Chapter 46
“I can’t believe you made us sit through that movie.” AJ said.
“Look, it was better than listening to Kevin and Dee, don’t you think?” Howie questioned.
“I don’t know, sitting through a chick flick is not my idea of fun either.” AJ protested.
“AJ, why don’t you just shut up for once. Is it cuz you’re feeling neglected?” Nick shot at him.
“Hey man, it’s just that it is almost Christmas, two of my closest friends are about to get married, another one is off having indescribably pleasurable sex with an old girlfriend of mine, my best friend is getting to walk Heather down the aisle, and all I got was a quick peck on the cheek from the most beautiful woman in the world, who may I add will be made a wife here in a couple of weeks.” AJ commented.
I stood silently, listening to the four of them argue. I suddenly started to feel a bit nauseous. I could feel my body get chilled all over. However, I just stood there as they continued to argue back and forth.
“Dude, listen up, Christmas is almost here, and you will get time to spend at home with your mom, and with all of us. Look, don’t let thing get ya down.” He said.
“I guess your right D. It’s not the end of the world.” AJ said.
“I am sorry y’all, not to break up your little argument here, but I am not feeling all too well, and I think I just want to head back to the hotel.” I said softly.
Nick got a look of concern in his eyes. He knew something wasn’t right, but was afraid to make more of the situation than necessary.
“Heather, hon, are you okay?” he asked me gently.
“I don’t know, maybe I just ate too much. My tummy hurts really bad.” I said.
Nick looked at his friends, feeling nervous. He was afraid something was wrong, afterall, the color in my face was quickly starting to fade. I was looking paler by the minute as the guys helped me to the car. Brian and Howie tried to keep Nick calm as I took a turn for the worse.
I had begun to vomit uncontrollably. Nick sat in the back seat of the car as he tried to hold me up. AJ began to question as to whether he should take me to the hospital or back to the hotel.
“AJ...please, just take me to the hotel.” I said in between stomach spasms. “Honest....I....will....be okay.” I said as I threw up again.
Howie and Brian were now more concerned, but tried not to let it show. They didn’t want Nick to get more upset.
“Baby, we need to get you to the emergency room. Something isn’t right.” Nick protested.
“Nick, please, please, just take me to the hotel. Honest, I just ate too much or something, I will be...” I tried to say as my eyes rolled up into my head.
“Oh God, AJ, hurry. She is unconscious!” Nick yelled.
AJ got the hospital as quickly as he could. Howie and Brian helped Nick pick me up and carry my into the emergency room as AJ parked the car.
A nurse came running over as the three of them brought me through the doors.
“Please help! She passed out. She has been vomiting uncontrollably for the past 15 minutes. You have to help her!” Nick panicked.
“Sir, you have a few questions, please come over here...they will take good care of her.” The nurse said as she pulled Nick over to the counter with her.
“What is her name? Are you related to her? What was she doing at the time that all this started?” the nurse bombarded him with questions.
Nick answered everything, including the fact that I was pregnant, and then the nurse escorted him to the waiting room. Brian, Howie and AJ sat with Nick, trying to calm him down.
“Oh please, just let her be alright. She can’t take anymore stress in her life right now. Please don’t let her loose that baby.” Nick cried.
The others were at a complete loss for words. They knew that the baby and I were the most important things in Nick’s life. If he lost either of us, it would destroy him. They tried to comfort him as they waited for the doctor to come. Howie quickly called Kevin and Dee, and told them the situation.
After a short wait, which to Nick felt like an eternity, the doctor silently approached the group.
“Mr. Carter, your fiance, well, she is going to be alright, but we need to keep her overnight.” The doctor said.
“Please tell me she is going to be fine. What is wrong with her? Please tell me.” Nick pleaded.
“Your fiance seems to have a food borne illness called Staphylococcus aureus. It is a very nasty type of food poisoning. She obviously ate something that was contaminated. What did she have to eat today, sir?” the doctor questioned.
“Umm, she ate...” Nick tried to recall everything that I had eaten during the day. “...umm, pancakes, eggs, and bacon for breakfast, but we all had the same. Then she had Wendy’s junior bacon cheeseburgers, french fries, chili, salad, a potato, and a drink. Then at the movies she had a pickle, popcorn, soda, ice cream and candy.” He finished.
“Well, was there anything that she had that you didn’t? It would have to be something with meat. That is what the bacteria grows in.” The doctor asked.
“Yes...she had chili at the restaurant. That is all I can think of.” Nick responded.
“Well, then, we know the culprit. Umm, I will have to contact the Health Department, so please excuse me.” The doctor said.
“But sir, is she and the baby alright?” Nick questioned.
“Oh yes sir. They are fine, she just needs to stay overnight for observation. She came in very dehydrated, so we have her on an IV solution that should improve her condition greatly over the next few hours. Have no fear, you can take her home tomorrow. Now, you may go and see her if you like. She is in Curtain 3 right now.” The doctor said as he walked off.
Nick told the others to head back to the hotel and let Dee and Kevin know that everything was fine. He then made his way to see me.
“Oh Heather. I wish that you didn’t have to go through all these terrible things all the time. Sometimes I get the feeling that I am nothing but bad luck for you.” Nick whispered.
“It’s not you sweetie, don’t worry. I told you I ate too much...” I giggled weakly.
“Look, you get some rest, and I will stay right here with you. The doc said that you could leave tomorrow.” Nick finished.
I looked around the room, and soon realized that I had a huge needle in my arm. “What is this for!!?” I panicked.
“Honey, they are just giving you some fluids to make you better. It won’t hurt the baby, and it will help you get better quickly. Please honey, stay calm.” Nick soothed me.
I dozed off, as Nick stayed at my side for the night. Later the next morning, Nick found himself being woken by a nurse. She was checking me over for my release. As soon as the doctor said it was okay to go, Nick called Brian and asked him to come and pick us up.
It wasn’t long before we got back to the hotel. Nick helped me
to our room and I laid down for a bit. Nick said that he would be
back in a bit and then left me to rest.