The Doctor Is In, River’s Bank, A Small Town Full of Big Love

By B.L Wilson

Dr. Rebecca Davis is an OBGYN on a forced vacation due to a sixty-day suspension from her job at a New York City hospital. Aggravated and upset, not only over the issues at work but a failed and complicated relationship, she takes an impulsive trip to a rural town and gets drunk, waking up the next day in an unfamiliar motel room. Here, she meets the motel’s charming and attractive owner, Colleen MacDonald.

Hope Harris is in mourning over her wife’s death, but she is determined to continue managing her farm, taking care of her kids and their growing pains, and living life every day. A sudden accident changes everything and Hope finds it necessary to rely on others to help her. Veronica Saunders, a physical therapist assigned to her, sparks feelings she has not experienced since Hannah’s death.

Rebecca, as she is assisting the local doctor with his caseload, is faced with troubles from the past that threaten her new love, and Hope, recovering from her injuries, is shocked when revelations about her teenaged sons come to light.

Can these two women find love amidst their increasingly tumultuous lives? Are the lovers they choose the “ones”? Find out in The Doctor Is In, River’s Bank, a small town full of big love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: B.L Wilson
• Release date: Jul 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463948996

B.L Wilson

B.L. has always been in love with books and the words in them. She never thought she could create something with the words she knew. When she read ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird,’ she realized everyday experiences could be written about in a powerful, memorable way. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with that knowledge so she kept on reading.Walter Mosley’s short stories about Easy Rawlins and his friends encouraged BL to start writing in earnest. She felt she had a story to tell...maybe several of them. She’d always kept a diary of some sort, scraps of paper, pocketsize, notepads, blank backs of agency forms, or in the margins of books. It was her habit to make these little notes to herself. She thought someday she’d make them into a book.She wrote a workplace memoir based on the people she met during her 20 years as a property manager of city-owned buildings. Writing the memoir, led her to consider writing books that were not job-related. Once again, she did...producing romance novels with African American lesbians as main characters. She wrote the novels because she couldn’t find stories that matched who she wanted to read about ...over forty, African American and female.

Book preview

ONE: Life in the ER

"Dr. Lee-Davis, come to ER. Dr. Lee-Davis, come to ER, the PA system in the doctors’ lounge spat out in static format. Dr. Lee-Davis, report to ER. Dr. Lee-Davis, report to ER."

Dr. Rebecca Lee-Davis groaned, then sat up in the narrow folding cot in the doctors’ lounge. She rubbed tired eyes, then raised her hands high in the air and shook them. She ran both hands through her ear-length short hair. Of course, one of her silver rings caught in her hair. She frowned, trying to untangle the ring. Damn it! she fussed, tugging at the stuck ring with frustration. Turn my hair loose, damn it.

The door to the doctors’ lounge squeaked open. A woman in colorful scrubs stood at the entrance until she could make out shapes in the room. Several cots were occupied. Which one was the right one? With soft feet, she padded over to the figure sitting up on a cot. She was rubbing her eyes, then fussing about something. Becca, we need you in ER. Another rape victim. She’s pregnant too. There’s two other victims tonight. The police escorted them in handcuffs. It’s some sort of revenge girl gangbang. Couple of other young females presented with bruises, missing teeth, and stab wounds. She sighed. There’s a two-year-old girl in the morgue. She was an innocent victim of a stray gunshot.

Christ! Mona, when is it ever gonna stop? I’m so sick of this shit! Rebecca hissed as she stood up, towering over the nurse.

One of her bunk mates groaned. Could you please be quiet, Davis? I’ve been up in OR for twenty hours. I’m trying to sleep before rounds.

Yeah, shut up, Becca. If the wargames in this neighborhood ever stop, we’d all be out of business.

Nope. You guys would be out of jobs. I’d happily keep delivering babies and looking after my female patients’ health.

Humph! Spoken like a true OBGYN.

