“If after two weeks you are still able to breathe on your own and are strong enough, I’ll allow you to go home, but for another two weeks after that, you may not leave your house.” Daniel grimaced at the look on Richard’s face and continued. “Diphtheria is extremely contagious and although you may feel better, the disease could still spread. The disease may bring other complications that you may experience during those two weeks, and it is imperative you stay in my medical care.”
Ruth remained quiet and looked away; Daniel saw that her eyes were damp. He understood her empathy and wished he could comfort her.
“I want to see my wife and son, please, Daniel.” Richard’s voice was soft and quavering. His eyes glistened.
Daniel saw the distress in Richard’s eyes and looked at Ruth, whose face was deeply saddened. He pursed his lips and asked, “Ruth, please bring Mary and Tom to the window.”
She gave a small nod and he noticed she bit the bottom of her lip and wondered what was on her mind.
“Let me help sit you up, Richard.” Daniel could feel how frail he’d become since his admission. This once strong, stocky man with red cheeks on a jovial face was now too weak to sit himself up in bed.
Richard gave a small cough as Daniel helped him to a seated position on the bed. He frowned as he noticed Richard had a bluish tint to his skin and lips. He listened to his heartbeat, which was slightly faster than usual.
Daniel heard Alistair’s footfalls approaching.
“Oh, I see our patient is up already,” Alistair sniffed, looking at Daniel. “I received word that the mayor has taken this diphtheria threat seriously and has quarantined the town.” He paused for dramatic effect and almost choked out the outrageous words, “He plans to stop the railroad from coming to Cheyenne.”
Daniel clapped his hands together and smiled. “That’s very good news. Thank you, Alistair.” He could not hold back his gratitude.
“There are more critical things to worry about than finding a nurse, Alistair,” Daniel reminded him irritably. “If there are no more diphtheria patients after six weeks, then we can safely reopen Cheyenne. Besides, we have Ruth; she has been more than efficient.”
“Yes, she has proven herself quite capable. I haven’t minded her here at all. Your son, on the other hand—”
A couple of knocks on the ward’s window interrupted Alistair, who was not amused. Tom beamed and he stood tall as he knocked against one of the high rectangular windows that overlooked the nurse’s station. His mother stood next to Ruth, both her hands resting on the window. The happy sight of seeing her husband brought tears coursing down her cheeks.
Richard’s smile was frail, but his eyes brightened as if a silver lining had appeared above the clouds after a heavy storm.
“What’s going on?” Alistair frowned, annoyed. “Daniel, we can’t just let people in to do as they please!”
“It’s Mary and Tom, Alistair, don’t you recognize them?” Daniel shook his in disbelief, “Richard’s wife and son.”
“They shouldn’t be here.” Alistair objected. “Richard is infected with this disease and now you want them—”
“It’s fine for them to be here,” Daniel said in exasperation. He was tired of having to battle with Alistair over almost everything. “Richard is isolated, and Ruth is with them to make sure they don’t enter the ward.”
“Do youwantdiphtheria to spread?” Alistair bellowed and Tom’s exuberant knocking and waving stopped as everyone stared at his outburst.
Daniel grabbed Alistair by the arm and pulled him aside. He saw Ruth speak to them and they continued their discourse for several moments.
“Have you no tact?” Daniel glared at Alistair, his voice full of anger. “We’ve known this man for years; he has been seriously ill and now you want to make a scene when he is reunited with his family?”
“Reunited with his family?” Alistair gave a sarcastic smirk, “I see a wall divided between them.”
Daniel dropped Alistair’s arm and shot him a dark look. He wondered whether Alistair’s apathy came from the fact that he didn’t have a family—that he didn’t know what it was like to have people he loved fall sick or worse, die.
“I should like to reopen the clinic soon,” Alistair suddenly declared. “It’s been closed longer than I anticipated.”
“What are you talking about? It’s not even been three days!”
“I have been inundated with house calls!” Alistair’s mustache mustache twitched as the corners of his mouth tightened.
“Is that not what doctors are supposed to do?” Daniel said with irritation.
Alistair lowered his voice but there was no end to his pride, “I had to pay Esther Morris a house call for influenza! Do you have any idea what that means?”
Daniel shook head his head, “No, and I don’t see a problem. I hope she is well soon, though.”
Alistair grunted in annoyance, “That womanis so opinionated! She thinks she knows it all just because she’s one of the first women granted justice of the peace designation. I mean, really!”
