Mindbend

Adam decided to get out and call the police. Before he could leave the kitchen, a soft noise made him freeze. It was the distinctive sound of a door closing.

Adam waited. There was only silence. He peered out into the living room. The security chain on the front door was slowly swinging back and forth.

Adam almost passed out. If it had been Percy who’d come in, why was he hiding? Adam stayed glued to his spot in the kitchen, straining to hear additional noise. When the refrigerator kicked on next to him, he moaned with fright. Finally, deciding that at least ten minutes had passed, that maybe it was all his imagination, he walked into the living room and glanced into the bedroom. He could see the open window to the fire escape. The curtains were slowly billowing in the draft. Adam estimated that it would only take a second to cross the room and climb out.

He never made it. As he ran for the window, a figure appeared from the closet. Before Adam could respond, a fist slammed into his abdomen, sending him sprawling to the floor.

CHAPTER 9

When Je

In less than fifteen minutes, Je

“I guess so,” said Nancy without enthusiasm. She handed Je

Something in her tone bothered Je

“I haven’t finished with Mrs. Schonberg,” said Nancy. “Please, give me another few minutes. I still have to draw her hematocrit and weigh her.”

“I just wanted to say hello.” His voice was unusually soft, without his normally brusque overtone. “How are you, Je

“I’m fine,” said Je

“Well, I’ll be back as soon as Nancy ’s done.” He closed the door, and Nancy stood for a moment staring after him. “God!” she said. “If I didn’t know him better, I’d swear he was on something. Ever since he came back, he’s been weird. He’s much nicer to his patients, but he’s made my job ten times more difficult. Oh well…” Nancy turned back to Je

She had just finished when Dr. Vandermer returned. “I’ll take over,” he said in the same flat voice. “Your weight is fine. How have you been feeling in general?”

“I haven’t examined her yet,” interrupted Nancy.

“That’s all right,” said Dr. Vandermer. “Why don’t you run the hematocrit while I talk to Je

With an audible sigh, Nancy took the hematocrit tubes and left the room.

“So how have you been feeling?” asked Dr. Vandermer again.

Je

“I guess I’ve been feeling pretty good,” she said.

“You don’t sound very enthusiastic.”

“Well…,” said Je

“How do you feel about this pregnancy?” asked Dr. Vandermer. “Sometimes emotions play a role in our well-being.”

Je

“Second thoughts are very common,” he said gently. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel.”

Encouraged by his attitude, Je

When she finished, he said softly, “I appreciate your confiding in me. It’s not healthy to bottle up your feelings. In fact, they may be related to your continued morning sickness, which should have abated by now. I think that we will have to try you on some medication.” Turning to Nancy, who had just returned to the room, he said, “Would you go down to the supply room and bring back a handful of pregdolen samples?”

Nancy left without a word.

“Now then,” said Dr. Vandermer, “let’s get a good look at you.”

The examination included ultrasonography, which Dr. Vandermer described as a method by which images were produced as ultrasonic waves echoed off the baby’s tissues. Je

“Do you care to know the sex of the child?” asked Dr. Vandermer, straightening up.

“I guess,” said Je

“I can’t be sure,” said Dr. Vandermer, “but if I had to guess it looks like a boy.”

Je

Back in the examination room, Dr. Vandermer sat down at the small desk and began to write up his findings. He dismissed Nancy, who left without a word, obviously displeased to have had her job curtailed.

Je

Je

“Now,” said Dr. Vandermer in his new monotone voice, “there are two things I want to discuss with you. First, the next time I see you it will be at the Julian Clinic.”

Je

“Je

“Maybe I should lie down,” said Je

Dr. Vandermer helped her to lie back.

“I’m terribly sorry,” said Je

“Because I’ve decided to join their staff,” said Dr. Vandermer, checking her pulse. “I’m no longer interested in private practice. And I can assure you that as a patient you will get better care at the Julian Clinic. Now, do you feel all right?”

Je

“Is this the first time in your pregnancy you’ve felt faint like this?”

“Yes,” said Je

“What an awful experience for you,” Dr. Vandermer said. “Especially being pregnant. Fortunately, such a clotting disorder is extremely rare, and I hope you don’t blame the Julian Clinic. I heard about that case and I happen to know that Miss Tedesco had withheld certain aspects of her medical history. Her extensive drug usage had caused hematologic problems that did not show up in routine lab work. Had Miss Tedesco been more forthright, she’d undoubtedly be alive today. I’m only telling you this so you won’t have any doubts about the clinic.”