Tree of Life Shadow Work Challenge
Day Two: “What facet of my childhood have I overlooked or otherwise need to evaluate?”
(Using Loki’s tarot deck, “The Raven’s Prophecy Tarot”)
The Magician - A master of all they undertake, The Magician has extraordinary influence on the world. They’re versatile; they can shape things and bring them into being, alter them, and destroy them. As such, they are in a sense indomitable; they can take whatever the world throws at them and make it their own. I thought this would be Loki’s signifier, as I experience him very much in this way, but he ended up going for the Nine of Wands. I do maintain that he fits the description, and though it may not be is calling card, he is The Magician all the same.
This may be about recognizing how he fits into my life, and/or about recognizing my own power and ability to control my destiny. Both, probably. Both is good.
My Childhood
Trace back your memories as far as you can. Try to overview your early life in as much detail as possible. Articulate or otherwise express how you experienced childhood as a whole. Heed to any areas of resistance you encounter. Note pivotal turning points or memories that stand out. Attempt to recall the first time you experienced emotions like sadness, anger, jealousy, anxiety, remorse, and contempt.
TW: abuse, child abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, mental abuse, spiritual abuse, bullying, Christianity
It sucked, basically. My mom’s abusive, my dad’s abusive, my sister’s abusive, everyone’s abusive.
When I was young, I’m not sure how young, but before 3rd grade, my dad was setting off fireworks in the backyard. He’s still really into that. They’re illegal in my state, so a police car came by, and I think they were asking my dad questions. My babysitter took me and my sister and ran upstairs to hide. Maybe in a closet. I didn’t know what was going to happen and I was scared. That’s probably my first “fear” moment. That or walking in on my mom watching poltergeist, holy shit that was terrifying. I still can’t do scary movies, especially not supernatural ones.
I had a crush on the boy who lived a few houses down. He was a few years older than me, and his sister was the babysitter mentioned above. Sometimes I hung out over at their house, playing Sonic and stuff. One day, he and his older brother staged some kind of ridiculous murder scene downstairs. They kept trying to get me down by bribing me with lollipops, but I kept refusing. I knew they were up to something. I don’t remember how I ended up going down - maybe just to get them to stop bugging me - but they played out this whole thing where there was a murderer in the house and he was slowly killing everyone. Ketchup and lemonade (to make their voice hoarse, as if they were choked) were involved. I knew the “blood” was ketchup and that everything was fake, but ended up getting really upset by the thought of my crush being murdered. That’s probably my first “anxiety/despair” moment.
We moved the summer before I started 3rd grade, I think, and stayed there for the entirety of my childhood. I’m not sure when my parents started going at each other. I remember we went to Disney World, maybe when I was in 5th grade? and there was a good bit of screaming at each other then. I don’t remember it before; maybe I was too young to know. Regardless, Disney World is probably my happiest (childhood) memory.
In 5th grade, we went to a Catholic school. I was bullied by pretty much everyone, even my “best friend,” who ended up being a sort of nightmare. But otherwise, nothing too crazy.
When I was in 6th grade, my mom took me and my sister and ran off to another state (where our extended family is). No warning. One day we were just gone. I don’t remember how she explained that to us. We went to a Catholic school that had a serious Hive Mentality thing going on. They didn’t want me and my sister. Our teachers were horrible to us, and I kept ending up in situations where I looked very guilty but was in fact innocent and totally oblivious to what was going on. This is probably the start of “anger.” They wanted to expel me, but couldn’t come up with a reason why. My mom immediately started seeing other people, and my dad was furious. He’s of a very traditional mindset, marriage is forever, your duty is to your family, blah blah. So he did some e-mail hacking and ended up posing as an online therapist, who encouraged my mom to go back to him. She still doesn’t know.
That’s about when shit started getting really bad. He would scream til he was purple about how awful she was, pretty much all hours, pretty much every day, I think. Anti-women slurs everywhere. When me or my sister displeased him, he’d turn it on us. Even casual conversation with him was somehow linked back to our mother “ruining our lives.” At some point there was family therapy, which was an absolute disaster. They said I was “Obsessive Defiant.” I guess “abused” was never even a consideration. He’d start screaming “Defiance!” at me if I didn’t do a thing fast enough, like, “Pass the butter. Defiance!!!” like shit give me a second. My mom I guess blamed us for our dad’s BS and was always on about how we’re ruining her life and how I’m some kind of evil devil child and I’d have nightmares all the time about burning in hell.
