Page 69 of Landing Love

Ann drove him the few blocks to Nassau Hospital and supported him as he hobbled up the steps and through the porticoed entrance to the hospital.

Everyone at the hospital wore masks and gloves. As soon as the two of them came in, two nurses swooped down to whisk Bill off to parts unknown. Ann stood frozen in the entry hall, not sure what to do. After a few minutes, one of the nurses came back and spoke to her.

She could hardly focus on the woman’s words as her mind took her back to Roger. He survived a plane crash only to die of a fever. Was she going to lose Bill too? She couldn’t. It was unthinkable. So little time had passed, but he’d already become such a part of her life, not to mention her heart. This couldn’t be happening.

“You already know he has Spanish Flu. I’m afraid he’s contagious, which means you need to quarantine. Stay in one place away from other people for fourteen days and clean everything you or he have touched.”

“What about my son? He’s just three months old.” The last thing she wanted to do was endanger Junior by bringing him back to the apartment, despite the doctor’s reassurances, though what she’d do about feeding him was another question, since he was still on the breast.

“He’s unlikely to have severe symptoms if he gets it, but he can carry and transmit the germs that cause this. So he should quarantine with you.”

Ann nodded and took her leave.

Quarantine. In that tiny apartment. For two whole weeks. She was going to drive herself mad, but there was nothing for it.

She drove home and cleaned the apartment from top to bottom with bleach, wiping down every surface, and throwing the windows wide open to air it out. Whatever she could do to prevent Junior from getting it, she was intent on. Then she took a bath and scrubbed every inch to get rid of any germs that might be on her. After the bath, she dressed and called the O’Donnells, asking them to bring Junior over and explaining the quarantine.

Mrs. O’Donnell left Junior and a casserole right outside the door, knocked, and then stepped away. Ann retrieved Junior and the casserole gratefully and settled in for her long wait.

26

“Wanna play canasta?” Bill’s roommate asked in a wheezy voice as he shuffled a deck of cards.

“Sure.”

“Gotta do something while we sit around and wait to die.” Despite his smile, the older man heaved with the effort to keep breathing.

“This won’t take me down. I’m not allowed to die. My wife would have words with Saint Peter.” Bill didn’t believe a mere flu could do him in, however nasty. He had too much to live for—a future with Ann. There was no way he could let her down by leaving her all alone in the world a second time.

“Lucky man, having a wife like that. My wife would probably say good riddance if you asked her.” He chuckled as he began to deal the cards. “Name’s Joe.”

“Nice to meet you, Joe. I’m Bill.” A coughing fit overtook him.

“Easy there, sonny. You almost dropped your cards.”

Bill righted himself and took his turn. “How long have you been married?”

“Hmm. Let’s see. It must be thirty-six years now.”

Thirty-six years. Bill hoped he got to live with Ann that long. What a life they would have together if he could just get past this minor hiccup. “Congratulations! I can only hope that someday I’ll be able to match you.”

“You will, young fella. Have no fear. You’re young and strong. If anyone can beat this thing, it’s a man like you.” Joe took his turn. “And how long have you been married, Bill?”

“A week.”

“A week?”

“That’s right. One week.” Though with everything that had happened, it felt like it should have been longer.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon, young man?”

“Tell that to the Spanish Flu.” But if he got out of this, he was going to take Ann and Junior on a nice long trip. In their haste, he hadn’t even thought about a honeymoon, but at that moment, he wanted nothing more than a long vacation with nothing to do but delight his wife.

Joe shook his head. “Well, if that isn’t the rottenest luck I ever heard of.”

Bill shrugged. There was nothing he could do about it. He could rail against fate, but to what end? Far better to accept and wait this thing out. He needed to conserve his strength for the fight.

“How did you and your missus meet?” Bill asked, taking his turn.