How else am I supposed to speak, Bailey? I am a OBGYN.

Yeah, yeah. Go see what ER wants, Dr. Jorge Bailey retorted, rolling onto his belly and slamming a pillow over his thick curly mop.

Let us real doctors sleep, Becca. Dr. Phil Horton, Bailey’s partner in crime and the OR, waved her away with a groan. Mona, escort her out, please.

Mona sighed. Come on, Becca. Let ‘em sleep it off. We have places to go and patients to see. She called ER. Dr. Davis is on her way.

Rebecca shrugged. Lead the way, Mona.

They walked through several wards with familiar white and beige walls and white tiled floors, following the green arrows to ER.

Rebecca grew thoughtful as she and Mona made the long walk to the ER. She dreaded what else she’d have to treat tonight. Why couldn’t she be delivering babies under normal conditions or advising young women about the various methods of birth control or teaching them how to examine their breasts? Wouldn’t it be nice if tonight she could be showing women how to protect their bodies against STDS or how to talk with their mates, lovers, boyfriends, and husbands about such protections? She rubbed her forehead, then ran tired hands through a mass of thick, inky-black hair. She always had the barbershop cut it short because she didn’t waste time on hairstyles. If it was neat, what else did her hair need to be?

She sighed as they drew closer to the ER. Tonight would be just like every other night shift at St. Joseph’s City Medical. She’d be handling rape and assault cases. Or she’d be examining first-time female patients who had just given birth at home or on the way to the hospital but couldn’t afford prenatal care or the cost of a primary care physician and so they showed up in ER when the baby was ready to pop. Then there were the assault, gunshot, and knife-wound victims with damaged breasts or injured vaginal areas. How could she forget the self-induced abortion attempts or the abortion quacks that left her young female patients sterile? Every so often, just to break the monotony, a car accident victim presented with a crushed pelvis and damaged internal organs that led to an emergency hysterectomy.

Mona studied her colleague, who was the best darned doctor to work with in the ER. She noted how her friend’s normally sparkling brown eyes looked sunken into their sockets. Her forehead was deeply wrinkled in thought. You look exhausted, Becca. Why not take a few days off? Heck, you haven’t had a vacation in months.

Try years, Mona. I wouldn’t know what to do on one.

Mona pulled on Rebecca’s solid forearm and stopped Rebecca’s movement in the long corridor to examine her face intently. Let’s go on one together. We’ve done lots of things. We’ve never vacationed together.

Rebecca groaned. Yeah, sure, Mona. You would. What would we do with Diane?

I’d convince her to come with us or I’d go alone with you. Whatever you wanted, I’d do. Mona rubbed her hand up and down the sleeve of Rebecca’s lab coat. We were good once upon a time. I’m willing to try again.

Rebecca looked into her ex-lover’s hopeful eyes. You know I’m not into threesomes, Mona. I also don’t screw any woman who is. She gently removed Mona’s hand from her arm, then kissed the back of it. Come on, Nursey-poo. Let’s go see who’s in the ER.

Mona closed her eyes when warm soft lips made contact with her hand. Touch me like that again, Becca, and I’ll find an empty room for us to finish this.

Rebecca chuckled at her ex-lover’s words before adding her own. The old man or his spies will find us. You’ll be put on report and get suspended for a couple of days. Me? He wants my ass gone anyway, so this will give him the opportunity.

It would help your case a great deal if you’d bow, scrape, and kiss his ass in front of his students, instead of fighting him and questioning his prognosis in front of his students.

Rebecca rolled her eyes upward and groaned. My uncle is a rectum with a stick-like appendage in the middle of it.

Mona chuckled, then shook a finger at Rebecca. You are funny tonight. But just be glad you’re related to the chairman of the board. It’s kept you employed through some hefty lawsuits. Other doctors would have been fired by now if they’d been in your place.

Rebecca shrugged. Yeah, I know.

