The house was empty. No sign of Rani or Moira. Couldn't ask them anything.
“Don't be silly, what would they know anyway?”
went through her head.
“What has happened? Dear God, let it not be a road accident. Too young, too beautiful. I can't stand this,”
all milled about in her brain. With shaking fingers she dialled Guelph.
“Someone pick up the phone,”
her mind screamed.
âI'd like to speak to Sidonie Henderson.' She tried to keep the quaver out of her voice.
âHold on,' came the response.
At last. She began to let her breath go. Then an authoritative female voice: âWho is this?'
âTenille Fenech. I want to speak to Sidonie Henderson.' Panic rising again.
âAh, good.'
“What is this?”
she thought.
âWe have been trying to reach you. You share accommodation with Miss Henderson, in Toronto?'
“I suppose you could put it like that,”
Ten said to herself impatiently. To the woman. âYes.'
âMiss Henderson has cited you on her registration form as the person to be notified in case of emergency, etcetera.'
âWhat do you mean âemergency'?' she exclaimed. Then her lips tightened as she asked, through clenched teeth: âWhat has happened?' “
And what is âetc.',”
she thought as her mind buzzed around horrendous speculations. She had ruled out a car accident when she had gotten through to the University, now it was back. It could have happened while she was still in the city and not on the highway. âIs it a car accident?' Her voice was shaking so much the woman could barely make out the words.
âNo, nothing like that.' The superior voice sounded patronizing, as though she were being silly. âSome sort of bug has hit the residence, causing the girls to come down with a high temperature and a fever. Everything is under control. They're in the infirmary, over at Macdonald Hall and we have been doing our best to contact next of kin, etcetera.'
“That word again ⦠meaningless. At least it's not an accident, but this other doesn't sound good,”
her brain whirled on.
âWe know some of them who don't live too far away were going home for the week end, but of course, this is out of the question now. Miss Henderson wanted us to inform you.'
“Miss Henderson. She makes Sid sound so impersonal.”
Ten was upset and relieved at the same time.
âOur physician is in attendance and Matron has twenty-four hour nursing care available. There is no need for concern. Just the girls must rest.'
âWhat is this bug and how serious is it? Will there be physical repercussions?' Her questions came shakily, the mental anguish leaving her very much in the dark and she didn't like it.
âWe don't know what it is yet, we're still awaiting the lab. report.'
âCan I speak to her?' Her fears were not allayed. Her mind was still reeling with disbelief.
âOut of the question,' the voice responded brusquely.
Ten was getting impatient now.
“What an officious woman.”
âCall again tomorrow. I'll give you the number of the infirmary and you can check with Matron.' Suddenly the woman, who was in fact Head Resident, assumed human guise. âDon't worry my dear, everything is well in hand, I assure you.'
She hung up. The reassurance hadn't convinced her, but at least her darling Sid wasn't at death's door. With this she would have to be content.
Too unsettled now, not even TV could provide distraction. She made herself prepare something to eat, but every swallow was with difficulty. In the end she sat on the phone some more. First with Thea, then later in the evening she got through to Devon.
âListen Tenille. I'm all booked up with Gene this weekend, but how about we plan something for Monday night? Maybe take in a movie or something. It's no good you moping about the apartment. It won't get Sidonie better quicker,' she reasoned.
âYou're right, I know. I'll be going over to some friend's â¦' this was Reine and Thea's, â â¦for dinner tomorrow and then I'll have you to look forward to Monday.'
Devon liked the sound of this sentiment.
âEveryone is being just terrific. Thanks, Dev.' She appreciated all the support she was getting.
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
Before work she spoke to Matron at Macdonald Hall, but she wouldn't disturb Sidonie. âShe's still sleeping and rest is the best healer at this time. You can try again later, if you like.'
Home at last after a so-so day, Ten dialled the Residence. She had made herself coffee and carried the phone through to the dining table.
