High Anxiety (7 page)

“You have a state-of-the-art security system,” I said.

“That’s not good enough under the circumstances,” she said.

I sat next to her. “Listen, Mona,” I said gently. “It’s not as bad as you think. It’s just a little rash.”

“Stop trying to make me feel better, Kate,” she said, growing teary-eyed. I have to deal with the reality of the situation.” She punched in a number. “Jimbo, call me,” she said. “It’s urgent.” She hung up.

“Would you like for me to stay with you tonight?” I asked.

“I don’t want to be a burden. Besides, you can’t leave poor Mike alone.”

“I need to run home and grab clothes for tomorrow. I’ll bring her back with me. The traffic shouldn’t be bad.”

“Thank you, Kate. I can’t bear going through this alone.”

“Have you eaten?” I asked. “I could make you a grilled cheese sandwich before I go. As you know, that’s my specialty.”

“I’m too upset to eat.”

“Why don’t you try to rest?” I said. I stood and grabbed a plush throw from the back of a chair. I waited until Mona kicked off her shoes and lay down, then I covered her. “I won’t be gone long.”

“Please hurry.”

I was on my way a few minutes later. I called my mother from my cell and told her I was spending the night at Mona’s.

“She is acting irrational,” my mother said. “You shouldn’t encourage her.”

One thing my mom never ran out of was free advice. “I want to be supportive,” I said, even though I knew my decision to stay with Mona was partly due to the guilt I felt about having dragged her with me to the anger management group. “I’m just calling to let you know how to reach me if you need to,” I added before we disconnected.

I arrived home, petted Mike, and checked my messages. Nothing from Jay, but Jeff had called to check on Mona. I dialed his number as I started upstairs.

“How bad is the rash?” he asked.

“It’s not bad at all, but you know how Mona is about her looks. I feel awful. It’s all my fault.”

“Why is it your fault?”

“The shooting incident was pretty scary.”

“Call me if I can help,” he said. “If she needs spaying, I’m her guy.”

I laughed. “You’re nuts, you know that?”

Once we hung up, I quickly packed what I would need in the way of makeup, toiletries, pajamas, and underwear. I grabbed a hanging outfit and matching shoes from the closet and headed downstairs with Mike on my heels. Once I carried everything to the car, I returned for Mike’s food, leash, and dog pillow. I helped her into the car, and we took off.

I arrived back at Mona’s house to find the outside ablaze with security lights. Nevertheless, Jimbo shined a flashlight on me as I stepped from my car.

“Just wanted to make sure it’s you,” he said, turning off the light. “I have orders to keep everyone away.”

I noticed he was dressed in black. He even wore a black knit cap. “Yes, I know,” I said. Mike jumped out, and I reached for my bag and hanging clothes.

“I thought a password would be appropriate,” he went on. “From now on, nobody comes near the house without it. I’m sorry that I’m going to have to include you.”

Jimbo was not especially bright, but he was devoted to Mona. I closed my car door. “What’s the password?”

Jimbo looked about. He stepped closer. “When I say, ‘Who goes there?’ you’re supposed to say, ‘Gee, it looks like we might have rain,’ ” he whispered.

“I can remember that.”

He skulked off into the night.

Despite the high level of security that was supposed to be in place, Mona’s front door was unlocked. I stepped inside and found her sleeping on the sofa. I carried Mike’s and my things upstairs to the guest room I’d used before, then hurried down to see if there was something I could do for the patient. I found her sitting up.

“How’s the itch?”

She yawned. “Not so bad. But the medicine makes me sleepy and thirsty.”

“What would you like to drink?”

“Bottled water is fine.”

I went into her kitchen. It looked like something Martha Stewart or Julia Child would have designed, with its solid maple cabinetry, granite countertops, and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances. I opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. I turned and found Mona standing just inside, petting Mike. I opened the water and handed it to her.

“Thanks.” She took a long drink.

“You should probably eat something,” I said.

“I’m too tired. I just want to go to bed. Maybe I’ll wake up in the morning and find this was just a nightmare.”