They continued to walk together quickly down the corridor, then came to a junction. They made a right, then a left, and headed to the back way into the ER.

Twelve minutes after Rebecca arrived in the ER, she was preparing to deliver a baby via an emergency C-section. The wife had just died in a hit and run accident. The husband was distraught. He told EMS that fifty minutes ago, he and his wife were out celebrating their third anniversary at a favorite restaurant downtown where they had their first date and where he proposed.

After they ate, the husband said they decided to walk around the area. The wife found several baby stores nearby that she dragged the husband to see. They were crossing the street with the light. The husband had reached the other side. His wife was talking on her cell to her own mother as she strolled across the street behind her husband. She made it to curb when a car raced through a red light, hit another car, then bounced onto the sidewalk, hitting the wife full force while the husband was sideswiped. The husband wanted them to save his son.

Mona entered the cubicle where the woman was being kept alive with machines.

Rebecca watched her straighten out the wife’s hospital gown and then covered her from her chest to her feet with a sheet. What are you doing?

The husband wants to say goodbye.

Rebecca nodded. Ask him if he’d rather be in the delivery room.

Mona studied Rebecca’s sad face. It might be better if the request came from you as her surgeon.

Rebecca nodded, then looked at the machines beeping and purring as they kept the woman’s body alive. We don’t have a lot of time here. Where is he?

The curtain squeaked open. I’m behind you, Doc, a man’s deep voice whispered hoarsely. An orderly wheeled the husband into the room. He had a broken leg stretched out in front of him with a protective support bubble surrounding it. I’m not letting them do any effing surgery on this leg till I meet my baby boy. You keep her alive so he can live. I know she’d want that. Then I want you to promise me I’ll make it through the surgery on my leg, he remarked with a sob, then used a soggy hanky to wipe at dampness dripping from his eyes.

Rebecca walked over to the husband. She knelt to stare into sad brown eyes. I promise I’ll do the best I can to give you a healthy baby. We don’t have much time to do this. We’ll put you in scrubs now. I’ll be in the delivery room waiting for you. She held out a hand. I’m Dr. Rebecca Davis, but everybody calls me Becca.

The husband shook Rebecca’s hand. Raul Hernandez. Call me Raul.

Raul, the orderly, will get you dressed in scrubs and wheel you into the delivery room. We’ll be delivering your son in a few minutes. She caught the orderly’s attention and he nodded in agreement.

Okay, Doc. See you in the delivery room.

Ten minutes later, Rebecca and her team began the C-section operation. The anesthesiologist and several nurses monitored the machines keeping the wife’s body alive, making sure right amount of oxygen was delivered to her brain and blood system, and therefore the baby’s systems too, and that her blood was still pumping through the baby’s umbilical cord.

Meanwhile, Raul sat by his wife’s head behind a sterile fabric curtain that walled off the surgery site. He held his wife’s still warm hand, talking to her softly in Spanish as the surgery proceeded. Had he wanted, Raul could have used the mirror one of the surgical nurses gave him to see everything being done to his wife. He chose not to do so. Instead, he waited to hear his baby son’s first cries.

Twelve minutes later, Rebecca presented Raul with his baby son. Meet your son, Rebecca murmured, carrying the baby over to his father. She watched him weep quietly as he nuzzled the little boy’s forehead, then cradled him. If you like, you can go with him to the recovery room. It’s good if you can spend time bonding with him. How’s the pain in your leg?

Raul grimaced, then sighed. I’ve felt worse pain, Doc. I was overseas in 2008 in goddamn Afghanistan. A fragment from one of those IEDs caught my right leg. Damned hit and run bastard caught it again tonight. He looked down at the baby son in his lap and smiled. He looks like her a lot. He grimaced again. Better take me to surgery before the pain gets too bad. Doc?

Yes?

Can my wife stay here until I come out of surgery? I just want to see her again before my son and I go home.

