Chapter 11 #2
She shook her head. “Babies cry. But maybe if I take a look at her, I can see if there’s anything wrong.”
He frowned. “Come on, then.”
When he turned to walk down the short hallway, Mima held back.
Should she follow him? All her instincts warned her to leave, but she couldn’t go now.
She was already inside, and what would the ward sister say when she told her she’d run away scared?
She shuddered at the thought. No, she had to keep moving forward.
She’d see the patient. Then she’d leave just as fast as her feet would carry her away.
She took several tentative steps along the hall.
He stopped to watch her, opened a door, and beckoned her to go through it.
As she passed him, he swayed on his feet, as though he might topple over onto her at any moment.
She hurried past into the room, then stopped to look around.
It was dirty—that was her first impression.
A mattress hugged one corner of the room, with soiled sheets and a single blanket bunched at the bottom.
The carpet was stained in several places and looked as though someone had recently traipsed through wearing mud-covered boots.
There were crumpled clothes tossed against the wall, and a plate of half-eaten toast sat on a bedside table.
A woman sat propped up on the bed, a stack of pillows behind her, with the baby nestled in her arms. She peered up at Mima through half-lidded eyes.
“Heidi?” Mima asked as she moved closer to kneel by the bedside. “Are you okay?”
The woman nodded. “I’m tired. Hey, I didn’t know you were coming today.
I’d have cleaned up. Sorry about the mess.
” Heidi’s brown eyes had dark smudges beneath them.
She was dressed in a nightgown and had a sheet pulled up beneath the baby.
The child was quiet now, rosebud lips puckered, her black hair curled into wisps on top of her head.
Mima offered a warm smile. “Never mind all of that. How are you feeling?”
The rest of the visit proceeded without mishap.
Henry Bolton stepped out of the room, and the scent of cigarette smoke drifted through the doorway.
Mima focused on Heidi, checked her vitals and looked over the baby, asking questions all the time.
They were both healthy, although Mima worried about the environment they were in and the man who hovered by the doorway with a menacing look on his face.
“Do you need anything?” Mima asked. Would Heidi speak up? Would she ask for help?
The woman shook her head. “We’re fine. Thanks. Will I see you again?”
“No, I’m usually assigned to the hospital. You can visit the Health Centre, though. The nurses there will help you if you’re concerned about anything.”
“Thanks,” she replied. “I think I’m going to take a nap while she’s sleeping. She hasn’t been very tired at night.”
Mima stood to go and packed up her things. “You’re both healthy, and you’re doing a great job with her.”
Heidi beamed. Mima told her goodbye and headed for the door.
As she walked down the hallway, she sensed, rather than saw, Henry fall into step behind her.
Her pulse quickened, and she picked up her pace.
Before she could open the front door, Henry grabbed her by the arm, his fingers digging into her flesh so that she gasped.
He pulled her about so that she stood face to face with him, but he didn’t let go.
“Ouch! What are you doing?” Mima asked, stumbling backwards.
He stood over her, his face thunderous. “What did you say to her? Did you tell her to leave me? I know you did. You all say the same thing.”
“No, I didn’t. Let go of me!” Mima tried to pull herself free of his grasp, but he held on tight.
He stepped closer. His breath stank of tobacco and cheap whiskey. “You should stay. I’ll get you a drink.” His lips pulled into a smirk, and his bloodshot eyes glinted.
“Help!” Mima shouted. She reached for the front door and desperately pulled it open, but she couldn’t get away from him. “Help!” She screamed it louder, yanking against his grip and kicking out towards him as hard as she could.
Her foot connected with his shin and he yelped, then released his hold on her to slap her face.
The pain of it was like a burning white heat across her cheek.
When she recovered her balance, she moved her jaw, and it felt loose.
There were stars dancing before her eyes.
She cowered before him, waiting for the next blow.
But someone rushed through the door and into the unit, launching at Henry.
She blinked in the light from the doorway, saw her opportunity, and stumbled into the open corridor.
There was a scuffle inside the flat, a few shouts, and then the door slammed shut and a man stood before her, puffing.
It was the same man who’d driven Heidi to the hospital.
Mima couldn’t recall his name. Her head felt light, as though it might drift into the sky on a string like a balloon at any moment.