The Jewels of Sofia Tate by Doris Etienne Page A

another tube into her throat. Elizabeth appeared to be alive but, for all their efforts, she did not awaken. After noting a reading on the equipment, the male attendant phoned the doctor at the hospital.
    â€œLet’s load her up,” he said to the female attendant when he had finished the call. They placed Elizabeth on a stretcher and rolled her onto the waiting ambulance in the driveway.
    â€œAre you a relative?” the female paramedic asked.
    â€œNo,” Garnet replied. “I’m ... I’m a friend.”
    â€œWould you come with us? It might help to know any details you can provide us with when we reach the emergency room.”
    â€œOkay,” Garnet agreed, moving along like a robot.
    Everything seemed like a blur. While the male paramedic stayed in the back of the ambulance to continue monitoring Elizabeth’s vital signs, Garnet rode up front with the female. Upon arrival at the hospital, they wheeled Elizabeth into the emergency department to receive specialized care, and with the few details Garnet could provide, the medical team was able to bring Elizabeth’s medical history up on the computer.
    But this was all Garnet could do for her. Now she had to wait for the outcome as they did their job. She paced the floor in a waiting room that smelled strongly of disinfectant. She was afraid to even call her mother on the pay phone in case someone came out to give her an update.
    After a while, Garnet could stand it no longer. She approached the grey-haired, heavy-set receptionist seated behind the window at the desk.
    â€œIs there any news on Elizabeth Tate?” Garnet asked, biting her lower lip.
    â€œJust a moment, I’ll check.” The woman stood up and went through the doorway behind her, returning aminute later. She shook her head. “There’s no news at this time. She’s still being attended to.”
    â€œOh. Okay. Thanks. I’ll be waiting right here.” Garnet turned and took a seat in one of the green vinyl chairs behind her. She felt a tight ball in the pit of her stomach. What was taking them so long? What was happening back there? What was happening to Elizabeth?
    She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She had known Elizabeth for less than a week but it felt like she had known her for longer, like some strange force had pulled them together. And now she might lose her.
    Garnet folded her hands in her lap and took another deep breath. She needed help.
    â€œDear God,” she found herself praying. “Please help Elizabeth. Please let her make it. Don’t let her die. I was just getting to know her.”
    She opened her eyes again and slowly exhaled. She glanced at her watch. Six o’clock. Her mother would be home from work by now and would soon be wondering where she was. A row of pay phones filled the wall at the entrance of the waiting room, but Garnet remembered her wallet was inside her knapsack, still at Elizabeth’s house. She checked the pockets of her jeans. Two quarters — change from the school vending machine. She got up, placed one of the quarters into the slot, and punched in her home number.
    â€œHi, Mom. I’m at the hospital.” Garnet heard her mother gasp. “No, I’m okay,” she said quickly. “It’s Elizabeth. She’s in Emergency.”
    â€œOh, no! Is she all right?”
    â€œI don’t know. Can you come?”
    Garnet’s mother arrived a short time later with a brown bag from Tim Hortons. She pulled out sandwiches, doughnuts, juice, and coffee and they ate while Garnet filled her in on how she had found Elizabeth. When they finished, they continued to wait for an update. Garnet’s mother pulled a banking report from her bag and began to read while Garnet picked up a magazine that someone had left behind. But she couldn’t concentrate. The chairs were getting harder and harder, and she felt restless. A glance at her watch told her it was already