CHAPTERTWENTY
“There. One king-size bed,” Adam said, adjusting the new mattress.
“I’m surprised you’re not trying to convince me that we need to break it in.”
“To be honest, I’m feeling kind of worn down.”
“Wow. With your stamina? I never thought I’d hear the words from you. Maybe you overdid it these past two weeks.”
“What can I say? I can’t get enough of you. And you’re insatiable.” Adam stood straight, then suddenly staggered backward and collapsed onto the floor.
“Adam!” Joy screamed. Racing to his side, she found he was unconscious but still breathing. His pulse seemed strong and regular. Immediately, she called 911.
Minutes later, paramedics arrived and rushed through the door. Unable to revive him, they immediately rushed him to the hospital.
It wasn’t until an hour later when the emergency room doctor approached her.
“Joy Roberson?”
“Yes! Is he okay? Please tell me he’s okay!”
“He’s fine now. You can see him in a few minutes. You were with him when he collapsed?”
“Yes, he just got done setting up a new bed. He stumbled backward and blacked out. It was the strangest thing. Do you have any idea what could have happened?”
“All the tests that we ran came back normal. His vitals are good, and his heart rate and breathing are both normal. In fact, he’s in perfect health. My guess is that it was a combination of dehydration and exhaustion. This happens with people who aren’t accustomed to the heat and humidity, although they usually don’t go unconscious for an hour.”
“Will he be okay?”
“He should be fine. Just topping him off with some fluids before we send him home. Be sure he gets some rest and stays hydrated. You can go back and see him now. He’s been asking for you,” he said, beckoning her to follow him down the hall.
“Thank you, Doctor,” she said, entering Adam’s room.
“Sorry about all of this,” Adam said.
“You sure scared the hell out of me! The doctor said he is cutting you loose after you get some more fluids. He thinks this heat and humidity took its toll on you.”
He shrugged. “I’m sure that’s all it is. I’m more than ready to get out of here,” he said, ripping the IV from his arm.
Joy picked up on something about his demeanor. She couldn’t put her finger on it, exactly, but something wasn’t right with him.
But back at the apartment, he seemed to be perfectly healthy ... if only for the next two days when it happened again.
It was the same emergency room doctor who had seen him previously.
“I don’t know what you’re doing to that man, but whatever it is, give him a break.”
“Any idea what is going on?” Joy asked, frustrated that the doctor didn’t seem to have a single answer as to what could be wrong with him. Whatever it was, it had to be something serious for him to just keep blacking out like he was.
“I’d like to keep him overnight and run some more tests. I’m a bit perplexed at the moment because he seems fine otherwise.”
The news that he was going to be stuck in the hospital overnight was, honestly, a welcome relief. At least, in her mind, if it happened again, the doctors would be able to see it for themselves. She racked her brain, trying to figure out what it could be. It had to be more than simple dehydration. Was his sugar dropping too low? Was he not getting enough oxygen? Or was it something else entirely different?
When she finally met up with Adam in his room, he had already resigned himself to being stuck in a hospital bed overnight. Her heart broke when she saw him hooked up to all the machines and the IV in his hand. A fresh round of tears threatened to make an appearance, but she kept them at bay, not wanting to break down in front of him. It was the last thing he needed.
“I’m sorry, again,” he said, still very groggy.
“I think it’s good that the doctor ordered more tests. Maybe we can finally figure out what’s going on. Try to sleep. I’ll stay here with you tonight,” she said, kissing him lightly on the lips.