This is a tough chapter, but it all leads to the Julie we know in Unexpected.
Julie was giving Oliver his bottle when the quiet early morning was interrupted by the telephone. Tim had told her that she best get used to the phone ringing. She heard muffled voices as Dr. Jeffers answered.
He came to her and said, "Julie, your mum took a turn in the night. She's in hospital."
"Who called? Is she…"
"Your brother, Al…"
"Albert."
"Yes, she's conscious, but the consultants are sorting things out with tests and…"
"I need to go! I can't wait until tomorrow."
"I'll drive you. I'm off until evening."
"What about Oliver?" Julie asked.
Paula replied, "I'll call a friend. Don't concern yourself."
After arrangements were made for the baby, Julie called Tim and told him that she was going.
"I'm sorry that I can't come."
She wished he was with her. On the drive, she was quiet, but occasionally blurted out her concerns.
"It's just a small cottage hospital."
Dr. Jeffers replied, "The doctors are well trained."
"I should have made them listen last night."
"People can be stubborn even when it's in their best interest," he said.
He didn't calm her nerves as well as Tim could have done, but she was thankful for his efforts. She directed him to the hospital and thought he'd drop her off, but he pulled into the car park.
"I want to find out what's happening. I can help explain to you and keep Tim informed."
When they found the lounge where her family was waiting. Carole greeted her with a hug.
"I should have listened to you."
"Can I see her?" Julie asked.
"Dad's with her. We are waiting for the doctors to tell us something."
Dr. Jeffers said, "Come on let's go see her."
Julie followed him as he walked as if he knew exactly where he was going. When they found her, she was asleep and looked pale. What surprised Julie most was how small her father looked sitting by the bed.
"Dad?" she whispered.
"You came to gloat?" he replied.
"No."
"Who is this? Did you get rid of that know it all?" he asked.
Before Julie could answer, Dr. Jeffers said, "I'm David Jeffers. Julie minds my son. I also taught the know it all quite a bit of what he knows. May I?"
He inquired about the chart on the end of the bed. She watch as her father shrugged and doctor read the information. It was hard to imagine that just the night before, Tim had done the same in Kate's hospital room.
"I'd like to stay when the consultant comes back."
"You would even if I said no," her father said as if defeated.
Julie felt sorry for her father. She'd never seen him give in. She realised that no matter how her father behaved, he did always love her mother.
When they left the room, she asked if doctor learned anything.
"It looks as if they're concerned about her heart. It may be having trouble keeping up. Her blood pressure is extremely high and as Tim suspected her blood sugar is elevated."
"Will she get better?" Julie asked.
"It depends on how damaged the heart is."
She was glad he was honest with her. She sat by her siblings whilst Dr. Jeffers went to find some coffee for himself and tea for Julie.
"So that's the doctor you live with?" Carole asked.
"That's the doctor that I work for, him and his wife."
"What did you learn about Mum?" Junior asked.
"Just that Tim was right with his concern all along," Julie said suddenly feeling angry. Most of her family had decided not to accept Tim because of his concerns, but she felt no pleasure in the vindication.
He returned with a tea and took the seat next to her. She quietly said, "Thank you Dr. Jeffers."
"David, please. You care for my son and my wife considers you a friend."
They sat in silence until her father appeared with a doctor. They all listened as he explained that she had multiple health conditions that have required her heart to work too hard and it had started to fail.
"Has she ever experienced shortness of breath?"
"Once in awhile," her father answered.
Shocked Julie said in a voice louder than expected, "No! She has it anytime she does any work at all. It's been like that for years."
"Not years," Junior argued.
"Yes, since the first time Tim met her. He suspected everything... diabetes, high blood pressure and no one would listen."
The doctor asked, "Is this a doctor?"
David said, "He's still in GP training. My understanding is that Mrs. Miller adamantly refused to see a doctor. Has she had an echocardiogram?"
The doctor asked, "She has and you are?"
"David Jeffers, GP. I'm a friend of Miss. Miller."
"I don't understand. When can she come home?" Henry pleaded.
"We've started her on medicine and we need to get her sugar under control. It may take some time. She will need to make some changes with her diet, but also she can't exert herself."
"But she'll be fine?" Henry asked.
"No, Mr. Miller, her heart is damaged. All these changes will only prolong her life. Eventually her heart will fail. If she makes no changes it will fail sooner."
Nobody dared ask anymore questions after that and the doctor left.
Julie announced, "I'm going to see her."
As she walked away she heard Junior who said, "She still needs to cook and clean for us."
Julie was so frustrated that they didn't understand. She put on a smile for her mother who was now awake.
"Julie, you didn't need to come. I'll be up and about in no time. I'll just get some rest and I'll be right as rain."
"Mum, please listen to what the doctors and nurses say. They know what they're talking about." Her mum didn't respond, but she squeezed Julie's hand. Julie said, "Mum, I love you."
She stood and walked back to her family. She looked at David and said, "We best be on our way." Then she turned to her family and said, "Goodbye."
Carole jumped up and hugged her. Both Albert and Charlie waved as she made to leave.
She knew if she stayed, she would never be able to leave. Her life was with Tim. She'd call her mum and visit. She was convinced that her mum would ignore the doctors and she couldn't watch her mother die.
I promise a lighter mood next! Maybe even some singing! We haven't added to the playlist in some time.