Tales From the Southern Hotel by Stephanie N. Macomber

Author:Stephanie N. Macomber [Macomber, Stephanie N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction
Publisher: Crossroad Press

Rediscovering Mary Lou’s Gift

"Somebody, call a doctor, please!" Mrs. Peters yelled. She knelt by Mary Lou, unconscious on the hot sidewalk.

It was the middle of June, and the temperature outside was abnormally high. Mary Lou had gone out to run errands for her parents. Hours passed without Mary Lou’s return. Mama figured that Mary Lou had been gone too long.

"John, it’s been hours since she left. I’m getting worried," Mrs. Peters said.

He was wearing an old white T-shirt and overalls, working on the toilet in one of the hotel rooms. "I’ve lost track of time trying to repair this toilet— been longer than I thought since she left. I’ll find her and see what’s taking her so long, as soon as I clean up."

"No, I’ll go. You finish up here and I’ll be back in less than an hour," she said, and then left.

She found her daughter passed out in front of the hardware store with mail, shopping lists, and various shopping bags around her. The town had few people on the sidewalks this evening.

The owner of the hardware store ran out after calling the doctor. "Someone came running in telling me she was here on the sidewalk, apparently for awhile now. Not been very busy today. I just finished calling the doctor. Mrs. Peters, you can’t possibly carry her home. Here, take her things and I’ll carry Mary Lou." They walked to the hotel as fast as they could.

Papa came downstairs after finishing the toilet repairs and saw the hardware store owner carrying Mary Lou. He took his glasses off and ran toward the doors. "What happened to her?" he cried.

"The doctor’s coming in a few minutes. Let’s put her in bed," Mrs. Peters said. "I’ll tell you what I know on the way."

Mr. and Mrs. Peters thanked the man and took Mary Lou up to her parents’ suite.

Mama took Mary Lou’s shoes and socks off. Her forehead was burning with fever and her mouth was dry.

The doctor came and knew exactly what had happened.

"She has been outside in the heat too long and has heat stroke. Her fever is too high and she’s very dehydrated. If we don’t get her to the hospital now and lower her fever, she’s going to be in a coma." The doctor pulled the thermometer out of her mouth. "104.9— I’ll call an ambulance."

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