Carl dropped them off at the ER entrance then found a parking spot. Luna carried Skye to the registration desk and signed her in. She handed over the medical card and grimaced at the nurse’s catty comment about government assistance. If she only knew what Luna had gone through.
“I thirsty, Mama.”
She glanced around the full waiting room in search of a water fountain. All she saw was a soda machine, and, of course, she had no cash on her. “I’ll get you something soon, my love.”
The only chairs available were by the window. She adjusted her hold on Skye and carried her over, lowered herself in the chair. Cold air seeped through the glass. Luna pulled Skye close to her to keep her warm.
The automatic doors opened, and Carl walked in. He spotted them then walked over. “Is she signed in?”
“Yes.” She almost told him about the rude nurse, but her pride stopped her. “Looks to be a long night.”
“I see a pot of coffee. Would you like a cup?”
“Sure. Do you have any change by chance? Skye is thirsty, and I don’t have cash on me for the machine.”
He pulled out his wallet. “I have ones. Does she want one of those sports drinks or water?”
“Water.”
“I’ll be right back.” He stopped by the machine first and brought Skye her water before getting the coffee.
Luna didn’t miss the nuance of who he’d served first. He didn’t have a selfish bone in his body and filled other people’s needs before his own. As if to emphasize her thoughts, he held Skye while she drank her coffee.
“She’s asleep,” he said ten minutes later.
“That’s a good sign, I think. It means the pain eased enough to let her rest.” She felt Skye’s forehead with the back of her hand and frowned. “I don’t think the fever’s gone down any.”
“Skye Salcedo,” a nurse called.
They stood and took Skye to triage. The commotion awakened her, and she was inconsolable. Luna fought back tears. She could handle anything that came her way, except seeing one of her babies hurting.
The nurse took Skye’s temperature. “104.9. How long has it been this high?”
“Two hours. We were at a wedding and the babysitter called me.” She realized then she still wore her evening gown and Carl, his suit. What a sight they must have made coming in.
“Have you given her anything?”
Luna repeated what Aloni had given Skye. “She was fine when I left.”
The nurse recorded all that Luna told her. “Any other symptoms?”
“She’s hurting all over.”
“I’d like to get her in a room right away and start running tests.” The nurse must have seen Luna’s worried face. “The doctor will confirm, but I suspect your daughter has the flu.”
“The flu? At this time of the year?” She blinked in surprise. “I thought that was more of a late fall thing.”
“It lasts through spring, and we’ve had five confirmed cases already this evening.” Standing to her feet, the nurse gestured for them to follow.
Carl still held Skye, and Luna held her daughter’s frail hand as they walked down a sterile highway. They entered a room, and Carl laid Skye on a bed. She immediately began shrieking, and Carl picked her up and rocked her in his arms.
Luna sucked in a breath. She’d switch places and take her daughter’s pain if that were possible. How could any mom watch their child in pain and not feel it themselves?
A new nurse came in and swabbed Skye’s nose and throat, and also drew blood, which set Skye into another frenzy. Luna did her best to console her, whispering soothing words into her ears and running a hand through her hair. Skye loved having her hair played with.
Once she wasn’t being poked and prodded, Skye calmed down. She reached for Luna, and Carl handed her over. Luna continued playing with her hair. As long as she did, Skye didn’t fuss.
Half an hour passed before the doctor came in. He apologized for the wait and introduced himself as Dr. Matthews. “Her flu swab came back positive. Since it’s been less than twenty-four hours, I’d like to start her on an antiviral medicine. It won’t cure the flu but will shorten it’s run in her body.”
