He glanced at me and I nodded. “I’ll be in the waiting room,” he said, then disappeared through the door.
“Who is that boy? What happened to you?”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t his fault. I wasn’t paying attention to what I was eating.”
She bustled around the room, taking my blood pressure and my pulse and asking me questions. Dr. Cooper let himself in the room halfway through and stood silently watching. When Gladys was done he took over and I had to sit through his poking too.
When he was done, he made a few notes in his chart and then looked at me. “Your blood pressure is a little low. Are you having difficulty breathing?”
I shook my head. “No. But my chest feels tight.”
He nodded. “It probably will for a day or so. You’re going to be sore tomorrow. Normally I would want to keep you here or send you over to the ER, but since you know what you’re doing…” He gave me a mischievous look. “You have been going to class and paying attention, haven’t you?”
I smiled. “Yes.”
He nodded. “Okay, then. I’d say you’re fine to go home. But if you feel any worse or experience any new symptoms or swelling, call me immediately. You have my number.”
When he was gone, Gladys looked at me. “I’m going to get you a bottle of Benadryl to take home. Take some later. It’ll help with those hives.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And don’t come in tomorrow afternoon. Stay home and rest!”
“Oh, that isn’t necessary,” I said, my throat finally loosening some.
“Don’t you sass me. You’re going to thank me tomorrow.” She went to the door. “And when I come back, I wanna know about that boy in the waiting room.”
She left and I was blissfully alone. The silence was nice after all the chaos. My body was still wound tight and I felt lightly anxious. My stomach was upset and underneath it all, I was bone tired. I didn’t like being the patient. I didn’t like feeling helpless.
There was a soft knock at the door and then Dex stuck his head inside. “Can I come in?”
I nodded and he let himself in, closing the door silently behind him. “Everything okay?”
“I’m still a little shaky, but I’ll be okay. I’m sorry about all the drama.”
“I should be the one apologizing. I invited you for dinner, then fed you something that landed you here.” He looked down at the floor as he spoke.
“I’m allergic to peanuts. It’s a pretty severe allergy. The chicken was probably fried in peanut oil.” I explained. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“You don’t blame me?” he asked, almost like he was surprised.
“Why would I? It’s not like you knew I was allergic to peanuts and deliberately fed them to me.” I gave him a look. “Right?”
He looked like a deer caught in a pair of headlights. His eyes were wide and his face was frozen in fear and shock.
I smiled. “Relax. I’m kidding.”
His face melted and he smiled. “At least let me give you a ride home.”
“Thanks.”
Gladys came back carrying a small paper sack. She stopped when she saw Dex in the room. “What are you doing in here?”
Once again, he looked like the deer.
“He’s my ride,” I said. “Can I please go?”
“You sure you trust this guy?” she asked, not even trying to lower her voice.
