Dr. Wall took Shelly in his arms. She didn’t resist but kept her eyes on her mother. The smell and strangeness of the place, her mother’s tears, the big man who insisted on holding her frightened her all the more.
“Well, then, let’s see if we can make you better, young lady.” He carried her down the hall. Her mom tried to keep pace alongside.
“I’m new to this area,” said Dr. Wall. “Something made me come to this hospital. It’s a special place. I like its mission. I like what they do. And it’s not just kids with cancer, we work with all children.”
“We were told this was the best place to go. We’re hoping you
can do something for Shelly.”
Dr. Wall arrived at the nurses’ station cradling Shelly.
“I have a young lady who needs assistance here. Could we have a check-up for Miss Shelly, please?” He smiled and lowered Shelly into a gleaming silver wheelchair that smelled like plastic. “I’ll leave you here with these fine folks, but don’t get too comfortable, because I want you running out of here soon. You understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Shelly fidgeted in the wheelchair, trying to find a comfortable position. A pulse of pain ratcheted through her chest. She winced and sighed, wondering what was going to happen next. Suddenly, she felt faint. Maybe she was about to throw up.
“Thank you,” her mom said as the doctor left down an opposite
hallway. She caressed Shelly’s sweat-dampened hair.
A nurse leaned over the counter. “Shelly, I’m Doris Powers. Do
you have a last name, Shelly?” “Yes. White.”
“Hi, I’m Carol White, Shelly’s mother.”
“Nice to meet you. Now, what seems to be the problem?” “Well, Shelly was a normal little girl, ,” Carol said. “Then, one
day in the backyard, she became too weak to play with her friends. Over the next few days, her skin began to change color, and I had no idea what to do. I’m afraid our insurance isn’t very good.”
“Don’t worry about the money, Mrs. White. Let’s just take care of Shelly. Sound good?”
Carol’s eyes welled up with tears. She turned away from the counter, crouched down, and kissed Shelly on the forehead. Shelly looked up at her mother.
“Don’t cry, Mom. It’ll be okay.”
Shelly hoped that was true.