(chapter revised 6/14/22)
Chapter 5:The Exam
If your mother is watching us now, Donovan thought as he tied his son's right hand to a bedpost. My god, I'm so sorry, Margie. I'm sorry for letting her get to him… and to you. Donovan felt the wetness of a tear sliding down his cheek.
"What if he needs to use the restroom?" asked Willie, who stood with Thelma near the doorway.
"Someone will always be with him," Julie said, pulling a stethoscope from her medical bag.
Not you, Donovan realized. If Sean's attitude toward you doesn't change, you won't continue to help him.
Sean leaned against a couple of pillows.
"Can you scoot up a little?" Julie asked.
Sean glared at her and puckered his lips as if he were going to spit in her face.
"Cool it," Donovan warned.
Sean smiled as if he found satisfaction in the threat alone.
Undaunted, Julie asked, "Is your stomach any better?"
"I guess you'll find out if I puke on you," Sean said.
"You do that, and she can't treat you," Donovan replied.
"Really, Dad?... Naw!"
Donovan watched Julie bat her eyelashes and set her jaw, a clear sign of frustration. He hated the thought of putting her through this hell. Without advanced notice, he cupped his hand over Sean's mouth, tight enough he was certain he had caused a little pain.
"If I tape it shut you won't be able to—"
"Mike, please!" Julie snapped at him.
Donovan released the boy's jaw.
Sean looked stunned. "Diana was right about you," he spat. "Diana was right about both of you!"
"Oh, bull!" Donovan said.
Julie placed the stethoscope in her ears, preparing to take Sean's respirations. "Can you two knock it off so I can complete the exam?"
"Were you jealous of Mom because she gave him a kid, and you can't?" Sean asked.
"Excuse me?" she asked.
"Why does he speak to her like that?" Donovan overheard Thelma ask Willie. He glanced and saw Willie motion to the hall. The pair exited.
Donovan eyed his son. "Julie and I aren't together anymore."
"What, you realized what she really was after she killed Mom?"
"She didn't kill your mother! If anything, Diana is responsible for your mother's death. Julie tried to save her. But we'll discuss that later. She needs to do the exam, and then you can rest."
"Right, with my hands tied up?"
"I'll give you a sedative. You won't even notice," said Julie. "Let's just get through this and I'll leave you alone."
"Good, because I can't stand to look at you, you ugly –"
Donovan clamped his hand over Sean's mouth again. "Shut the hell up!"
Hands shaking, Julie reached for the blood pressure cuff, mumbling, "This is asinine."
Donovan wanted to tell her how grateful he was, how much he felt he owed her for tolerating Sean's behavior, but he was not about to throw fuel on that fire. He would have to apologize again, later. Donovan watched as Julie squeezed the blood pressure pump and released it. She tried it again several times, even with Donovan's hand still clamped over Sean's mouth.
Julie shook her head and undid the cuff. "I can't get an accurate reading. Not with him in the mood he's in and tied up to the bed."
"Maybe it's not that important," Donovan admitted. "Do you have the sedative?"
With a nod of her head, Julie turned to her little black bag again, then pulled out a vial and a syringe. Sean's eyes grew wide.