Mindbend

“I see,” said Mr. McGuire. “But I can assure you that we are interested in you and not your father. Now, I would like to hear about your schooling and work experience.”

Crossing his legs, Adam began from the begi

“Very good,” said Mr. McGuire when Adam had finished. “If you’ll wait outside for a few minutes, I’ll be out shortly.” As soon as the door closed, McGuire picked up the phone and called his boss, William Shelly. Shelly’s secretary answered, and McGuire told Joyce to put the VP on the line.

“What is it?” asked Bill Shelly, his voice crisp and commanding.

“I just finished interviewing Adam Schonberg,” said Mr. McGuire, “and you were right. He is David Schonberg’s son, and he’s also one of the best candidates I’ve seen in five years. He’s perfect Arolen executive material, right down to his philosophies about current medical practice.”

“Sounds good,” agreed Bill. “If he works out, you’ll get a bonus.”

“I’m afraid I can’t take credit for finding him,” said Clarence. “The kid called me.”

“You’ll get the bonus just the same,” said Bill. “Give him some lunch and then bring him up to my office. I’d like to talk with him myself.”

Clarence hung up the phone and returned to the waiting area outside his office. “I just spoke with the vice-president in charge of marketing who is my boss and he’d like to talk with you after lunch. What do you say?”

“I’m flattered,” said Adam.

Je

Je

Je

Staring at the still form on the bed, Je

“How do you feel?”

“Fine,” said Cheryl sleepily.

“I think I should be going,” said Je

Cheryl’s head lolled to the side. When she spoke, her words were slurred. “What did you say? I didn’t hear you exactly.”

“I said I think I’ll be going,” said Je

“No champagne,” murmured Cheryl as she fumbled with the bed covers. “I’ll walk you to the elevator.” Cheryl threw back the blanket, inadvertently jerking the IV line that was still attached to her left arm.

“I think you’d better stay where you are,” said Je

But Cheryl already had her legs over the side of the bed and was pushing herself up into a shaky sitting position. At that point she noticed that she had pulled out her IV and was bleeding from the spot where the tube had entered her arm.

“Look what I did,” Cheryl said. She pointed to the IV and in doing so, lost her balance.

Je

Je

“Oh God!” she cried. Blood was pouring from Cheryl’s nose and mouth. Je

For a few seconds Je

Je

Je

“We were talking,” said Je

Several doctors, including Dr. Stephenson, ran down the hallway and into Cheryl’s room. Soon another doctor arrived with what looked like an anesthesia machine. Marlene helped him maneuver it into the room, leaving Je

Two orderlies appeared with a gurney. A moment later Je

“Are you all right?” asked Marlene, suddenly appearing in front of Je

“I think so,” said Je

“I don’t think anybody knows yet,” said Marlene.

“She’ll be all right,” said Je

“Dr. Stephenson is one of the very best,” said Marlene. “Why don’t you come to the lounge across from the nurses’ station. I don’t want you sitting by yourself.”

“My bag is in Cheryl’s room,” said Je

“You wait here. I’ll get it,” said Marlene.

After retrieving it, Marlene took Je

“Do you know what they’re going to do?” asked Je

“That’s up to the doctors,” said Marlene. “They’ll certainly take out the fetus. Other than that, I don’t know.”

“Is the baby causing this bleeding?”

“Most likely. Both the bleeding and the shock. That’s why they have to get it out.”

Making Je

Je

Almost an hour passed before Dr. Stephenson reappeared. His hair was matted across his forehead, his face drawn. Je

“We did the best we could,” he said, sitting opposite her.

“Is she…” began Je