Page 12 of Sinner's Storm
“Any blood work?”
“No, sir.”
“Dr. Lansing will suffice, Ms. Campbell,” he muttered as he went back to her chart.
“Helen, can you please page Dr. Jackson for me, and then call up to Peds and see if Marco is working tonight? If he is, have him come down here. He’s the best phlebotomist we have.”
“Right away, Doctor.”
“Are you Dr. August Lansing?”
The older man looked up and nodded. “Yes.”
“My friend, Finley James, gave me your card. Told me to call you on Monday.”
The older man smirked. “And how is Finley doing? I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Still ornery as ever.”
He chuckled as a beautiful blonde woman walked over. “What’s up, August?”
“Hey, Tess. Look at this and tell me what you think?” he said, handing the new doctor Harlow’s chart, getting to his feet, reaching for his stethoscope. Sitting on the edge of the bed, August looked at my daughter and smiled. “Hello, Harlow. My name is August. Your mommy tells me that you are not feeling good.”
“My tummy hurts.”
“I know.” August sighed. “Can I listen to your tummy?”
“Will it hurt?”
“Not even a twinge. I promise.”
Harlow looked up at me, before scooting out of my lap and sitting between me and Dr. Lansing.
“That is one special teddy you have there. Does he have a name?”
“Stormy.”
Dr. Lansing grinned. “That’s a great name for a biker teddy bear. Does Stormy ride a motorcycle, too?”
Harlow giggled. “No. He’s just my teddy.”
“Can you keep a secret, Harlow?”
My daughter nodded.
“I ride a motorcycle.”
“Ms. Campbell, I’m Dr. Tessa Jackson. What is the length between illnesses?”
“About two to three months,” I answered while Dr. Lansing listened to Harlow’s stomach. “Everything started when she was two months old.”
“What changed when she was two months old?”
“I was breast feeding Harlow when my milk dried up. I didn’t have a choice and had to switch her to formula. She hated it. She threw it up. It took me weeks to find a formula she could keep down.”
“Did her pediatrician give her vitamin drops to supplement what she was missing from breast milk?”
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head.