Defying Science

Pneumonia

"Hello, I'm Dr. Morgan, what seems to be the problem?" is the first thing I hear when I wake up. I cough then look at the doctor.

I take a second to take in his appearance, before answering, "I have pneumonia, I believe." Doctor Morgan nods, looking at the papers in his hands.

"So it seems, Ms. Cox. I fear that if you do not get better, that you may eventually die." He says, solemnly. I let a gasp before coughing again. "But, that doesn't mean that you will. There's a slight chance. I've seen a lot of people who had pneumonia and died; but I've also saw people with it that have survived."

I roll my eyes and reply, "Geez, doc, makes me feel better." He chuckles and places his hands on the end of my bed. "So, what am I, you, going to do?"

Doctor Morgan cocks his head a little, "I'm going to put you on some antibiotics and see where you go from there." I nod at his words and try to sit up, but fail. "I suggest that you just lay down."

I nod again and reply, "I don't think that's too hard." He chuckles as I smile lightly. "What are the chances I will die?"

Doctor Morgan walks around to one of the chairs beside my bed then frowns, "There's more of a chance that you will then you surviving. I'm sorry to say it like that. But it's true." I nod, looking away from the handsome doctor. "Do you have any family we could contact in the event you do die?" As he says this, my mother and one of my sisters walks in.

"Elizabeth, how are you feeling?" Mom asks, taking my hand in hers.

I look over at Doctor Morgan, "Meet my mother and-" I start coughing again before finishing, "my sister, Josephine."

Doctor Morgan nods and sticks out one of his hands, "Nice to meet you both, I'm Dr. Morgan."

Mom looks at him and shakes his hand, "Nice to meet you, too, Dr. Morgan. How is my girl?" She asks, looking back at me.

"No need to talk of me as if I'm an animal, Mother." I snap, before coughing once again.

Doctor Morgan chuckles at my response to my mother, "Well, she has pneumonia, currently. But, with some antibiotics and a little food in her system, she should be okay." He replies placing his hands on the side of the bed.

Josephine looks from me to him, "But, so many people are dying from it. How do you know she won't?" Josephine is a shorter, younger version of me. Unlike me, though, her hair is more brown then my blonde hair.

"One can never know for sure. But, I do believe that she will be okay. You needn't worry about her, she is in very capable hands." Doctor Morgan replies, looking at his watch. "I must be off to see my other patients. I should be back in a couple hours to check up on you, Elizabeth."

I nod and look at mom, "I believe in him, Mother. You should too."

"Believe in him, Elizabeth? You have just met the man!" Mom yells, making my roommate look at us strange.

I smile apologetically at her, before looking at my mother and sister, "Maybe so, but you and father always taught me to believe in our doctors. So, don't blame me for following your rules!" I shake my head, living with my mother was always hard. She and I are so much alike that we clash, in a sense. But, that's no reason for her to talk to me like she has. Does it?

Josephine nods at me before turning to mother, "I think it's time that we go, don't you think, mother?" She asks, knowing how I feel about her and her attitude.

"Why, yes, Josephine, I must get back and start dinner. Goodbye, Elizabeth." Mother says, kissing my forehead then leaving.

I turn to look at my roommate, who says, "You must be Elizabeth. I'm Ica, pronounced icee."