Matron wheeled the phone over to the bed, but before relinquishing it told Tenille not to talk for too long. Again: âMiss Henderson needs her rest.'
âHi, darling. How are you feeling?'
âHidy.' Sid's voice wavered down the line. She sounded awfully weak. âIt's so good to be in touch with you at last. I was so worried about you waiting for me to turn up yesterday and my not being there. But they wouldn't let me phone and in the end, when I became agitated, they sedated me. How are you?' Ten could hear that talking had been an effort. Her voice was quiet and she sounded breathless.
âNow don't you worry about me, Honey. I'm fine. Just you rest and get better. This bug that's hit you, do you know yet what it is?' She was scared it was one of these mutants that could affect several of the body's systems and leave permanent damage. She remembered the movie, âAwakenings'.
âNo, I don't know what it is, but I have been assured that I should be back on my feet by Monday, which is a relief, since I don't want to start off by missing classes. It's like a severe influenza, I think. Really knocks you back, but so long as your body doesn't give in, you can fight it off.' Again Sid's voice went very quiet, her energies evaporating fast.
âI'll let you go now, Dearest.' She was concerned not to over tax her at this time. âI love you darling. I miss you. Get better real soon.'
âSorry for all the bother I've caused you, Ten.' She was fading.
âDon't be silly, love. Don't talk like that. It wasn't anything you could help. You just save your strength for getting well.'
âI won't see you 'til next Friday now,' she continued to worry. âI should be AI by then so I'll pick you up as planned for yesterday.' She was very out of breath now.
âSid, you must rest, darling. Yes, we'll do everything as we planned before. Just take it easy. I love you, Sweetheart.'
âOnce I'm up, I'll phone. I love you, too.'
âBye, my love.'
âBye dearest.' Sid hung up and collapsed back against the pillows, totally spent. She sure hoped she'd be feeling a lot better than this, come Monday.
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
The next day actually saw a rapid improvement in her health, Sid being one of the first to show a fall in temperature. The doctor reckoned this was probably due to excellent conditioning before the viral attack. Sunday they let her up for short periods. It felt good to be on her feet and she was allowed to return to her quarters Sunday night, with a promise of early to bed. The Head Resident looked in on her at nine o'clock just to check.
Veterinary Anatomy was the first class and she went off to the lecture auditorium feeling not too bad. The size of her year was surprising and included a fair percentage of women. About 60/40, the balance in the males' favor. After the introductory lecture they all trooped down to the dissecting labs. She was assigned to work with a young man named Brian. He was sandy haired and freckled-faced, with an easy, open smile. On the other side of the table the partnership was between Abdul who was dark and of medium height and Ilona who was so totally different. Tall, fair skinned with long blond hair and, from what Sid could judge under the lab coat, quite curvaceous
. “Mm..m, things are looking up,”
she thought.
In fact, they were not looking up at all. Half way through the session, overcome by formaldehyde fumes, her eyes began to water and she experienced breathlessness. Unable to see to use the scalpel, in the end Sid had to excuse herself.
“Gee, I hope I get over this,”
she thought. When she voiced her concerns to the Head Resident, she was of the opinion that her recent bout of infection had left her still too weak and vulnerable.
âLie down for the rest of the morning, Sidonie, then you'll be feeling better for your afternoon classes.' Taking this advice to heart, after lunch she did indeed feel much better, but regretted the time lost. Now she would have to make up on the introductory session on Epidemiology. Perhaps Ilona, would let her borrow her notes?
Classes that afternoon were the first of the Neurosciences and Production Genetics, neither of which involved lab. work. It was a relief when the day ended, having taken its toll of her stamina and still a heavy reading load, in preparation for tomorrow, lay ahead. The plan had been to phone late, making the most of cheap rates, but even now it was hard keeping her eyes open. The call to Toronto would have to be an early one.
The phone rang and rang. She was about to give up when the receiver was picked up and a strange voice answered. Surprised, she asked to speak to Ten. âSorry, she's tied up right now, can I take a message?'
