Hurricane Nurse by Joan Sargent

Author:Joan Sargent
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: romance
Publisher: Avalon Books
Published: 1962-02-08T03:36:54+00:00

Chapter X

Donna was in the halls again, going from room to room, checking to see how all the school's registered guests fared. Primary-aged children were playing tag, and she found it difficult to make her way through. Mary Hendley, at one far end of the building, had gathered the smaller children on the steps to the second floor and was telling the story of Chicken Little. Donna waved gaily to her and went on without interrupting.

She found one small six-month-old who whimpered continually in his mother's arms. Mrs. Frailey was perhaps thirty-five and looked ten years older. She looked up with an unwelcoming scowl when Donna knocked and, in answer to the other's surly, "Come in," entered.

"You're that nurse that's always sending home notes about the kids having their shots, or needing glasses, or something," she said by way of greeting.

Donna was taken aback by this show of displeasure on the part of one of the school's patrons, but she managed a firm smile and said, "I'm sure you are as anxious to have your children well as I am. You're Mrs. Frailey, aren't you? I remember I registered you and your family yesterday."

The woman ignored the reference to her name and her family. "I had me nine kids, seven of 'em livin', an' I reckon I don't need no snip of a girl tellin' me what to do with my own young'uns," she said sulkily.

"I'm sure you don't. But I heard the baby fretting, and I thought you must be tired. You can't have slept very well on that quilt last night. Can't I take the baby a while and let you rest?"

Mrs. Frailey studied her for a moment as if she were trying to find some ulterior motive for the offer. Then her face softened and she tucked back a fallen lock of hair and held the baby out. "He's wet. Ever notice how a boy wets more'n a girl? Always wet, that one. An' I just changed him." She sighed deeply.

Donna cuddled the little boy to her shoulder, where he dug in sharp knees and went on with his unhappy wail. "If you have a dry diaper, I'll change him," she offered.

Mrs. Frailey shook her unkempt head. "He's wet ever' one. I woulda washed 'em out only, rainin' like it is, they wouldn't adried."

"No, I guess not," Donna admitted. "Maybe I can find a towel in my office that will do. I really do know how to take care of babies, Mrs. Frailey, even if I haven't had any of my own. There were hundreds at the hospital where I trained."

The same lock of hair had fallen across Mrs. Frailey's cheek once more, and once more she tucked it in. "Ain't the same as havin' seven underfoot all the time," she commented.

Donna felt more at ease now. Her smile seemed a normal part of her face. "No, I suppose not. I'll bring— What's his name?"

"Joey," Mrs. Frailey told her.

"I'll bring Joey back after a while. You get a nap, if you can.

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