Page 43 of After the Red Carpet
“A big kick?” Joyce asked, turning to look.
“No . . . I . . . I must have stood up too quickly. I feel a bit woozy, and . . .” Before Ella could complete her thought, she fainted. Joyce rushed to break her fall, catching her limp body.
“CUT!” THE DIRECTOR YELLED.
“What the hell was that?” Finn asked his costar. “We were in the middle of a scene.”
The director hurried over to Finn and quietly said, “Someone from your house just called. There’s an emergency with your wife. She’s been taken to the hospital by ambulance.”
The color drained from his face as he sprinted off the set without a word.
FINN BURST INTO THE EMERGENCYroom and saw Joyce. He ran over, his face flushed. “What happened?”
“We were hanging out in the kitchen, making breakfast. She said she felt dizzy, and then she just fainted. Luckily, I broke her fall,” Joyce said, her face lined with worry. “Her doctor met us here. I haven’t heard anything yet. She’s in room 217, down that hall and on the left.”
Finn flew down the corridor and into Ella’s room, where she was sitting in bed, eating crackers.
“I’m okay,” she said as he raced to her side. “The baby too. They did an ultrasound.”
He threw his arms around her, rubbing her head, and she held him tightly. Eventually, he pulled back and took her hand in his. “What did the doctor say?”
“Nothing yet, really. She just did the ultrasound, which was fine, and she said she’d be back in a few minutes. Finn, what if . . . what if something is wrong with the baby, and . . .”
“Shh. There’s nothing wrong with Betty. Let’s just wait until we know more.”
“But what if . . .”
They were interrupted when Dr. King came into the room. “Sorry about the delay,” she said. “I was just ordering a few tests for you. I’m glad your husband is here.”
“Doctor, what’s going on? What would cause my wife to faint?” Finn asked.
“That’s what we’re going to try to figure out. Ella, have you felt lightheaded before?”
“Yes, every once in a while for the past few weeks, if I get up too quickly or something like that,” Ella replied.
Finn looked at her, surprised. “Sweetheart, why didn’t you say anything?”
“I thought it was normal. I didn’t realize . . . I didn’t know . . .”
“Ella,” Dr. King interjected, trying to keep them from panicking, “how have you felt otherwise? Any pain, cramps, other discomfort?”
Ella shook her head. “No, nothing like that. I’ve felt great. Sometimes I get a little tired or I feel like my energy is a bit low, but that’s all.”
“What about nausea?”
Ella shook her head. “Not at all. Honestly, I’ve never felt better.”
“Nausea can cause some women to avoid eating. You’re still well below what we typically see for weight gain. Are you getting the recommended daily caloric intake we discussed?”
“Yes,” Ella replied.
“Are you sure you’re getting proper nutrition?” Dr. King asked. “If you’re undereating, it would explain these bouts of lightheadedness and low energy.”
“That’s not it. There must be something else, something really wrong,” Ella said, fear etched all over her face.
“We’ll get to the bottom of this. I know it’s difficult, but please try not to worry. The ultrasound was totally normal; her heartbeat is strong. A nurse will come by in a few minutes to take you to the lab for some blood work. I’ll check on you afterward, and if you’re feeling better, we’ll spring you from this place.”
“All right,” Ella said.
