An Agent For Judith by Caroline Clemmons

Author:Caroline Clemmons [Clemmons, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Judith helped Abigail walk into the doctor’s office. Peyton was on her other side after first checking to be certain the doctor was available.

Dr. Greer held open the door for them. “Right in here. We’ll have you calm in no time. Get on that table.”

Mama sobbed convincingly. “I don’t need to sit on any table. I need to see my boy.” She cried into her handkerchief.

Judith held an arm around Abigail’s shoulders. “Please, Mama, let the doctor talk to you and examine you.”

Peyton lifted her onto the examination table. “There, Mama, now I’ll step into the next room so the doctor can examine you.”

In tears, Mama yelled, “I don’t need to be examined. I’m not sick. I need to see my son and I need to see him now.”

The doctor exchanged a meaningful look with Judith. “I understand, Mrs. Davis. Your son-in-law explained the situation. This trip has been difficult and you must be exhausted.”

“Oh, I am, I am.” She sniffed and gestured to Judith. “I am blessed that my daughter and her husband are so good to take care of me.”

Her brief speech appeared to bring on another round of sobbing. “They made certain there’s a bed for me in my wagon, but it’s always moving. The road is bumpy and the wagon bounces and sways. All the time I’m worried about my boy and I’m swaying and swaying.”

As if to emphasize her words, she swayed from side to side.

“We’ll have you feeling better in no time.” Dr. Greer checked Mama’s pulse then listened to her chest with a decades-old stethoscope that couldn’t have helped much. He asked her questions which she answered through sobs.

The doctor opened a glass fronted cabinet and removed a couple of bottles. He turned and spoke to Judith. “I suggest you convince Mrs. Davis to remain in town for at least two or three days.”

Judith adopted a worried look, easy under the circumstances. “She’s so worried. Won’t delay make her worse?”

“I’m giving her a nerve tonic and laudanum to insure she rests. You tell Mrs. Ramirez at the boardinghouse that I sent you. I believe she has vacancies.”

“Are you ready for me to get my husband back in here?”

“Yes, take your mother across the street to the large two story frame house. I think she will be fine when she’s had a few days of quiet rest. Women of her age are prone to hysteria.” The doctor had his back to Mama. If he’d seen the look she gave him, he would have run.

Judith experienced a weird mix of emotions. She was angry at the doctor for assuming brave and strong Mama was suffering from a general diagnosis like hysteria. She reminded herself that was what they’d hoped. At the same time she wanted to laugh at the look Mama had given the doctor. Combining with these sensations was fear for her brother that gnawed at her insides. Heavens, she was a mess of nerves herself.

Once they’d crossed to the boardinghouse Mrs. Ramirez introduced herself as the owner and seemed kind.

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