CHAPTER FIVE
Angel and Miller stepped inside the small, rural, community hospital. Known for treating patients who had no medical insurance, or only Medicare or Medicaid, they hoped to find answers.
“Jesus,” whispered Miller, “the smell of urine is overpowering.”
“I’m sure they’re doing the best they can,” nodded Angel. “These places are overworked, the staff underpaid, and the patients are the most needy of all. Remember, brother, our hospital once was treating folks just like this.”
“That’s true,” frowned Miller. “What changed?”
“Your family made sure the families that came in had what they needed. They changed lives, brother.” Angel walked up to the desk and asked to see the head of emergency care.
“That’s Dr. Rivas. He’s with a patient right now but I’ll let him know you’re here. It’s slowed a bit today.”
“Thank you,” said Angel.
He turned and took a seat next to Miller who was staring directly into the eyes of a young boy with a runny nose. The boy was seated across from him, holding tightly to a woman’s hand. She appeared to be his grandmother but he didn’t want to make that assumption.
“Are you making friends again?” smirked Angel.
“I’m not sure. He’s giving me the stink eye,” smiled Miller.
The little boy released the older the woman’s hand and walked slowly toward the two men. When he was an arm’s length away, he spoke.
“Are you football players?” he asked. Miller laughed, shaking his head.
“A long time ago we played a little football,” he said smiling. “We’re way too old to play now.”
“Do you have a cold?” asked Angel.
“Not me. BeeBee does. She’s been sick for a while now and I told her we had to walk here this morning. My dad works on the fishing boats. I ain’t got no mama.”
“You don’t have a mama,” said Miller gently.
“That’s what I said,” he frowned.
Miller looked across at the woman who hadn’t moved since the boy released her hand. She was staring off, straight ahead and his stomach flipped.
“Why don’t we go get you a snack,” said Angel pointing to the vending machine. “Would you like some chips and maybe a soda?”
“Sure. BeeBee do you want something?” he asked the old woman. She didn’t move, didn’t say anything.
“Maybe she’s tired,” said Miller quietly.
Angel took the boy’s hand and nodded at his friend. Miller stood and stepped forward, kneeling in front of the woman. He felt for a pulse and found nothing at her wrist, then felt at her neck. Nothing. Quickly, he lifted the woman and carried her through the doors.
“Hey, you can’t come back here!” yelled a nurse.
“This woman has been sitting out for there for a while and she’s stopped breathing. Either you get me the equipment I need or I’ll take it.”
“Shit,” muttered the young woman. She pointed to a vacant gurney and Miller lay her on the table. As the nurses and doctor began working on the woman, he turned to the receptionist.
“How long was she out there?” he asked.
“Maybe thirty minutes. She finished her admission form about ten minutes ago, right before you guys came in.”
“Good. Maybe we got her in time,” said Miller.
He stepped back out into the waiting room and saw Angel laughing with the little boy. He’d bought more than a little snack, filling a small bag with treats for the kid.
“Where’s my BeeBee?” he asked.
“She’s back with the doctors now,” said Miller. “They’re going to take care of her.”
“She’s been real sick,” he said shaking his head like a small adult. “Coughing, havin’ trouble breathing, she even messed her pants a few times and she never does that. Dad had to go to work or he’d lose his job.”
“Do you know the name of the boat your dad is on?” asked Angel.
“Sure. The Grabby Crabby. Get it?” he laughed.
Angel nodded, smiling at the boy. They knew that the comms team would be sending a message to the boat that the man was needed.
“Are you with the woman you carried to the back?” asked the doctor walking toward him.
“No. This is her grandson. We were just here waiting to see someone.”
“Oh, right,” he nodded. “Well, we’ll try to do two things at once. You got her back there in time. Her blood sugar was out of control. Nearly six-hundred. We’ve got her on fluids, pumping insulin into her now, but she should be alright.”
“She was takin’ cough medicine from the store,” said the boy.
“That stuff has lots of sugar in it,” said the doctor. “Next time, tell her to call me and we’ll give her something better.”
“What about the cough?” asked Miller. “Is it that strange virus?”
“No. Thank goodness. I’m not sure she would have come out of that. She’s got run of the mill pneumonia but I need to get the blood sugar under control first. We’ll keep her overnight just to be sure she has what she needs. Is the boy alone?”
“His father is on his way,” said Angel. The doctor turned, waving a nurse over to them.
“Val? Can you take this brave young man back to see his BeeBee? He can stay back there until his father comes.”
“Yes, sir,” smiled the nurse taking his hand. The boy turned, smiling at the two men.
“Thanks for the snacks mister!” They both chuckled and the doctor took a seat beside them.
“I’ve got a few minutes, how can I help you?”
They explained what they were searching for and the doctor repeated much of what was told to Gaspar and Nine.
“Listen, just take a look around you. None of these people can afford to travel anywhere. Most of them walked here or took a bus. They don’t eat exotic foods, unless you count squirrel and possum as exotic,” he grinned.
“I had a run of folks two weeks ago. Lost six. Since then it’s been the norm.
Pneumonia, flu, colds, a few broken bones but nothing like those first few weeks. ”
“Any idea where this is coming from?” asked Miller.
“None. Believe me if I knew I’d definitely tell you.” A nurse called to him and stood, turning from the men. “I’m sorry. I have to get back there. Thanks again for bringing the woman back to us. We do our best but shit gets missed.”
“Of course,” nodded Angel.
They turned to leave, staring at the room full of patients. It was a small snippet of the healthcare crisis in America. Folks looking for quality care without health insurance and it seemed to effect those most vulnerable. The elderly and children.
“Come on brother,” said Miller. “We’ve got more stops to make.”