She finished her water and dropped the container into a recycling bin. “Do you need to go back outside for anything?”

“I have to take Mike out once more before turning in.”

“You know the code to punch in for the security system, right?”

I nodded. I’d learned how to operate it when I’d stayed with Mona after leaving Jay. “I’ll see to everything before I come up.”

“Well, good night.” She started for the door.

“Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Kate.” She left the room.

I grabbed a plastic bag and led Mike outside. She spent fifteen minutes sniffing Mona’s backyard as I followed. She was in the process of doing her business when a male voice spoke, almost causing my heart to stop.

“Who goes there?” Jimbo stepped out of the shadows.

Mike growled and stopped what she was doing. “Dammit, Jimbo!” I said. “You scared the hell out of me.”

“Who goes there?” he repeated.

I tried to remember the stupid password. Something about the weather, I thought. “It looks like it might rain,” I said, not bothering to hide my irritation. Mike was going to have to sniff the whole backyard again before she was able to perform.

Jimbo gave a nod and, once again, slipped into the shadows.

Mike finally made her deposit beside a hedge. I gathered it in the plastic bag, tied it securely, and tossed it into a trash can.

Inside, I checked all the doors and punched in the security code. I set up the coffeemaker, turned off the lights, and went upstairs with Mike following.

Despite being so tired, I took a long, hot shower. Mona’s bathrooms were spalike, with specialty shampoos and soaps, body lotions, and fluffy towels the size of bedsheets. I would have died for such a bathroom.

I wrapped a towel around myself, sarong-style, and went into the guest bedroom, where Mike was already curled on her pillow, snoring. Mona had only recently completed redecorating the bedrooms, and the white, Canadian goose-down mattress covers and comforters she’d purchased for each room were as opulent as anything one might find in a grand hotel. I slipped into my pajamas, put my cell on its charger, and set the alarm clock. Finally, I turned off the lamp and climbed into bed.

I sighed with pleasure as I sank into what felt like a cloud. I was certain I would conk out right away, but it didn’t happen. I thought of Jay and hoped he was okay. I’d forgotten to watch the news to see if there had been any progress with the fire. I sent up a prayer and finally drifted off to sleep.

I was awakened some time later by a shriek. I bolted from the bed, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. Mike growled, and I hushed her. Fear seized me. Was there an intruder in the house? Had I punched in the wrong security code? Had I forgotten to make certain the system was armed before I walked away?

Another shriek. I groped for the phone and quickly dialed 911. The dispatcher promised to send a patrol car immediately. I dropped the phone on the bed and tried to think of what I could use as a weapon. I remembered the tall, decorative vase on the dresser.

I wasted no time crossing the room, trying to be as quiet as I could. I grabbed the vase, surprised by how heavy it was, and turned for the door. I took great care opening it as soundlessly as possible, then headed down the dark hall with Mike beside me.

I tried to get my bearings, but I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I didn’t dare turn on the light and alert the possible intruder that there was someone else in the house. I gripped the vase, ready to swing it as hard as I could the minute I got close enough.

I didn’t see the figure headed my way until I slammed right into it.

I don’t know who screamed the loudest, Mona or me. I dropped the vase, and it hit my big toe. Surprisingly, the vase didn’t break, but I was pretty sure my toe was broken. I bit my bottom lip to keep from howling. Instead, I whimpered.

The light came on. “What are you doing?” Mona demanded. “And why is my vase on the floor?”

I looked down to see if my toe was still attached to my foot. I leaned down and touched it gently. “I heard you scream,” I said, blinking back tears of pain. “I thought somebody was in the house. I was going to hit him with the vase.”

“I had a nightmare,” she said. “I must’ve cried out, because I woke up. Then I couldn’t go back to sleep because I was itching. I went into the bathroom to take my medicine, and on my way out, I accidentally saw my face in a magnifying mirror. You’d scream, too, if you’d seen what I saw.”

I looked up at her. I didn’t notice any changes.

“You need to calm down, Mona. Stress is only going to make your hives worse.”

“Calm down?! Did you say calm down? I dreamed I had leprosy, for Pete’s sake! What if that’s a sign of things to come?”

