Bill was heading out the door when his cell phone rang.
“Hi, Rachel. What’s up?”
“It’s Natalie. She fainted during cheerleader practice this morning.”
“Is she okay?” asked Bill, alarmed.
“She claims she’s fine. I took her to the nearest walk-in clinic anyway and the doctor saw us right away. The doctor thought she was tired, but because she fainted suggested we get her a full physical, bloodwork and an EEG to be on the safe side. Natalie’s home now, but I wanted to tell you that when I picked her up the girls said there was something weird about the way Natalie fainted.”
“Weird? Whaddya mean weird?” Bill felt his chest tighten up.
“The girls said her eyes rolled back in her head and it appeared looked like she was having some kind of convulsions.”
“Damn! What did Natalie say?”
“She says her stomach gets queasy sometimes, but she just thinks she’s pushing herself too hard. But I don’t like the feel of this.”
“I agree. Is there anything I can do?” asked Bill.
“Would you call her regular doctor? Maybe you can get her in faster than I can. I put her in bed and told her to get some rest, and I’ll check on her in a couple hours.”
“I’ll call Dr. Baker right now.”
“Thanks, Bill. I appreciate it.”
Rachel hung up and Bill frowned. What’s going on with that?
Natalie was always up early and late or staying over with friends, then would have to sleep the whole weekend to make up for it. Her grades held up, so they had gotten used to her routine but maybe it was time they had a real heart to heart conversation. Natalie would get upset but they needed to get to the bottom of this, and she needed to quit burning the candle at both ends.
Could it be drugs?
No way.
Natalie wouldn’t do that and besides, she didn’t have much unsupervised time.
Something’s just not right.
Bill dialed Dr. Baker’s office and quickly made an appointment, then texted the details to Rachel.
Bill glanced at his watch, grabbed his workout bag and crutches, and headed for the garage. Maneuvering through the door, his crutches banged into the doorjamb. After contorting himself so he could close the door, Bill bumped into the door again.
“Damn it!” he mumbled under his breath. Bill thought about smashing the aluminum struts but took a couple of deep breaths and got himself under control.
You’re just worried about Natalie and in a hurry. Chill out.
I’ll be glad when I don’t have to use these damn things anymore.
While driving, Bill let his mind wrestle with his problems. He would need to cut his workout short, since Fred Ramsey was going to stop by the apartment for a two o’clock appointment. Bill didn’t smile at the thought of an attorney making a house call, as he normally would. Fred was bringing the termination settlement papers for his contract with the Dodgers. That realization hit Bill hard; again. His shoulders slumped and he felt useless and washed up, letting his mind register the aches in his back and pain in his hip. It was still hard to believe that he wasn’t a Dodger anymore.
Bill blinked. He had driven several blocks without remembering having done so.
Forcing himself to breathe deeply he let the anger flow out of his body and his jaw.
This won’t be for long. I can talk Coach Jackson into a tryout if I can pitch.
Bill moved those thoughts to the back of his mind. Natalie would be just fine, but the worry was there. He would see what the doctor had to say. Then he and Megan were having dinner together.
Later today the sporting goods store was delivering his new solo-flex machine so he could spend extra time working on his arms and shoulders. That wasn’t going to be enough though. He needed to be throwing baseballs if he was going to have any shot at pitching in the spring.
I need to go where it’s warmer, and soon.