Chapter 15

Louise went home in the morning when the other doctor came on. They moved Eve to the infirmary ward for girls. She was the only patient there.

She left her with a breakfast tray and another injection of medicine. "I'll come back this afternoon to see how you're getting along."

When she got home, she finally got some sleep, but it was fitful and full of meaningless but frightening dreams. A pall seemed to hang over her. As she entered the infirmary in the afternoon, she had a feeling that something unpleasant was going to happen very soon.

Eve, at least, looked much better. She gazed up at Louise with a happy smile as she entered.

"I got up," she announed. "It was a little hard, but I made it. I feel a little wobbly, though."

Louise made another pinprick test. This time, the affected area was as sensitive as the rest of the back.

"Okay, but will you please wear the brace?"

Eve nodded without hesitation; the implications of the garment seemed unimportant now.

"Stay put. I'll strap it on you. No point in getting up if you don't have to."

Louise pulled down the sheet and lifted the hospital gown. The gleaming white hips were sinuous and inviting; now that Eve was not in pain, she could think about the body in another way. A hot flush stole over her as she looked down into the tangled golden triangle. She's really a blonde's blonde....

"Keep straight, I'll lift you."

She reached under and cupped the firm buttocks with one hand as she slid the brace under the small of the back. She was conscious of the closeness of the velvety flesh as she raised the torso. As she laced the belt, her hand brushed against Eve's cunt.

"There." She sat down on the bed, tucking the sheet about Eve.

Just then, the nurse opened the door. "Dr. Fowler, there's someone to see you." As the woman retreated from the door, Vivian walked in.

"Well, this looks cozy. I see you two have met," she said sarcastically. "I should have known better than to introduce you in the first place."

Louise stood up. "What do you want?" she burst out, her temper flaring.

"I believe we all have the same desires, don't we?" Vivian looked from Louise to Eve, then indicated herself with a feathery palm on her chest. "All three of us-Adam and Eve and Pinch Me-Tight."

"Listen, this is my hospital and this is a patient," Louise began, her face darkening.

"What're you doing, an abortion? Which one of us is the happy father?"

"Shut up and get out!"

Vivian looked her up and down, a smirk on her lips. "My, aren't we protective of our sweet young thing. Our is right, isn't it?"

"You bet I'm protective of her. She happens to be sick and she's in my charge."

The words made two bright red spots appear on Vivian's cheeks. She pushed past Louise and stalked over to the bed. "You little bitch-"

She grabbed Eve's arm and jerked hard, trying to pull her up. The girl grimaced and emitted a renting groan. Louise sprang at Vivian and whirled her about, slapping her hard.

"Goddamn you...." she breathed, close to tears.

"Goddamn you! She's had a fall-"

Vivian, her hand to her cheek, stepped back. "What happened? Did she fall off her pedestal?"

"As a matter-of-fact, I did," Eve panted, easing herself back against the pillow.

"Get out of here, Vivian, or so help me God I'll put you in a cast."

The two women stared in silent wrath at each other, then Vivian turned and slammed out the door.

Louise sank down on the bed, wondering how much the nurse had heard. Oh, God, she almost ruined me once, and she didn't mean to then....What's she going to do now!

"I wouldn't put anything past her," she mumbled, numbed by the scene that had just passed.

"Louise...." Eve put out her hand. "What can she do without hurting herself as well?"

"That's just it. She wants to hurt herself."