“My clients have done nothing illegal.”

The judge pulled open the envelope. She browsed the documents, then looked up at the lawyer.

“Based on this information I am issuing an order to have Miss Ball moved to Mid-Town as requested by nine PM.”

“But that is impossible.”

“Why?”

“We couldn’t get the records ready by then.”

“Then I will release one of the copies I have. A deputy will have them there in an hour. That will give the doctors there time to review them.”

“But your honor.”

“I want two copies, one for the hospital, one for me. Mr. Decker. Would you agree to my having a copy of your records passed to Mid-town?”

“Not unless Miss Ball agrees. But your honor, we provided them with Miss Ball when she was transferred.”

“I would feel better if they got a copy directly from you.”

“If it is based on you being confident this is the best for the patient, then we have no objection. Attorney Bretz. When you see Miss Ball tell her we wish her a speedy recovery. We have a celebration planned for her. It is on hold until she can be here.”

“Thanks. I am sure that will be good news.”

At eight fifty five Sandra was checked in at Mid-town.

Joan had been trying to reach Carol Dart since just after noon. She left a message for her before they left Sandra’s house. They lived miles apart but they usually returned calls from each other within a couple hours. Although they had not talked for nearly five months Joan expected a quick response. About the time Sandra was being checked in Carol returned her call.

Their friendship went back nearly twenty years. They met when Joan was a young first year RN, just out of training. Seeing her friend and mentor Carol, a nurse five years older, brought into the ER from a traffic accident was a wake up call to the young nurse who was getting into heavy drinking. Two nights before Carol’s admission Joan stopped at a bar after work and drove home with a full tank as she braggingly called DUI. Looking at Carol’s broken body brought reality and instant sobriety. Booze was no longer fun. She would tell others. “I got lucky. I got to see the results of DUI without experiencing the pain.” Unlike Joan, Carol somehow could not kick the bottle. It would take another accident to bring that. Later Joan would admit that although she enjoyed the drinking environment, there was something in Carol that liked the booze. Joan drank in social settings and she drank as much as she wanted and stopped when she wanted. Carol got seemed to get drunk anywhere there was alcohol. At first Joan nearly despised Carol, later she realized alcohol tasted good to Carol and worse, once she started she could not stop.

Here ends the story, “Sandra” but if you locate the story “Denise” by Ralph Brandt you will see Sandra appear there as a supporting character.

Good reading.