Chapter 69 Major Gonzaga Helps You Get Medicine
The group of tourists who'd been poisoned by wild mushrooms gradually left Stoneford Community Health Center after their symptoms improved.
But the clinic stayed busy.
Most people who came for treatment were townspeople who could no longer tolerate high fevers or stomach pain, and plenty of others wanted to come but had no transportation.
So Levi and Matilda often had to make house calls—when someone at a nearby farm or small village was seriously ill, they'd send word. Levi would ask about symptoms first, then take his medical bag and IV fluids to the patient's home.
In just two days, Matilda had already accompanied him twice to rural households, both times to treat elderly stroke patients who couldn't move and needed IV drips.
She'd originally been a pain management specialist, but now she'd become an emergency general practitioner, seeing every kind of condition.
The clinic's only vehicle was an old Ford E350 van—technically clinic property, with high clearance that could handle dirt roads without trouble.
That day, Levi said to her, "Matty, you can drive, right? The clinic's almost out of medication. You'll need to go to County Seat tomorrow to pick some up."
"Pick up medication?"
"Right." Levi gave her a list and told her to find the supply coordinator in the county seat. He added that these medications used to be delivered regularly by the state, but policy had changed—now they had to pick them up themselves.
The next day, Matilda set off in the van.
Her driving wasn't terrible, but she'd only driven Range Rover SUVs in the city before. This twenty-something-year-old manual transmission van was a completely different experience.
But local conditions were what they were—she had to accept it.
She'd even had the impulse to use her savings to buy the clinic a new vehicle. But she knew if she did that, she'd be labeled as "rich people," creating unnecessary trouble both at the clinic and in town. Keeping a low profile was the key to survival.
She set off with GPS, but signal was spotty out here. Fortunately, there was only one highway to County Seat, so she wouldn't get lost.
It was cold, with snow still lining the roadside. Matilda silently prayed: 'Please don't break down—this place is in the middle of nowhere.'
Of course, what you fear most is what happens.
The van suddenly died at a curve in the road.
She quickly got out to check and saw white smoke rising from under the hood. Opening it up, she saw the engine and a bunch of hoses—completely beyond her abilities.
She couldn't help cursing internally: 'Crap!'
This was about an hour's drive from County Seat, and roughly an hour back to Stoneford Town, surrounded by barren mountains and open plateau.
She tried calling for help, but there was no signal.
She attempted climbing a nearby hill to find signal, but halfway up, she suddenly heard rustling sounds from the other side—the kind that makes you instinctively think of wild animals.
There could be coyotes or even mountain lions around here. Though she'd learned some self-defense, she didn't want to risk encountering actual wildlife.
Matilda hurried back to the van and locked the doors, feeling a wave of helplessness.
Just as she was about to break down, she faintly heard engine rumbling in the distance.
She immediately got out to look and sure enough, an olive-green National Guard truck appeared around the bend.
She waved frantically like she was grasping at hope itself.
The truck stopped, and a middle-aged man in uniform leaned out from the driver's seat. "What's wrong?"
Matilda said excitedly, "My van broke down. I don't know what to do."
The driver got out, followed by several other National Guard members.
"How did it break down?"
"I'm not sure—it just suddenly died." The cold wind had turned her nose red, and she was shivering as she spoke.
The driver called to a tall guard member, "Rick, help this lady check her vehicle."
The guy named Rick squatted down and started examining the engine.
The driver looked at Matilda and said, "From your accent, you're not local, are you? Why are you driving this road alone? If no one had come by, you could've been stuck until dark."
Afraid he'd think she was some impulsive tourist, Matilda quickly explained, "I'm a doctor at Stoneford Community Health Center. I was going to County Seat to pick up medication when my van broke down."
"Oh, from the clinic? You're here for support?"
"Yes."
The driver's attitude warmed considerably. "But you should've brought someone with you."
"The clinic only has three people—one doctor, one nurse. If we all left, there'd be no one to see patients." Matilda rubbed her reddened hands together.
"I see. Come warm up in our truck while we fix this."
"Thanks." Matilda didn't stand on ceremony—her feet were already numb from cold.
She wore a thick down jacket, but coming from Phoenix City, she hadn't prepared snow boots—and delivery services didn't reach Stoneford Town anyway. She'd have to buy some when she got to County Seat.
The driver left Rick outside to work on the van while everyone else got back in the truck.
The guards in the truck chatted with Matilda a bit. When they heard she was going for medication, one young guard said, "Isn't Major Gonzaga at County Seat?"
Another chimed in, "Right, wonder if he could help pick it up for her."
Matilda immediately said, "I'm not sure—I think you just need the medication list."
The guard nodded. "Let me call and ask."
But there was no signal in the truck, so he had to climb to a nearby hilltop to make the call. Ten minutes later, he came back smiling. "All set. Our Major says he'll bring the medication back for you. You don't need to go to the county—he'll use his officer credentials as guarantee."
Matilda said gratefully, "That's such a huge help—thank you all!"
Soon, the van's engine roared to life. Rick walked over and knocked on the truck window. "Fixed. You're probably not used to manual transmission—you were riding the clutch too hard. Watch that in the future or you'll cause serious wear."
Matilda nodded repeatedly. "Got it, I'll definitely be more careful next time!"
She drove back to the clinic, told Levi what had happened, and resumed her busy schedule.
In the evening, just as the clinic was about to close, a jeep pulled up. A man in civilian clothes got out and called from the doorway, "Did you guys request medication delivery? Our Major sent me to bring it over."
Both Matilda and Levi were there and immediately responded, "Yes, that's our medication order."
The man said, "Come verify the list then."
He helped carry the supplies while Matilda checked everything off.
The man was named Danny. After finishing the delivery, he looked at Matilda and suddenly said, "Miss, haven't we met somewhere before? You look really familiar."
Matilda looked up and studied him carefully, certain she'd never seen this person before.
"I don't think so. We've never met."
"Really? I just keep feeling like you remind me of someone I know... or maybe some celebrity?"
Matilda couldn't help smiling.
What a tired pickup line.