Rebecca knelt to look in Raul’s face, then squeezed his shoulder. We may need the room for other surgeries. We’ll find another room for your wife. She studied his distressed face again. I’ll personally find a room for her if we have to move her.

Thanks.

You’re welcome. Rebecca watched one of the nurses take the baby while another nurse pushed Raul’s wheelchair to surgery. She changed gloves and returned to the operating table to close the wife’s surgical site, then she spent time cleaning the wife’s wounds. Mona, let’s see if we can leave her here until he comes out of surgery. The man had a hard night. I’d like to make it easier for him and his boy if I can. Can we get a social worker to speak with him about grief counseling and childcare?

Mona shrugged. I’ll see if Diane is still here. It may have to wait until business hours tomorrow. From the look of his leg, I’d say he’ll be here at least a couple of days.

Rebecca nodded. I was thinking the same thing. I’ll call up to Orthopedics and see. Once we know where he is, we can arrange for the baby to stay with him.

They both heard the loud commotion outside the OR at the same time. A woman was ranting and raving about an injured daughter. She demanded to see her daughter loudly as several voices—security, maybe—told her to calm down or they’d have to arrest her. She promised to be quiet if they could find out where her daughter was.

Didn’t EMS say Raul’s wife was on her cell talking to her mother? Mona remarked.

You don’t think that’s her outside, do you? Rebecca watched Mona nod. Shit!

I’d be surprised if it wasn’t the woman’s mama. Mona studied Rebecca for a quick moment. Change your scrubs. You have blood on the ones you’re wearing. I’ll go speak with the mother.

Rebecca shook her head. We’ll talk with her together. Call Diane or her substitute. Something tells me that we’re gonna need somebody from the psych unit tonight. She looked over at her patient. They had shut down the machines and disconnected all of them. The breathing tube was still in her throat. How does she look to you? she asked, removing her operating gown, mask, and scrub cap. Is this better?

The patient looks almost normal. You look, well, I can still see blood spots. Change everything or find a lab coat to cover it. Mona walked over to the operating table, noting the patient appeared to be asleep until she looked closer and realized the patient wasn’t breathing. There was blood splatter on the floor. Stainless steel trays contained bloody utensils and used gauze pads. We need to get maintenance in here to clean up the blood and surgical debris.

Or we could move her to another room.

Maintenance is quicker, Mona remarked, cell in hand. She made the call to maintenance. When she explained the situation and what she needed, the maintenance unit sent two staffers to the rear entrance.

TWO: And so goes life in the ER

Wearing gloves, a coverall, and pulling on a mask, the young man pulling a large yellow cart filled with cleaning supplies began mopping up the blood matter from the floor and walls. His partner, another masked, gloved young man, began to bag up the utensils and used sponges, pads, and gauze for quick disposal. Ma’am, may I move her gurney to clean the rest of the floor? The mask muffled the young man’s voice, but both women understood and nodded their permission. He carefully moved the gurney into the freshly mopped area after making sure the gurney’s wheels were free of blood.

Mona made another call. Hi, this is Nurse Brown down in ER. I need somebody from social services to meet me in OR 2. We have a situation.

Well, Nurse Brown-Moore, I just received a call from security. Something about an angry woman having a meltdown just outside of the operating theaters. She’s refusing to leave until she sees a relative she believes is here having a baby? She’s screaming something about a phone call and an accident?

Mona sighed when she heard her wife’s voice. That’s correct, Dee, except her daughter died in ER. We were able to deliver the baby by C-section. He’s alive and well. He’s a few weeks early, but he’s healthy as a tiny horse.

Jesus! Baby, who made that decision? Diane asked, worried about the hospital’s liability. She pressed the elevator button down, then groaned loudly. Don’t tell me, Mona. It was your adulterous girlfriend, wasn’t it? The stud bitch has really gone and done it this time. If the board finds out she put the hospital in jeopardy, she’s gone, Diane announced happily as she stepped on the elevator, nodding to the medical staff she recognized.