“You don’t have leprosy,” I said, trying to be patient with her. I checked my wristwatch. Five thirty a.m. I was still tired, but nothing short of a morphine drip would have eased my pain enough to fall asleep, plus, I was too shaken to think of going back to bed. I picked up the vase, turned, and headed toward the guest room.

“What’s wrong with your foot?” she asked.

“I dropped the vase on my toe.”

“Does it hurt?”

“What do
you
think?”

I returned the vase to the dresser and headed downstairs to grab a couple of Tylenol. Mona followed. In the kitchen, I took a closer look at my toe. It was red, but fortunately, I was able to move it.

“You should put ice on it,” Mona said.

I opened my mouth to answer when I heard a vehicle outside. I glanced out the window and saw a patrol car pull into her circular drive. “Uh-oh,” I said.

“What are the police doing here?” Mona asked.

“Um.”

“You called them?”

“I thought you were being murdered in your bed!”

“I’ve already explained what happened,” she said.

“How was I to know?”

“Oh, hell!” Mona said. “My shawl is upstairs. I need something to cover my face.” She looked about frantically before hurrying to the breakfast table, where she whipped off the tablecloth and covered herself.

We heard a shout from outside, and we both jumped at the same time.

“What was that?” Mona said.

“I have no idea.”

We peered out the window over the sink, but couldn’t see anything. After what seemed like forever, the doorbell rang.

Limping, I followed Mona to the front door, where she checked the peephole before punching numbers into the alarm panel. She opened the door. Two policemen stood on the other side. Beside them, Jimbo was cuffed.

“We found your intruder,” the older of the two officers said. “He was hiding in the hedges.”

“He’s not an intruder!” Mona cried. “He works for me.”

Jimbo gave the officers a smug look. “See? I told you.”

The policemen looked confused. “Why were you hiding?” the younger officer asked.

“I was performing security checks,” he said. “Now, if you would kindly remove these handcuffs, I can go back to doing my job.”

“I’m the one who called,” I said as the officer freed Jimbo. “I thought I heard someone in the house. I’m so sorry I bothered you.” They were staring at Mona, as though unsure what to make of her shroud.

“Who owns this place?” the other policeman asked.

Mona raised her hand. “I do. My name is Mona Epps. This is Dr. Kate Holly. She’s taking care of me while I’m ill.” Her words were muffled by the linen tablecloth. “Thank you for coming, but as you can see, everything is fine.”

They insisted on taking a report; fortunately, it was quick. They said good-bye, and Jimbo returned to his patrol duties. Mona closed the door. She yawned widely. “I’m going back to bed. I’m sorry I can’t work today. Even if I didn’t look like I’d just slithered out of some swamp, I can barely keep my eyes open because of the medication.”

I noticed Mike standing at the back door. Obviously, she had to do her business. I gave a sigh, grabbed her leash, and led her out, still favoring my toe. I was relieved not to run into Jimbo, because my mood had definitely soured. After sniffing every tree, hedge, and flower, Mike squatted. When we reentered the kitchen, I saw that the automatic coffeemaker had come on, and the pot was almost full. I took two Tylenol, poured a cup of coffee, and sat at the kitchen table. I drank three cups before heading upstairs to get ready for the day.

I checked on Mona, who was sleeping soundly, thanks to good drugs. She looked quite regal tucked beneath her stark white comforter, which contrasted nicely with walls that were a soft powdery blue. The decorator had outdone herself and chosen only the highest quality of everything.

I slipped from the room, praying that Mona’s rash would be gone when she awoke but knowing it wasn’t likely.

 

 

I arrived at
my office shortly before my first appointment was due in. I put on a pot of coffee—I really love the stuff—and checked my messages. Nothing from Jay. I began to fret. I counted the pens in my coffee mug. An even number. Good. I returned a call from a patient who sounded anxious.

Then I went into my kitchenette and poured my coffee. I heard the door to the reception room open and hurried down the hall to greet my first patient of the day. I stopped short at the sight of my mother standing beside Mona’s desk.