Those Weekends In New England

Chapter Twenty One

If a song has a wide range and many notes are covered, there's relief when the last note sounds.

"Let's check you out." Dr. Leitner bounced into Hannah's sunlit room the next morning. "Mrs. Moran said you're in good spirits." The now-familiar nurse stood in the background.

"I've been dizzy. And nauseous and sore."

"Dizzy? You're overdoing it then. Trying for too much too soon. Nausea and soreness, well, that's unfortunately to be expected. We'll get you something to alleviate all that." He listened to her strong heartbeat and smiled. No apparent ill effects there. "So what about Mr. Lorenzo? How is he? Maybe he makes you dizzy." He winked at her. "I hear he was in to see you." Nearing her bed, he motioned to the nurse. "Let me check the ribs. Thanks, Mrs. Moran."

Hannah answered his question about Denny after he completed his check-up. "He's okay."

"Glad to hear that. He seems to be a fine man. I hope he understands not to tire you, though. In all seriousness, his visit could've added to your dizziness."

"He wasn't here long, just long enough to say what I needed to hear." Then she frowned. "Did I do something strange last night?" Fuzzy images came to mind. "Late last night? I was given a pill and then there were these dreams, or what I thought were dreams." The doctor cocked his head at her. "But they weren't, were they?"

"Hannah, you need time to assimilate what has happened to you. Everything will be explained when you've had time to mend."

She muttered unintelligibly, and her eyes narrowed. "No, Dr. Leitner, now."

He put his hands on his hips and shook a finger at her. She waved aside his attempts to distract her. "Now," she repeated. "I know about the drugs Georgi gave me, and I think that's why things are weird for me now. But I don't understand the repercussions, and that's what's scaring me. Maybe if I knew what to expect?"

The physician shuffled through his patient's chart. When he had nothing more to read, he met her steady, calculating gaze. In a final response, he threw her a curve ball. "Can I pry a bit first?" Hannah didn't respond. "What did Denny say to you yesterday to make you feel so good?"

Her eyes widened before she shrugged. "Okay, you're the doctor. I guess that gives you permission to pry. Denny said he loved me. He had said the words before, before all this, but now I believe him. No matter what happened, or what will happen, he wants to be with me." She looked at her fingernails. "And, well, Peter came by, too. Everything seems settled there, and he and I are at peace with each other."

"Good! Exactly what I hoped to hear." The doctor cleared his throat. "Okay, I'll give this to you straight because I believe you can handle it. Last night you were hallucinating. Thrashing all over your bed. Trying to get out and reach your window." He hesitated but went on. "I'm not sure but I believe you thought it led to steps. You kept yelling about getting to the top of the steps."

She shut her eyes. "That's why the heavy sleep overcame me."

He nodded. "We sedated you. Last night wasn't the first time, either. Maybe not the last. The drugs that were introduced into your otherwise nearly spotless system are trying their darnedest to continue to wreak havoc. Know anything about the stuff?"

"Not really."

"Hallucinogens distort reality and can cause continuing drastic mood swings."

Her face blanched.

"That's enough for now to satisfy your stubborn curiosity. From here on out, you do need to be aware of why your body and mind may react in unusual ways." He tapped his finger against the side of his nose. "I asked about Denny for a special reason."