Sunflower Café

14

–H

As Harry strode back to the waiting area, he stopped abruptly when he passed a corridor where he heard people whispering frantically to each other as if they did not want to be heard. He was never one to snoop or even eavesdrop, but he couldn't help stopping dead in his tracks when he heard her name being mentioned.

"I've performed various tests on Amaya, including the tilt-table test. Most of these were heart evaluations so we could rule out any cardiac causes for fainting as well as any heart abnormalities, and I'm pleased to say her results have been outstanding." Harry recognized the voice to be Dr. Adair's.

"Then why do I get the feeling you're not too happy about it?" a male voice asked.

"Um, because..."

"Yes?" He rushed.

"Well the thing is, now that we've ruled out any heart problems, we're forced to think her fainting could've been caused by any other number of things."

"Like..." he urged.

"As you know, fainting is usually harmless and nothing a little sugar and rest can't fix. But complications arise with Amaya..." her voice grew worried. "This episode means we'll have to start unraveling the list of h-"

"Oh, that. Alright, I see. Well what do we do now? How do we proceed? More test? More visits? Is she going to have to start staying here?"

"No, actually, that's the problem. I'm afraid we can't proceed. Seeing as her test results indicate that her episode was harmless, we have no medical obligation to hold her back. She's free to leave."

"Wait, what? Just like that?" The man sounded distressed. "But she's not okay! She didn't just faint out of nowhere! And you know that very well, Allison."

She sighed, "I do know that. But there is simply no way I can hold her here for any longer. And she knows that too. She'll want to leave as soon as I tell her the tests have come back clear."

"Well can't you run more tests? Check her vitals? Draw some blood? Take some X-rays?Do something."

"Andres..."

"No! Help her! She needs more tests. Make her get more tests! I'm not leaving until you do. I'll do anything, I'll pay extra! Just, please, Allison, help her."

     "Andres..." her voice was pained.

     "No, no! I refuse to believe it. You're her doctor, you should be helping her!"

"I can't force her to do anything she doesn't consent to. She's not a child anymore. And you don't hold the authority to make any of her medical decisions anymore either. So I'm sorry to say it, Andres, but I'm dismissing her."

"No! Allison, please. Just–just at least give her a blood test. Please. You know you'll get all the answers there."

"I'm sorry, Andres. But I can't, and I wont."

"Well thanks for nothing," he spat. "Fucking waste of my time and money."

With that, Harry heard shuffling of feet so he immediately made for the waiting area again, and sat expectantly on the same chair as before. He saw Amaya's father, whom he'd come to recognize as Andres, enter the ER shortly after and approach Rose. They spoke softly for a few minutes before the man turned to Harry, giving him a small nod of recognition.

The curly lad's hands twitched in nervousness as he realized Andres had started to near him, his intimidating eyes on Harry. Mitch stirred next to him, his head falling on his shoulder in sleep. Harry touched his hair tenderly and was adjusting his head to be more comfortable, when a looming presence before him made him turn his head.