Just hold on a minute, Dee! Mona snapped. That would be true if the husband hadn’t given his permission. He was in the delivery room watching everything.

Your girlfriend got everything in writing, right?

Mona exhaled loudly. She wasn’t sure if they’d done all the backup paperwork. Everything happened so fast. They were trying to save the baby once the mother died. She rubbed her temples. I don’t know, Dee. You know how everything happens faster than the speed of light in ER.

What I know is how your girlfriend loves taking chances. She really ought to consider a different profession. She should be a stock car racer or skydiver. If she swims, she always could be one of those scuba divers exploring the depths of the ocean without a tank.

Dee! Are you coming down here or not?

Yes. Unfortunately, I’ll be speaking with the dead woman’s mother first. Can I at least let her see the daughter? Did you and your partner in crime clean up the area and make the body look decent?

Yes. It’s being done as we speak.

How about the baby?

He’s in the recovery room with the father. The father suffered some injuries to his right leg. He might be in surgery by now.

He was drugged or in severe pain when he gave her permission, wasn’t he? Diane remarked. She didn’t expect an answer as she stepped out of the elevator.

What are you now? A lawyer for the hospital, Dee? Cause I thought you were hired as our in-house social worker, period.

Diane twisted a short dreadlock around her finger. And I thought you were my wife. I wish you’d defend me like you do her, she murmured softly, then exhaled. I’m just asking questions you know the boss man and the board are gonna ask her before they kick her ass out for good this time.

You knew my situation with her before you married me. Don’t you dare start the love shit again, Mona hissed into the phone. Just get your ass down here! Bring a lab coat with you.

Get your own damned lab coat! Diane remarked, slipping the cell into a pocket of her lab coat.

Social worker Diane Moore quickly walked down through several first-floor units before she pushed through double doors with authorized personnel only signs on them. Her long legs made quick work of the lengthy corridor. Then she went through another set of double doors and stopped to look down at her appearance. She fluffed her reddish-brown dreads and tucked her wife’s favorite yellow blouse into a gray tweed skirt that blended with her charcoal suede heels. She buttoned her matching gray suit jacket. She blew several breaths against cupped hands. Her breath smelled okay too.

She tapped on the closed door to the OR. She could smell the disinfectant as soon as she pushed the door open. From the door, she could see the patient on the operating table underneath the bright lights. The patient was young, maybe thirty or so. Her face was pretty. She looked peacefully asleep.

Diane walked over to the doctor in charge. Wearing heels put her on almost eye level with Dr. Rebecca Davis. Studying her competitor’s annoyed face for a moment, her eyes narrowed. She folded her arms over an ample chest. Have you spoken to the mother yet?

"No, Dee. I thought you would do that. You are the social worker here. That’s your job!"

I’ll talk to her, but you’re coming with me to explain the medical stuff that I can’t. You need to change those scrubs too. I can see her daughter’s blood on them. Diane stared at Rebecca without saying anything, then removed her lab coat and offered it. Put this on and let’s go. Do not go into details that can be used against us later on. Mona, go check on the kid and the father. It would nice to give the poor woman some good news tonight.

Rebecca snatched the coat, then thrust her arms through it. Shit! Is everybody a critic tonight? She buttoned the coat, then looked at both women. There! Are you two satisfied now?

Diane cut eyes at Rebecca and then Mona. I doubt very seriously if you could satisfy either one of us tonight, Becca. Me, because I’m not into you that way, and Mona, because she’s supposed to be married to me. She turned around and marched to the door, then held it open. After you, Dr. Davis. She caught Mona’s eye and winked. Go find the daddy and the baby. Okay?

I said I would and I will. Mona looked up at Diane, then brushed at some invisible lint on her chest. Nice blouse. Is it the one I gave you? She smiled when Diane nodded. You look good tonight, Dee.

