Read Online The REASON Series - the Complete Collection by Zoey Derrick - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Zoey Derrick
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circumstances. You're pregnant and undernourished. Your white blood cell count is low, and that means you're more susceptible to infections. But the good news is, you don’t have any of the more serious conditions that usually cause white blood cell counts to be low, so I'm guessing that a healthier diet will boost that right back up. In the meantime, I've given you some vitamins through your IV that should help start the process. You need to finish it by eating and getting more sleep."
I try to nod, not sure how I'm going to manage what she is asking me to do.
"I've made a couple of phone calls for you. Have you ever heard of food stamps or W.I.C.?"
"No."
"Well, food stamps are part of a state-funded program that allows people and families with limited income to obtain food, and W.I.C. is a program available for children and pregnant woman. It provides food vouchers for additional things that you need."
"I never knew." How could I have not known all this time there was help available? Why was I not told about this at the shelter? Or why didn’t Yvonne, my social worker, tell me?
"Well, now you do. There are also other programs out there that can help you. I've made an appointment for you for Monday morning with W.I.C. The details are in the pile of papers on the tray next to you, along with some more information about food stamps and W.I.C. In the meantime, H.C.M.C. is a county hospital, and we have a couple of programs that provide emergency assistance to patients. I've taken the liberty of arranging for some emergency food stamps and emergency cash. This will help get you home as well as get you some much-needed food. I can only lead you to it, though. You have to do the rest."
I nod. "Thank you."
"You need to take care of you. And that beautiful baby you're carrying." She closes the binder and stands up. "Believe me when I tell you, pride can be a royal pain in the ass. Sometimes you have to let it go."
"I'm trying, but it's hard."
"I know, and I understand. But think about this: If you can take what I've arranged for you, maybe you can consider whatever it is that Mikah’s trying to offer you. I can almost guarantee there are no strings attached. He’s not that kind of man."
I take a deep breath, trying to wash away all the thoughts of strings attached. "I will try," I say, quiet as a mouse. I’m tempted to explain to her my hesitation at accepting his help, but the wounds are deep and it would take more than one friendly conversation to want to share them.
She comes to sit at the foot of the bed, looking at me. "I've arranged for you to be discharged as soon as you're ready to go. On one condition?"
Oh great. "What condition?"
"That you stay at least until tomorrow morning. I’d like you to stay, get some dinner and eat some more in the morning. It’s getting late and I know how difficult it would be to get something to eat where you live. So please, stay tonight. Have dinner, then breakfast, and whatever else you want in between now and then. Then go home. The nurse on duty in the morning can arrange a cab to come and pick you up. Or she can call Mr. Blake for you. Either way, get yourself to a store and buy some groceries. I've included a diet to help with the malnutrition and bring you back up to normal."
I try to remind myself that she is helping and not patronizing me or my abilities to take care of myself. "Thank you. For everything."
"It's my job," she states without any hint of irritation.
"Helping a girl like me medically is a part of your job, but not like this. So thank you."
"My pleasure, Vivienne." She turns to leave. "Oh" — spinning back around to look at me — "I almost forgot. As I am now your doctor, I've made an appointment for two weeks from today – Friday at nine forty-five – here at the hospital. I have a private practice space on the 3rd floor. I want to meet with you to see how things are going. After that, we will meet about every four weeks
I try to nod, not sure how I'm going to manage what she is asking me to do.
"I've made a couple of phone calls for you. Have you ever heard of food stamps or W.I.C.?"
"No."
"Well, food stamps are part of a state-funded program that allows people and families with limited income to obtain food, and W.I.C. is a program available for children and pregnant woman. It provides food vouchers for additional things that you need."
"I never knew." How could I have not known all this time there was help available? Why was I not told about this at the shelter? Or why didn’t Yvonne, my social worker, tell me?
"Well, now you do. There are also other programs out there that can help you. I've made an appointment for you for Monday morning with W.I.C. The details are in the pile of papers on the tray next to you, along with some more information about food stamps and W.I.C. In the meantime, H.C.M.C. is a county hospital, and we have a couple of programs that provide emergency assistance to patients. I've taken the liberty of arranging for some emergency food stamps and emergency cash. This will help get you home as well as get you some much-needed food. I can only lead you to it, though. You have to do the rest."
I nod. "Thank you."
"You need to take care of you. And that beautiful baby you're carrying." She closes the binder and stands up. "Believe me when I tell you, pride can be a royal pain in the ass. Sometimes you have to let it go."
"I'm trying, but it's hard."
"I know, and I understand. But think about this: If you can take what I've arranged for you, maybe you can consider whatever it is that Mikah’s trying to offer you. I can almost guarantee there are no strings attached. He’s not that kind of man."
I take a deep breath, trying to wash away all the thoughts of strings attached. "I will try," I say, quiet as a mouse. I’m tempted to explain to her my hesitation at accepting his help, but the wounds are deep and it would take more than one friendly conversation to want to share them.
She comes to sit at the foot of the bed, looking at me. "I've arranged for you to be discharged as soon as you're ready to go. On one condition?"
Oh great. "What condition?"
"That you stay at least until tomorrow morning. I’d like you to stay, get some dinner and eat some more in the morning. It’s getting late and I know how difficult it would be to get something to eat where you live. So please, stay tonight. Have dinner, then breakfast, and whatever else you want in between now and then. Then go home. The nurse on duty in the morning can arrange a cab to come and pick you up. Or she can call Mr. Blake for you. Either way, get yourself to a store and buy some groceries. I've included a diet to help with the malnutrition and bring you back up to normal."
I try to remind myself that she is helping and not patronizing me or my abilities to take care of myself. "Thank you. For everything."
"It's my job," she states without any hint of irritation.
"Helping a girl like me medically is a part of your job, but not like this. So thank you."
"My pleasure, Vivienne." She turns to leave. "Oh" — spinning back around to look at me — "I almost forgot. As I am now your doctor, I've made an appointment for two weeks from today – Friday at nine forty-five – here at the hospital. I have a private practice space on the 3rd floor. I want to meet with you to see how things are going. After that, we will meet about every four weeks
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