Calm washed over her as she pulled on that internal string. The gift that she had felt before in her had bloomed into something larger and powerful and…brilliant. She imagined white light pulsing within her, and she poured that healing light into Carrie. It felt like giving the perfect gift to your best friend. She was so excited to see Carrie’s reaction. Ophelia opened her eyes as Carrie let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, thank you,” Carrie whispered with her eyes closed. Her face was relaxed, and her body sat easily in the wingback chair.
She’d treated someone for the first time on her own, and not only had it been fairly easy, it felt wonderful. Like she had a purpose. Ophelia beamed, and a tear of relief rolled down Carrie’s pale and sunken cheek.
“Anytime.” Ophelia smiled, patted her hand, and stood. “Now, go to the pharmacy in town and get a pack of those cranberry pills. The generic brand should do it. They turn your pee a bright orange. It’s crazy, but yeah, take them, and it’ll help flush out the bacteria. I was able to take away your discomfort, reduce inflammation, and rid you of any surface-level bacteria, but you know how it goes, I can’t cure you from ever getting them again. These UTIs can be nasty and recurrent. Have you gotten them before?”
Carrie nodded.
“Okay, just stay on top of it with the cranberry pills, and if it gets worse, I recommend going to an urgent care or your primary care physician for some antibiotics.”
Carrie erupted into a sob again.
“Carrie, what’s going on?” Ophelia said gently. “You can trust me.”
“My…my husband isn’t very nice, and I have found someone else who…is nice. And, and I want to leave my husband, but I can’t.” Carrie let out a single sniffle and used the cloth to wipe her face. “The kids, ya know? And the last time I had a UTI, my husband found out ’cause his stupid friend works at the doctor’s, and he accused me of being a whore. He...” Carrie stumbled, looking for the right words to say. “Well, I’m sure you can guess what he did. But he wasn’t wrong. He wasn’t. I love another, I do, and yet I can’t leave him.”
Ophelia sighed. “I’m sorry that happened to you. That friend of his at the doctor’s office is a jerk and an idiot. Urinary tract infections are not sexually transmitted diseases. There are many ways they can be contracted.” Ophelia thought for a moment, then asked, “Have you been to the women’s shelter before?”
“No. I know I should…” Carrie trailed off, never finishing her thought. Ophelia knew there was no excuse that would make sense said out loud.
Ophelia nodded and held Carrie’s hand. Of course, Carrie could call the cops, but maybe her husband had friends at the police too. Small towns were like that. If he had a lot of friends in Oakdale, there would be no bounds to his influence.
Perhaps she was hesitant because of money. Lawyers were expensive. She was clearly afraid of her husband, and a divorce would mean constant fear of physical retaliation or potentially losing custody of her children.
Ophelia wanted to fix all these problems for her, but knew that she couldn’t. She also knew that it could take multiple attempts for women in domestic violence situations to leave.
“Tell you what. I’m going to give you my cell number. I live in NOLA, but if you start to feel bad again, call me. I have a way to get some antibiotics, and I can bring some in for you.”
That was a lie. She did not have a way to get antibiotics, but she would figure it out. Perhaps she could ask Etienne for a script. She doubted he would entertain that. She could always goto the doctor herself and feign UTI symptoms. She’d commit small crimes so this woman wouldn’t get beat black and blue again.
Carrie left shortly after she was treated and had Ophelia’s cell number tucked into the pocket on the inside of her purse, hidden between the folds of a gas station receipt. Ophelia hoped that she would call her if she needed it.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
After treating Carrie, Ophelia was exhausted and desperately wanted to curl up in her own bed at home and fall into a dreamless slumber. But she couldn’t. Not yet, at least. She still had a three-hour drive ahead and a new life to put together.
Mawmaw reassured Ophelia that she would get used to treating and not feel as wiped out after. Yesterday afternoon’s adventure into the world’s worst pain ever likely didn’t help with her exhaustion. She vowed to take it one step at a time.
Ophelia tidied up at Mawmaw’s, packed all of her belongings, and held her grandmother tightly in her arms.
“Thank you, Mawmaw, thank you. I hope I can help as many people as you have.”
“You will, and more, probably. Keep practicing.”
“I will. When should I come visit again?”
Mawmaw hummed. “As far as I know, I don’t have anything going on the next two weekends. No visitors or nothin’. Best to call your aunt Susan to make sure, but you know I wanna see you. Check in on how your gift is doing. Maybe you can treat these old hands.”
“I’d be honored.” Ophelia smiled and kissed her cheek.
“Git, git,” shooed Mawmaw.
Ophelia satin her car fiddling with her phone before departingfor New Orleans. She set her GPS to take her back home, picked out a playlist, and then remembered she never checked Jade’s email.
From: [email protected]
