I kept the ice pack on my foot, but the pain there was receding anyway. I was so tired, I couldn't stay upright and eventually just gave up on the ice pack and fell asleep. It was probably the best sleep I'd had since I'd arrived at this ranch. I didn't wake up feeling energetic. but I felt a great deal stronger. The nausea was gone and I didn't think I had a fever any longer either. I saw that the sun was low, falling behind the mountains in the west. I had slept through the day.
"Well," I heard from the doorway, and looked up at Dr. Foreman. "You've woken just in time for dinner. That's good. I want you to eat well tonight, Phoebe. You have to get stronger. okay?"
"Yes, Dr. Foreman."
"Good. Go on to the dining room then."
I slipped my feet into my shoes cautiously. I couldn't help it. Memory of that sting was still so vivid. I thought my foot would rebel and refuse to go into the shoe. Dr. Foreman watched me and then stepped back as I started out of the room.
"It's a comfortable room, isn't it. Phoebe?"
"Yes."
I hadn't looked at anything but the bed, but now I saw a dresser and a mirror, a small desk and chair, and a vanity table with another mirror. The floor was done in a blue-and-white tile with an oval, cream area rug next to the bed. Beside the bed was a pole lamp with a shade that looked to be made of seashells. There was even a radio on the nightstand.
"This could be your room. Phoebe." I glanced at her a little too hopefully. 'We'll see." She indicated I should walk ahead of her to the dining room.
The others were already there eating. They all looked up when I appeared, all except Gia. She kept her eyes on her food.
"As you all heard. Phoebe hasn't been well. She is therefore excused from any kitchen chores tonight," Dr. Foreman announced.
Mindy smirked. Rabin and Teal stared at me enviously.
Dr. Foreman put her hand on my shoulder, "Get something to eat and then return to your bunk and get same rest. Phoebe. You don't have to work on any school assignments either."
The more favors and privileges she placed upon me, the more embarrassed and ashamed I felt. The others sensed it and were now all looking down at the food. I went to my place and began to fill my plate with food. I was hungry and thirsty. Dr. Foreman stood there watching for a few moments, then left.
Na one spoke for a while.
Finally, Teal broke the silence, "You were in the Ice Room, weren't you?"
I nodded.
"What was it like? What happened? What did they do?" she asked, her eyes wide with expectation. "Robin won't tell me anything about her experience," she added, glaring at her.
I just shook my head.
"Talking about something like that causes you to relive it," Gia mumbled, "So shut up."
"Don't keep giving me orders," Teal shot back at her. She looked at me again. "What did she mean you weren't well?" she asked, refusing to be quiet even though Robin and Mindy and not just Gia were now glaring at her so hard, anyone else would have been intimidated.
"I was stung like you, by a scorpion, and this was right after Dr. Foreman gave me the news that my mother died last week."
"What?" Robin asked. "Your mother died?"
"Some drug she took affected her heart and she died in the clinic she was in."
"Why did she wait so long to tell you?" Teal asked.
"I don't know," I know I sounded like it. but I couldn't help it: I was searching for sympathy, and understanding.
"Oh. This is all so terrible," Teal said. "And then to be stung by a scorpion. Where were you stung?"
"It was in my shoe."
"How could it be in your shoe?" Robin asked. grimacing.
"Spiders can get into shoes when they're left outside. It's not a big deal." Gia said dryly.