Dr. harvey! My mother drank too much again... I know, I know. But this time it's serious. -Penny
The sun was beginning to set as Harvey finished straightening up the clinic. Today had been unusually busy, and he was left with the grueling task of cleaning after Maru left. Once he disinfected the last syringe and put it in the drawer, he trudged upstairs to his small apartment and plopped himself at his desk. He fiddled with his model airplanes for a few moments, then let out a long, tired sigh.
As he stood to get into bed, there was a loud and urgent knock on the door to the clinic. He stopped in his tracks and quickly scurried down the stairs. “I’m sorry, but we’re close,” he called as the knocking started again. It was harder and more rapid than the last few.
He put his ear to the door, to be sure this wasn’t just a trick. As he listened, he heard faint whimpering. He took a step back and unlocked the door, only to see Penny standing in front of him.
“Dr. Harvey!” she exclaimed, tears running down her face. “My mother drank too much again…” She paused, and covered her distraught face. “I know, I know… But this time it’s serious.”
Harvey stepped closer to Penny. “Where is she?”
Harvey stood in the doorway to Pam and Penny’s trailer. The stench of alcohol was practically unbearable, and the room was cluttered with bottles and old food and garbage. Pam was lying facedown on the floor close to the doorway, motionless.
Penny began to sob. “I- I didn’t know what to do. When she gets like this, I can normally wake her up and help her out of her hangover. But this time…” She trailed off as she cried into her hands.
Harvey rested his hand on her shoulder.”It’ll be fine, Penny.” He looked back at Pam. “I’ve dealt with these cases more often than you would think. Especially with-” Harvey stopped, remembering his promise to keep his patients and their visits confidential. “Will you help me bring her to the clinic? I have more resources there than what I brought with me.”
Penny nodded, and took one of Pam’s arms. Together they dragged her to Harvey’s clinic, laid her on a bed and Harvey comforted Penny as he inserted an i.v into her mother.
He took a blood sample and ran tests, just to make sure Pam really was okay. Her blood alcohol level was extremely high, but not enough to cause any damage.
He sat down with Penny, who had calmed herself down after Harvey explained that her mother was going to be just fine in a few hours.
They sat in silence. Finally, Harvey asked, “How often does this really happen, Penny?”
She stared at her hands for a few moments, then said, “At least every other day.”
“Why didn’t you come to me?”
“I have!” she cried. “I just… Only come when it’s an emergency…” She paused. “My mother likes drinking. It helps her get through the day, helps her put up with me.” She clenched her fists and let out a heavy breath. “I can’t take away her drinks, she gets angry. But…”
She stared at her mother, and bit her lip. Harvey could see how hurt Penny was inside, even though she never showed it. “Can I stay here tonight? Mom and I can leave tomorrow morning when she is feeling better.”
Harvey nodded, and Penny slipped into a bed next to her mother. Pam stirred in her deep sleep, and Penny smiled slightly. “Thank you, Harvey.” She murmured, and Harvey slipped up the stairs.
Although he was exhausted, he kept himself up to be sure Penny was okay. After about half an hour, he had decided she was asleep, and he himself trudged into bed. He knew without a doubt that Pam would be okay for tonight, but would Penny? What if Pam isn’t okay the next time this happens?
Questions filled his head as he drifted into sleep, but he promised himself the next time this happened, and the next time after and all the times after tonight, Pam would be okay.
