Page 46 of Tiffanie

“Cases like this can be puzzling. Her blood sugar was below normal when she arrived. Not so critically low that would cause her unconsciousness, but dipping enough that the level could prolong whatever is happening here. She also is anemic. Her oncologist noted that and a vitamin B deficiency—nothing so urgent they needed to address or treat it instantly.”

The doctor stopped and checked the screen that showed her heart rate and oxygen level. “Her heart is strong, but her blood pressure is struggling as well. She’s definitely dehydrated. Problems after a scan concern us because difficulties can arise from kidney problems after the dye or even an allergic reaction.”

“But you don’t believe any of those are to blame,” Ivan guessed from the doctor’s report.

“I actually think this was triggered by everything. This avalanche of possible concerns that hit together following a course of chemo, even though those meds stopped a month ago, could provoke this. Think of this unconsciousness like Tiffanie’s body and mind forcing her to slow down and heal.”

“So, what can be done?” Phineas asked. Guilt flooded his mind. Had he caused this by making love to Tiffanie last night?

“We’re doing it. She’s getting fluids to address her dehydration and to flush out any toxins from her kidneys, which show no adverse reactions, and vitamins, iron, and glucose. We’ll monitor her closely, but my guess is she’ll wake up in a few hours, feeling better than she has for months. This was a dramatic way to get help, but an effective one.”

“You don’t suspect she did this on purpose…” Ivan said, bristling.

“Not at all. The human body is an incredible machine. She’s not in control right now. We need to fix her ride,” the doctor said, putting that last word in air quotes, “so she can take over and drive her body again.”

“Thank you for helping her. She’s incredibly important to many people.”

“I can’t wait to meet her. Michelle, her nurse, will be in and out to check on her and monitor her blood sugar. She’ll alert me immediately if Tiffanie’s status changes.”

“Can we both stay with her?” Ivan asked.

“Of course. We need information from the two of you,” the doctor said, setting Phineas’s mind at ease. Wild horses couldn’t have pulled him back to the waiting room.

Phineas followed the doctor out of the room. “I have to check, Doctor. Could intimate activity have caused this?”

“Like vigorous sex?” the doctor asked bluntly.

“Yes.”

“Not a chance. Unless you were in a sauna for two hours going at it, you didn’t cause this,” he assured Phineas. “From today on, start her on a regular dose of electrolytes. If she sweats, give her a small glass to revitalize her afterward.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Relieved, Phineas headed to Tiffanie’s side.

“Everything alright?” Ivan asked.

“Yes. Sorry, I needed to ask something personal.”

“You didn’t hurt her. She was floating on air all morning. I’ve never seen her happier.”

Phineas nodded. Ivan’s words reassured him a lot. Her brother knew her better than anyone else.

“It kills me to see her so still.” Tears flooded his eyes. Phineas didn’t give a rat’s ass about having another person witness his emotional response to the precious woman who appeared so pale in the hospital bed. The beeping of the machines underlined the seriousness of her collapse.

Ivan’s powerful hand wrapped around Phineas’s shoulder and squeezed firmly. “You heard the doctor. She’s stable. I’m surprised she didn’t need help before now. Perhaps she knows deep inside you’re here to make sure she’s okay.”

“She means the world to me, Ivan.”

“And that’s exactly what you’re going to give her. She needs to rest and rebuild so you two can enjoy the life you’re building together. If I’m lucky, I’ll find my own Little girl. I’ll admit, seeing the two of you has pushed me to focus on filling that empty space in my world.”

Phineas lifted his chin in acknowledgement of the personal information. He could see Ivan preferring that role in a relationship. He was calm, quiet, and powerful. A Daddy a Little girl could rely on and trust.

“Did you know?” he asked, nodding at Tiffanie.

“Not a topic a brother and sister usually discuss. But yeah, I suspected. A look at the books you selected for her confirmed my guess. She told me a reader at the library had checked one out so many times the novel was falling apart. I don’t suppose you’d share that person’s name?”

“Sorry. Just like doctors protect health information, librarians are sworn to secrecy,” Phineas said, smiling for the first time since arriving at the hospital.

“Please tell me she’s not eighty.”