Miss Julia Delivers the Goods by Ann B. Ross Read Free Book Online

three or four if that’s what it took, even though we’ve been friends for years. Of course,” I went on, “he never needed any extra help with a diagnosis.”
    A slight smile slipped across Dr. McKay’s—pardon me, Rick’s —face and he began playing with a pen. “I don’t mind a second opinion, either, and we’ll get one if the tests are inconclusive. But what I’m doing is exactly what any other physician would do. So why don’t we wait for the results, then talk again?”
    “Well, can’t you tell me what you think it is?” I said, trying my best to get something out of him. “Surely you have some possibilities in mind.”
    “Speaking hypothetically, the first thing you think of with vomiting and a low-grade fever is dehydration, which is symptomatic and not particularly indicative. That could be caused by a number of things. Gastric ulcer is one possibility.”
    “An ulcer! Why, whatever for? She doesn’t have a worry in the world.” I stopped and reconsidered. Maybe she did. Maybe she was so worried about getting rid of Mr. Pickens that it had begun to eat away at her. But as far as I knew, that had just happened, not long enough to give her physical problems. “How fast does an ulcer come on?”
    “Not fast, usually,” he replied. “So without other long-term symptoms, I’m not convinced it’s an ulcer. An allergy of some kind should also be considered.”
    “Why, I don’t see how. She rarely ever sneezes unless she has a cold.”
    “Could be a food allergy,” he said. “Like from dairy products or certain grains.”
    “Well, if that’s what it turns out to be, let’s don’t tell Lillian.” At his frown, I went on. “She’d be devastated if she’d been the unwitting cause of all this trouble. But I’ll tell you frankly that this all sounds like guessing to me. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but you’ll have to do better than that.”
    “Well, in a way you’re right,” he said. “At this point, without the test results, it is a matter of guessing. But like I said, we should be getting a few results back later today.”
    “We can only hope, can’t we?”
    He nodded, looked at his watch, and I knew he wanted me to wrap this up and be gone. So I stood.
    “Thank you for seeing me,” I said. “I just wanted you to know that Hazel Marie is precious to us, and that we’ll do whatever it takes to get her well. I’m glad to hear that you’re not thinking in terms of some horrific disease or condition, although your earlier mention of a parasitic infestation has made my skin crawl. On the other hand, I hope you won’t overlook anything that could be worse than ulcers or allergies.” My face flamed for an instant. “Given her age, female trouble should be considered, too, you know.”
    At his smile, I turned away and headed for the door. Behind me, he said, “I assure you that I’m not discounting anything at this point. She needs to be rehydrated and that fever brought down, so I’ll keep her in the hospital another night. Then if all goes well and nothing else crops up, I’ll discharge her tomorrow.”
    I kept walking out the door, down the hall, and out into the parking lot, knowing little more than when I’d gone in.

Chapter 7
     
     
     
    I parked the car in the driveway and went in the back door, as was my wont, knowing that I hadn’t accomplished a thing other than to put Dr. McKay on warning. Maybe that was enough to stir up some action on his part. Frankly, I didn’t think I could stand the anxiety of waiting another several days before knowing something conclusive.
    I walked into the clean and shining kitchen, my mouth already open to lay my concerns onto Lillian. But the kitchen was empty. Assuming she was upstairs, I took off my raincoat and proceeded farther into the house, looking for her. Instead, I found Sam in the living room.
    “Why, Sam. I thought you’d be at your house, working. Is anything wrong?” If I hadn’t had my mind on other