Chapter 12: Getting Gertie Out
“Phyllis, do you hear it?” Gertrude thought it might be the sound of a calliope somewhere off in the distance, the music growing louder, drawing closer. Had the circus come to town? She opened her eyes. The music stopped and there was Frieda, checking something attached to her right arm; she tried to raise it but the nurse stopped her.
“The IV is there for a reason, Gertrude. Or would you prefer I call you Gertie?”
Gertie. How did she know? The notebook, of course. If only…
“What’s that in my arm?”
“A little saline plus some nourishment. You haven’t been eating so the doctor ordered it.”
Gertrude couldn’t remember seeing the doctor. She glanced up at the IV bag. “Are there more drugs in—”
Frieda cut her off and stuck a thermometer in her mouth. “Just a