Good enough for you to come home and spend the night in my bed?

Mona reached up to play with the lapel of Diane’s gray jacket, rubbing into breasts she knew were so sensitive with her knuckles. We’ll see. She watched Diane’s eyes drift closed.

Diane suddenly remembered where she was and gave her head a shake. Nobody does this to me but you, Mona, she murmured softly, giving her wife a lingering look of affection.

Arms crossed over her chest, Rebecca leaned against the opposite wall watching the sideshow for a long moment. Then she cleared her throat. If you two are done with your PDA, I’ve got a patient’s mother to see.

Lab coat tail flapping, Rebecca strode through a set of double doors, searching the waiting area. She noticed how two security guards stood next to a woman who was seated, dabbing her eyes with a lace hanky. The woman was brown-skinned with long dark hair hanging down her back. She was neatly dressed in a printed dress and heels. A matching purse sat on a chair next to her along with a navy raincoat and hat. When the woman looked up, Rebecca could see how red and swollen her eyes and nose were. Rebecca also noticed how much the woman currently studying her resembled an older but still very attractive version of the dead woman. She sighed as she walked over. There was no doubt this was the mother of the dead woman. Tonight, she was a new grandmother too.

Rebecca nodded at security. Guys, give us a little privacy. She waited until the guards stepped a few feet away before she sat down next to the woman. Ma’am, I’m Dr. Davis. Is your daughter married to Raul Hernandez?

Yes, she is. Dr. … Davis, where is my baby? I was on the phone talking to Izzy one minute. The next minute, I heard her scream. There was a loud thud. I heard glass breaking. A car hit something, then silence. I stayed on the phone calling her name. I could hear sirens in the distance, then somebody said, ‘Police. Call the hospital.’ They gave me this address and phone number and hung up. I didn’t know what to do, so I came here. Nobody will tell me anything. They all said wait for the doctor. Are you the doctor?

Rebecca nodded, then cleared her throat. Nobody wanted to be the bearer of this news for a dead patient’s relatives. Is there somebody we can call for you?

I’m not sure they’d come. The woman looked into Rebecca’s sad eyes and knew her worst fears were coming true tonight. She pressed the hanky against her eyes. She’s dead, isn’t she? My daughter and my first grandchild are dead, aren’t they?

Rebecca patted a hand. I’m so sorry about your daughter. But her baby, your grandson, we were able to deliver him. He’s a healthy little boy. He met his father earlier.

Ay, Dios mío! the woman cried out. How is my son-in-law? He was with her tonight. They were celebrating their third anniversary. The woman sighed. He was like my son. She looked at Rebecca again. Is he … was he killed too?

No, Ma’am. He’s undergoing surgery for a compound fracture of his fibula and tibia. Rebecca noted the confused frown on the woman’s face. The accident broke bones in his right leg. She pulled up her own pants leg and pointed to the areas. He may or may not have pins holding the bones together.

The woman sighed. Will he be able to walk again?

Rebecca studied the woman, then cleared the lump from her throat. I met your son-in-law. He seems like a gutsy guy. He wanted to honor a promise he made to your daughter about the birth of their son. He was there when your grandson was born, she remarked softly. I am so very sorry we couldn’t save your daughter.

Please, can I see her, Dr. Davis?

Rebecca nodded, then followed up with words. Yes, Ma’am. Please follow me. She rose and then offered a hand to the woman, who accepted her help to rise. They walked slowly to the first set of double doors with the woman leaning on Rebecca for support. The two security guards trailed a discreet distance behind them.

When they reached the double doors, Diane, who observed the entire scene, held the doors open. She decided not to interfere since the woman, Imelda Garcia, had formed a bond with her dead daughter’s surgeon. She’d been busy making calls to find out the grandmother’s name and personal history, then she spoke to Mona about the son-in-law and the new grandbaby. She followed several feet behind Rebecca and Ms. Garcia.

