Free Midas Touch by Frankie J. Jones

frightening.
    Ida folded her arms. “No. You experienced a major anxiety attack.”
    Sandra almost cried with relief.
    “Don’t get excited too fast,” Ida scolded. “I don’t have the results from all the tests yet, but from what I’ve seen so far, you’re damn lucky it wasn’t your heart.”
    Sandra felt a moment of panic slice through her. The monitor began to beep loudly.
    Ida placed a hand on Sandra’s shoulder. “Relax. I don’t mean to frighten you, but it’s time you started thinking about your health. Take a deep breath.”
    Sandra did as she was told.
    “And another one,” Ida instructed.
    Sandra continued to breathe deeply until the monitor re-sumed its steady blip.
    “Now,” Ida said. “Let me explain what I suspect is going on, and then we can spend the rest of the day arguing about what you’re going to do about it.” She stopped for a moment and tapped her pen against Sandra’s chart. “This is a little unusual, but Allison Kramer is waiting outside and I’d like to call her in.”

    Sandra hesitated. She failed to see the need to discuss her medical condition with Allison, but Ida would never have asked without a good reason. Sandra felt a chill run over her body. “All right. If you think there’s a need.”
    Ida stepped to the door, and a moment later Allison came in.
    Her eyes and nose were red from crying.
    “How are you feeling?” she asked, placing her hand on Sandra’s arm.
    “Fine.” Sandra’s voice betrayed her fear.
    “Allison, I wanted you in here while I talked to Sandra because I think I’ll need your help to convince her of a few things.” Ida flipped open Sandra’s chart and thumbed through the pages.
    “Sandra, your blood pressure is unbelievably high. I imagine part of the problem is due to all the excitement, so I’m going to have it monitored closely.” She flipped to another page. “Your initial blood work shows me you’re not eating properly. Your cholesterol is up, you’re anemic, and you appear to be physically exhausted. This has been going on for more than a few days, hasn’t it?” She fixed Sandra with an accusatory glare.
    Sandra gave a guilty nod.
    “What about the heartburn? She eats antacids like candy,”
    Allison said.
    Sandra felt betrayed by Allison’s disclosures. She frowned to show her disapproval, but Allison ignored her.
    Ida moved to the side of the bed and studied the machines monitoring Sandra. “How often was the pain occurring?”
    “It’s not bad.”
    Ida’s stern glance stopped her. “Sandra, if you want to kill yourself, there are faster ways. Now, drop the martyr act and answer my questions.”
    Sandra blushed. Avoiding Ida’s eyes, she hesitantly disclosed her symptoms.
    Ida interrupted her several times to extract more details.
    When Sandra had told her everything, Ida turned to Allison.
    “The reason I called you in was to enlist your help in getting Sandra to take a vacation.”

    Allison stepped closer to the bed. “I think its a wonderful idea. We can handle things for a few days.”
    Sandra held up her hands. “Ida, after what happened today you don’t need Allison’s help. I’m more than willing to take a week or two off.”
    Ida looked at her gravely. “I’m not talking about a week or two. I’m thinking three or four months.”
    Sandra stared at her in disbelief. Even Allison hesitated.
    “I can’t leave for three months.” Sandra tried to sit up. The beeping of the heart monitor began to race, and the tightness across her chest increased.
    “Calm down or you’ll have a nurse in here reading me the riot act,” Ida admonished. She pushed Sandra gently back on the bed.”Allison, tell her,” Sandra directed.
    Allison looked at Sandra and then at Ida. “Is it that serious?”
    “I wouldn’t have prescribed it otherwise. She’s exhausted. If her blood pressure doesn’t come down, she’s a prime candidate for a stroke.”
    “Hello,” Sandra piped in. “I’m right here, so don’t