although there could be some minor bruising of on one of them, but since the source of your pain doesn't seem internal. We'll wait on that. By the looks of that bruise, I'd say you were quite lucky you didn't break a rib when you fell.
"Oh yeah, really lucky" Elphaba mumbled and felt Glinda squeeze her shoulders.
"Now, Nurse Ligur will treat that bruise and then we'll see to the rest of you. Do you have any questions?"
"Not really, thanks" Elphie said looking a little stunned.
"Well feel free to ask nurse whatever you need and I'll be back soon" He said closing the door behind him.
The nurse brought over a tray of supplies and was busily getting them in order.
"Are you ok dear? I know that wasn't pleasant for you and I'm sorry about that."
Elphaba smiled at the nurse. "I'm fine- for now anyway. May I ask what you are going to do?" She said regaining her composure slightly.
"Certainly dear- Doctor wants to treat that bruise with a strong, concentrated gel. I'm going to put a goodly amount of it on this bandage and put it over the bruise."
Glinda saw Elphie look concerned.
"Ma'am, I know this may sound strange, but may I see the medicine please? My skin is very sensitive and I have had some bad reactions to things like this in the past."
Oh my! Well yes, certainly we must check then. Thank you for telling me. How about if I place a very small amount on your arm, will that be enough of a test?"
"Yes, I think that will be fine"
She held out her arm, bracing for a sting, but when the nurse dabbed the gel on, she only felt a slippery coolness on her skin.
The nurse looked at Elphie's arm, but Elphie looked at Glinda and nodded.
"I think this will be ok". The green girl said.
"Are you sure" asked the nurse.
"Yes ma'am, I'm sure, if it was going to effect me, it would have made a red mark instantly"
"If I may ask dear, is the sensitivity a result of the odd pigmentation"
Normally, that question would have irritated Elphie, causing her to make a caustic remark, and Glinda tensed in anticipation of it. But Elphie sensed that the nurse was expressing sincere medical curiosity, and concern.
"I can only guess that two things are related." She replied smiling. And she heard Glinda audibly exhale behind her.
The nurse quickly tended to her bruise, placing a gel soaked bandage over it and another on top to anchor it down. The whole process took 30 seconds, elicited one gasp of pain, and felt immensely better afterward.
"Now then dear," the nurse said cleaning up "why don't you lie back on the table and I'll be back with the doctor in a moment to complete checking you over."
The nurse saw a look of fear on her charge's face. "Have you had this sort of exam before dear?" She asked kindly.
Elphie just shook her head.
"Well then, would you like me to tell you what to expect?"
Elphie nodded gratefully
"Fine then, Miss Glinda would you care to join us?" she said patting the table beside her frightened charge.
Glinda climbed up on the table, took Elphie's hand and laid her head on the gowned shoulder.
When the girls were settled the nurse proceeded to explain in detail what the doctor would be looking for and what he would be doing and when he would be doing it. And explained that he might need more information from her during the process.
"Any questions?"
"May I go home now? Elphie asked
The nurse chuckled softly "You're not the first young lady to have that reaction. I know It's not pleasant, but doctor is quick and gentle and I promise he will make every attempt to make it as easy on you as possible."
Elphie nodded glumly and Glinda squeezed her arm.
"Miss Glinda, Have you had an exam such as this yet?"
"Yes ma'am. I went with my mother before I came to Shiz."
"That's fine, I'll leave you two to talk for a few minutes"
"Thank you for being so kind and patient with me" Elphie spoke quietly
The nurse just patted her on the knee, and left.
Glinda hopped down from the table and embraced her friend. Elphie hugged her back, then pulled away slightly.
"I'm not afraid of the doctor's exam- you know. I afraid of what it might dredge up. I mean I am here under somewhat false pretences." Elphie said quietly.
"I know, my love- I do, but don't quit on yourself now- you can get through the rest of this. I know you can"
Glinda gently kissed her friends cheek and gave her another hug.
"Well let's get this over with" Elphie sighed lying back on the table.
Within a few minutes, the doctor and nurse came back in. As the doctor washed up the nurse brought over a tall stool and placed it near Elphie's head.
"You may sit right here by your friend, Miss Glinda" She said smiling at Elphie. "Are you doing a little better Miss Elphaba?"
"Yes ma'am thank you"
Glinda settled on the stool and leaned over to place her face close to Elphie's
"Just look at me, my love, and it will be over before you know it."
"The nurse told me she explained everything to you. Do you have any questions?" The doctor said sitting down
Elphie shook her head, then turned it to face Glinda, who smiled at her.
The doctor began his exam looking at the bruises on her thighs and working upward. Elphie held her breath and bit her lip.
"Please try and breathe Elphie, it will help" She whispered in her tense friends ear, stroking her hair.
The doctor was telling Elphie everything he was doing and giving notes to the nurse as he worked, but only the nurse and Glinda were listening.