As they walked to the OR, a new player was added. After showing her badge to the security guards, a worried-looking woman rushed through the doors one of the security guards pointed out. She hustled down the hallway, trying to catch the two women before they entered the OR.

Mellie? Baby, wait for me.

When Imelda Garcia heard her name, she turned around and then exhaled as soon as she spotted her friend. She waited until her friend caught up with her before she started breaking down and crying again. She’s dead, Val. Our baby girl is dead.

Sergeant Valeria Ruiz pulled Imelda into her arms, then stroked her hair and rubbed her back. I know, Honey. I heard it over the radio. I didn’t think it was anybody I knew. EMS heard Raul talking about you at the scene. They realized who Izzy was and called the stationhouse. I got here as soon as I could. She sighed, still hugging her trembling wife. I can’t believe it. Are we sure it’s her, Honey?

Imelda exhaled. I haven’t seen her yet, but Raul did.

Where is he?

In surgery. Imelda moved slightly away to look at her partner with tears dripping down her chin. I want to see her, but I’m so scared, Val. Everything will change after tonight, won’t it?

Valeria nodded, then placed a supportive arm around her partner. I’ll go in and do it.

Imelda exhaled raggedly. No, Val. Just help me go inside. She leaned her head against Valeria’s shoulder. Together, they walked through the doors Rebecca and Diane held open for them.

Hospital procedure required a witness from the hospital staff be present at the viewing. Rebecca slipped quietly into the room and stayed by the door while Diane stood outside, observing the couple through the door glass.

The two women stood inches away from the gurney, looking at Isabella Garcia Hernandez’s peaceful face. Imelda leaned against her partner’s shoulder for support. I never thought this day would come. She was so happy she was pregnant, Val. She leaned over and kissed her daughter’s cool forehead. Then she stroked a cheek.

I remember when she and Raul told us it would be a boy. Valeria sniffed back her own tears. She dragged Raul with her to the stationhouse to tell me. I was doing overnights. Or something, so she told you first. She reached out to push several strands of curly hair behind her adopted daughter’s ears. She rested a hand on the gurney. I’m so sorry, Izzy … so goddamned sorry. She sobbed uncontrollably. Although she was the larger and sturdier of the two women, Imelda had to support Valeria when the two women left the room.

Rebecca cleared her throat after she and Diane allowed the doors to close behind them. Ms. Garcia, this is Ms. Moore. She’s a social worker here in the hospital. If you need anything, she’s the person to ask.

Imelda frowned as she gazed at the doctor who had been so kind to her. I had hoped you’d help me find my son-in-law and my grandchild.

Valeria suddenly wilted against the wall, nearly sliding to the floor in a dead faint. If Rebecca hadn’t been watching both women closely, she couldn’t have been as quick. People reacted differently to the death of their loved ones. She hoped that was all there was to the woman’s fainting spell. She eased Valeria’s limp body flat onto the floor and began taking her vitals. Ms. Garcia, does your partner, er, wife … Does she have any heart problems? Is she allergic to anything? How about high blood pressure? Is she being treated for anything? Has she fainted like this before? What medications is she taking? Ms. Garcia! Answer me, damn it!

Stop shouting at her, Dr. Davis. It does no good to alienate her, Diane retorted. Diane thought Imelda Garcia looked like a wild deer caught in the headlights of a hunter’s jeep as she went over to comfort her.

Oh God, not her too! Imelda howled, then she was silent.

Rebecca took the wife’s pulse, then listened to her lungs and her heart rate. All of them were in the normal range. She checked Valeria’s eyes. Her pupils reacted normally to the small flashlight Mona dug out of the pocket. She forced Valeria’s mouth open and tilted her head. Flashing the penlight back and forth in her throat, she didn’t see any blockages. She studied the woman who had fainted and the distraught woman pacing and muttering in Spanish. The entire family could use beds for the night. Her gut said stress, but both women,