Chapter 24
Pandora felt her heart beating strangely. It was almost as if it was trying to escape her chest. The room felt so much smaller than it was as if someone took half the size and took all the clean oxygen with it.
“Pandora, slow breaths,” Dr. Parks said and she shook her head.
It was always clear that Miriam didn’t like her, but she never liked any woman her son went with. Pandora never took it personally, but to have her come to the hospital and say those things.
“How did she know I was here?” Pandora asked,
‘Someone I trust must be talking to Derrik. Who the hell would do that? her mind screamed at her.
“Pandora!” Dr. Parks yelled, drawing her out of her thoughts. “It’s okay. I’ll make sure she doesn’t get in here again. He stopped and swallowed. “She was downstairs when I brought you here this morning. I saw her again this afternoon when I was having my lunch; she asked what ward I work for. I didn’t think anything of it… I’m sorry.”
Pandora shook her head at him. “It’s okay, a lot of people have those in–laws from hell,” she tried to chuckle out, but it came out more like a sob.
“I’m still sorry,” he said.
“Really, it’s fine, Dr. Parks, she told him as she wiped her face.
“Benjamin,” he said and she frowned looking at him. “My name is Benjamin,” he shook his head and closed his eyes.
He pushed his glasses up as he rubbed his eyes, and she found that she was disappointed that his glasses were back in place before she was able to see his eyes without them.
“You can call me Benjamin when talking to me.” Pandora nodded at him and he smiled. “So, are you feeling better?” Pandora shook her head a little. “Lie back down and get some sleep; I’ll make sure Emily keeps everyone out of your room.”
“Thank you, Benjamin.” His name seemed to flow out of her mouth as if it belonged there.
Benjamin’s smile brightened at the sound of his name. He helped her lie down and even went as far as to pull the covers over her.
Pandora was on day four of her hospital stay, where the rest and IV had made her feel better. She was still unable to hold down much of anything. Having been trapped in the hospital room for four days, she talked Emily into letting her take a walk, without the IV connected, down to the cafeteria.
She sat at a table, looking around as she ate some watermelon, when two women caught her eye, mainly because one of them was her doctor Benjamin’s wife. The older woman pulled out her seat and sat down, clearly unhappy.
“Come on, Maa, Benjamin’s wife said and she couldn’t help but look their way.
“Maisey, we were meant to all be celebrating today. It’s the day you joined the family, but that boy of mine forgot. I cannot believe that he forgot! He’s the reason you joined our family, and he forgot!”
“It’s just a day, and you know Benjamin, he’s just so caught up in his work. Don’t worry; he’ll make it up to me.”
The older woman, Benjamin’s mom, just hummed. “Maybe so, but there is still the fact that I know he is hiding something from me. There’s something going on, and mark my words, I will find out what it is.”
Maisey giggled and covered her mouth, trying hard to hide it.
“You all underestimate me and my detective skills.”
“Nah, Maa, we all know what you’re capable of, and that’s why we love you.” Maisey stopped and looked at her cell. “I need to get to work; tell Benjamin that Ilove him, and I’ll see him tonight.”
Maisey stood up and kissed her mother–in–law’s head. Almost at the same time, Pandora’s stomach started the tell–tale signs that she was going to throw up. She leaped up and ran, knocking into Maisey.
“Sorry,” she muffled as she had covered her mouth with her hand. Running to the women’s bathroom, she was happy to see there was a free stall. She only just made it in there as she threw up again, and again.
Pandora groaned as she finally stopped and just stayed on the floor curled up.
“Here you go, dear.”
Pandora jumped and turned to see Benjamin’s mom standing there with some wet paper towels.
“Thank you,” she smiled at her and wiped her face clean. She started to stand, but swayed at the same time as Benjamin’s mom wrapped her arm around Pandora’s waist. She leaned over her, flushing the toilet for Pandora.
She once again muttered her thanks and she guided Pandora to the sink and helped her wash her hands.
“What ward are you in dear?” she asked, sounding so motherly, the kind of voice Pandora never had in her life.
“Benjamin’s my doctor,” she got out feeling her lip wobble. She frowned at Pandora and she shook her hand at the older woman and then covered her face. “Sorry, I seem to have lost the ability to control my emotions from the moment I found out I was pregnant.”
Benjamin’s mom chuckled. “I was like a raving lunatic when I was pregnant both times, so I take it you know my son Benjamin?”
Pandora nodded as the woman helped her walk. “He’s my doctor.”
“Well, I hope he’s taking good care of you both?” His mom carried on with a smile.
“The three of us,” she amended. “I just found out a couple of days ago I’m having twins,” she couldn’t help but tell the gentle older woman. I hope they’re okay; all this sickness can’t be good for them, and I waited so long.” She stopped her word vomit by taking a deep breath.
“Oh, I understand… my Benjamin was a twin, and I lost the second child, so I do understand. But now times have moved on, and not that I’m boasting, but my son is one of the best baby doctors around.”