"Elphie don't tense now, he's going to check inside." She whispered.
Elphie eyes were closed and she looked terrified.
"Where ever you are Elphie, please come back- it's not real
Elphaba let out a gasp of pain and tried to wiggle away, but Glinda, the doctor and nurse stopped her.
"That seemed to be unduly painful for you," The doctor said
Elphie wiped away tears "Yes, very. Can you stop now please?"
"If you can bear with me for just another minute, I really need to check for an internal infection, that maybe the source of your pain."
Elphie nodded and looked at Glinda then closed her eyes. Glinda saw her grimace and leaned over to try and distract her.
"Elphie, I forgot to tell you. I told some classmates that we would meet them at the pub this weekend, there is this great sing-a-long band. Doesn't that sound like fun? "
"Are you crazy…" she said through gritted teeth, then gasped again.
"Breathe Elphie" Glinda whispered
"All done" Said the doctor, "You did very well- when your collected and dressed come into my office and we will talk."
"Is she ok?" the nurse asked Glinda concerned
"She's fine, thank you ma'am"
"I'll leave you to assist her then" and she left.
Elphaba was still lying on the table, wiping tears off of her face. Finally she sat up.
"Glinda, something must be very wrong- that truly hurt."
"I know it did, and I'm sorry- but let's wait and see what the doctor says-ok?"
Elphie reached for Glinda and hugged her- "I am so glad that is over"
"Elphie, you need to know these exams are not usually like this, What you went through is what made it so bad."
"I know, I know" Elphie sighed
Elphie gingerly got down from the table and got dressed.
"Glinda, I don't know how you put up with me, but thank you"
"I'm so proud of you Elphie, what you did took courage and strength. And I love putting up with you- now let's go see what Dr. Tylium has to say"
Elphie kissed her and took her hand "I'm ready, whatever may come" she said leading her friend towards the door. "But if you think I'm going to the pub with you this weekend you are out of your mind."
The doctor was in his office looking over his notes.
"Nurse, Miss Elphaba's injuries were not caused by a fall."
"I know, but for now at least it's best to just let it go."
The Dr. sighed and shook his head. "At least she came in"
"I think we have Miss Glinda to thank for that." The nurse said kindly. I don't think we she should push the issue. She seems to be well looked after. In time she may report it on her own." But they both knew that wasn't likely.
The girls knocked on the door to the doctor's office and went in taking seats where the doctor indicated.
"Miss Elphaba- Are you doing ok"
"Yes, thank you doctor" Elphie said
"Well then, The internal pain you are experiencing seems to be the result of some torn tissue which looks slightly inflamed and irritated. There also seems to be a slight infection
. "Is it serious?" Elphie asked concerned.
"I think we caught it in time, some antibiotics, and special ointment should fix you right up."
"Good" Elphie said very relieved.
"The bruises on your thighs are deep, but not worrisome. The gel we are using on your side will help those heal more quickly. Now as to your side, Nurse applied a dressing correct?"
"Correct" Said Elphie
"Good. Leave it on for the next three days and try not to get it wet when you bathe."
"It'll stay bone dry- I promise" Elphie said. Glinda chuckled
Then the nurse came in then with supplies for Elphaba.
"Let's see here, here are your antibiotics, take one twice a day for ten days. Here are some pain pills you can take as needed. Two tubes of gel that should last you for the ten days use this on your side and thighs. And a tube of ointment especially designed for delicate areas. Nurse mentioned your sensitive skin, so please test it before you use it. Any questions?"
"I think I have it all"
"Good- now we'll just give you a preventative for the frozen face syndrome and you'll be all set"
The nurse came around to Elphie's side carrying a syringe. Glinda saw her before Elphie did.
"No shots," she said looking at the syringe and passing out.
"Glinda" Elphaba got up and steadied her friend in the chair.
"I had one of those, right before I came to Shiz " panic making her think very quickly. "- And forgive her needles frighten her."
The doctor and nurse both chuckled knowingly "That's a common reaction from young ladies- well if you had one six months ago, you should be fine."
The nurse had fetched smelling salts for Glinda and was tending to her.
"I'll want to check you over in ten days to two weeks. And here are two excuse from class passes, for your classes today."
"That's fine, thank you doctor " Elphie said, but she was more concerned with Glinda
"Are you ok?" Elphaba asked with great concern
"I'm fine- really, but I did warn you"
"That you did" Elphie replied taking her friends hand.
"Miss Glinda, please stay seated here until you feel better." The nurse instructed. And Miss Elphaba, here are your medications, if you have any concerns or questions, or need help applying the gels. Please come in right away"
"I will ma'am, but Glinda has been doing a great job tending to me."
"Yes, I can see that- she obviously cares about you very much, you are a very lucky girl to have such a good friend."
Yes ma'am- I know she does and I know how lucky I am to have her" Elphie said flashing Glinda her warmest smile.