The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 73 - Dr. Lin

Susan was sleeping by the time Greg returned to the hospital. The guest bed had been brought in and set up as promised. The room was mostly dark and there didn't seem to be anything else to do aside from going to bed.

Using the hospital room's private bath to change in, Greg put on his pajamas and climbed into the guest bed. He lay for a long time trying to get comfortable, listening to the steady beep of Melody and Susan's monitors, one fast and steady, the other slow and regular as he listened to her breath. He concentrated on that, trying to relax, but it wasn't easy in a hospital setting. It felt strange and he began to wonder why he was there until he heard Susan stir.

"Greg?" Susan's voice came softly from the hospital bed beside his.

"I'm here, Susan," Greg said sitting up immediately.

"Did you just get here?" Susan asked in confusion.

"No, I've been here a while. I'm in the guest bed beside yours," Greg told her reaching for her out-stretched hand. He couldn't quite reach it however so he slid his feet into his slippers and came to stand beside her bed. Susan blinked in the darkness at him as he held her hand. "Are you all right?" he asked when she didn't say anything.

"I think so. It's just so strange being here. The last time I was in a hospital we weren't married and they didn't let you stay with me," Susan recalled.

"I remember. The circumstances were entirely different," Greg reminded her.

"I know. I was injured then. I'm not now, but I don't know ... Maybe it's just the hospital setting, but both times I've had some weird dreams," Susan told him.

Greg raised his brow. "You haven't been asleep very long."

"I didn't think so," Susan said. She took a deep breath and moved her body a bit as if trying to find a position that was comfortable. "We should probably go back to sleep. I know you have to work tomorrow."

"I do, but you need the rest too. Today was a very busy day for you, what with the party and the emergency trip to the hospital and everything," Greg said.

Susan nodded sleepily. "Sorry to wake you," she murmured as she released his hand. "Good night, Greg."

"Good night."

c

Their night together in the hospital was short and often interrupted by hospital staff coming to check on Susan's IV or to adjust something on one of her monitors. Greg woke every time one of them came in, and usually Susan did too. Then finally somewhere around six am, someone from the lab came in to draw Susan's blood. There was a change of shift, prompting Greg to get up and dress for the day. Breakfast was served to Susan while he was in the shower. It was still early, but she had finished eating when Greg emerged. Not ten minutes after that, a tiny Asian woman walked in, introducing herself as Dr. Linda Lin.

"Good morning," she said with a pleasant smile to the two. "You must be the Abernathys."

"Yes, we are," Greg said. "I'm Greg. This is my wife, Susan."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Greg; and you too Susan. I met with Dr. Daniels late yesterday. He sent me some files on your little girl and I've been reviewing them. I'd like to share with you what I see here," she began.

"By all means," Susan said. "We were wondering how bad it is. I mean the report I read made it sound like Melody has multiple holes and abnormalities in her heart."

"Melody, what a beautiful name," Dr. Lin said appreciatively. "Have you some medical training, Susan?"

"Yes, I trained as an obstetrical nurse years ago. More recently I've been working in drug development in the pharmaceutical industry, so I see medical terms somewhat regularly," Susan explained.