“Hell's teeth, what is this? And who is this?”
She was very annoyed. âWhat do you mean by âtied up'?'
âWell, she's in the washroom. Who would like to speak to her? Can I take a message?'
Sid thought it over. What did she want to do? She frowned and her mouth set in a way her mother would have recognized as extreme anger.
âTell her Sidonie phoned. I'll call again another time.' She hung up somewhat abruptly, trying to curb her impatient annoyance, but at the same time feeling most aggrieved. Being at University was proving so unsatisfactory. Although beginning to hate this state of affairs, there was still nothing she could do. For now she had to get her head down, tomorrow would be an even more demanding day than the one she'd just lived through. Her worries were piling up.
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
âDid I hear the phone, Devon?' They had decided to catch the early show at the Carlton movie complex. Barishnikov and Hines in, âWHITE KNIGHTS'. They'd both enjoyed the dancing, but found the storyline weak. Devon had suggested going somewhere afterwards, but Ten wanted to be home for Sid's call. She thought she'd probably wait 'til after ten, knowing her economical ways, but she couldn't relax away from the telephone. She had preferred to cook them something, anyway.
Devon had driven back to the apartment and they'd just gotten in when Ten had taken off to the washroom, in a great hurry. Then the phone. She had been going to leave it, but its persistence had persuaded her to pick it up.
âYes, it was Sidonie. She said she'd call again.'
âDamn. I missed her.' She was disappointed, but not unduly concerned. She would call back. At this stage, Ten was in ignorance of Sid's level of annoyance.
She made them both a light supper of baked cauliflower and cheese sauce and Devon did a good job of helping her pass the time. Nonetheless, she kept wondering when Sid would phone. In the end Devon decided she'd better go and leave her to finish up her evening waiting for the call. It was obvious she was too agitated by this, to have time for her. She would have her undivided attention on their next meeting. She would make certain of that.
The call never came. Ten got ready for bed wondering if she should phone herself. But it was after ten o'clock now; there'd be no one in the office. Everything would get sorted out tomorrow, she was sure.
Next evening the work flowed smoothly at the Counselling Centre and when it came time to call it a wrap, Lyndall sauntered over with the offer of a lift. She hoped, as Tenille accepted, that this could get to be a routine. They chatted companionably and Lyndall was able to learn a little more of her background. She was interested that she had given thought to returning to nursing studies. This could be a step in the right direction for her, she speculated.
âI had considered nursing when I first started out, but my parents suggested medicine,' Lyndall confided. âThey felt that often girls set their sights too low, when really they are capable of more. I was encouraged to take up the challenge.'
âDo you have brothers and sisters?'
âNo siblings. I came to my parents rather late in their lives, so they did tend to dote on me.' Lyndall laughed. âSpoiled rotten, in other words.'
Ten laughed too. âI don't believe it.'
âWhat about you?'
Ten explained her situation with her parents and that at the moment the relationships were very much on the cool side. âNot between my dad and me,' she hastened to clarify. âHe's a sweetie, but my mother is more difficult. More demanding.'
Lyndall's professional interest was 'roused. She would look forward to exploring this further, but right now they were at the front door.
âCan I offer you a coffee?' Ten wanted to find some way of thanking Lyndall for her thoughtfulness. This ride sure made life easier.
She looked at her watch. âThat would be great.'
Lyndall didn't stay long she was pleased to note and it was just on ten o'clock when she made signs toward leaving. It was then the phone rang. At first she thought she could say her goodbyes and then answer it. However it became obvious she would have to pick it up, explain the situation and then come back.
âHi Sid. Can you hold a moment? I'll be right back.' She didn't wait for her to speak, but rushed out the kitchen to see Lyndall off.
âI can see myself out,' Lyndall asserted, trying to stop Ten coming to the car with her. âGo back to your call. I'll see you next week. Okay?' Ten nodded and smiled her thanks as she rushed as quickly as she could up the stairs.