The second half of 6th grade I went back into public school, and basically went right to my closest friends from public-elementary-school, who were The Losers. No one else remembered me, so going straight for The Losers pretty much instantly made me one of them. Probably the most, like, “establishing character moment” in my life, and the first "fuck you” at the world moment. Like I was starting to realize what behaviour was not acceptable among people (after fucking up a whole lot first, courtesy of my parents), and pretty much took a hard stand against bullshit, and recognizing my friends being The Losers was messed up. I got bullied. One girl beat the shit out of me once. My dad picked me up from a sleepover at her house, and blamed me for it. Obviously I must have deserved it, or something.
My sister was a weird aggressive child who physically grew up too fast, if you get me. She was always jealous that I got along so well with our cousin (she was like in-between us, age-wise), and her favorite game was Beat Up. It’s exactly what it sounds like, with me as the target. People don’t take notice because she’s younger than me - a good bit younger - but damn if she wasn’t bigger/stronger than me, like. There’s more, but I won’t type that on here. I don’t talk about that.
High school there was more persistent bullying, but never physical. Only the one time ever was. In 9th grade it got to the point where I just stopped talking. I’d talk to like 1 person, and at home because god, can you imagine what would have happened if I went silent at home. “Defiance!!11!1″ I think in 10th it got better. I kind of acquired friends because my (new) best friend was friends with a bunch of people, and I was always hanging out with her. We’re all still friends now. I guess.
No one knew about my family’s issues. Not my friends, anyway. One of my sister’s friends found out once after kind of witnessing my dad beat the shit out of me because I refused to go swimming at the river (I was on my period, dude). He was screaming about how I was destroying the family or something??? I provoked him into hitting me, so he smacked the shit out of me. The poor girl was apparently smacked around herself, because she didn’t take seeing this well at all.
I remember my dad was going to drive me to school for my senior picture, and I was tying my shoelaces and clearing my throat. You know how your voice kind of catches in your throat? For some reason he assumed this was me throwing a fit about him not “getting ready fast enough”??? and he started with the usual screaming. I said fine, I’ll walk, not wanting to really ride with that anyway. I get about halfway there, and he’s in the car hanging out the window, purple-red, screaming about how if I don’t get in the car he’ll drag me in, and my mother, my mother, it’s all her fault, I’m just like her. I tried sitting in the back. Wrong choice. He screamed in my face the whole way there. I was crying hysterically at school, but trying to hide it. People who hated me were asking me what was wrong. None of my friends were there. I was trying not to burst into tears literally as they were taking my picture.
It was bad. My childhood was bad. Bad all over. Not sure what you’re looking for here, really.
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A Hunsford Tale
Saturday, February 8th, 1812
"Good afternoon, Miss."
Gasping awake, Heidi sat up at the intrusion of a voice in her head.
"I would advise against too much exertion."
A middle-aged man in a high-collared dress shirt and a vest stood in the doorway in the far right corner of the room.
"Where am I?"
Her mind was hazy and Heidi ran her hand over her face knowing something was wrong. The smell of roast beef and a wood fire washed over her. Realizing what she’d just done, Heidi shoved her hands under her thighs, her eyes fluttering against the harsh light that filtered through an open window.
"You are in my surgery."
The room, with its dirty plaster walls and filthy cabinets, was NOT a doctor's office.
"Wha-what do you mean? This isn't a surgery, it’s barely a clinic."
"It is my place of business.” He closed the door behind him.
"I need to go somewhere with a proper doctor."
The man, who’d begun to walk toward the bed, stopped. The light-hearted, teasing tone had changed and a flash of annoyance crossed his features. "I am a proper physician, I assure you. I graduated from Cambridge. Twenty-three years ago."
Heidi looked around the room again, her lip curling.
He was a liar.
"No proper doctor would have patients in a room as dirty as this.” She waved her hand toward the Kommode.
She scoffed at herself, forgetting the word in English.
Dresser.
—with its stone countertop and glass-doored hutch filled with jars and bottles.
“A doctor's office is supposed to be as sterile as possible."
The man took a calming breath. "Miss, you have been through a good deal of trauma. The laudanum is sure to be confusing matters, but I promise you that my surgery is clean."
Heidi’s stomach dropped. "Laudanum?"
The man smiled, wiping his hand on a towel, and walked over to the bed.
"I administered a dosage when Dowding brought you to the door a few hours ago. He witnessed your faint on the Browne’s front step. And with the family away--"
"I'm sorry,” she said, waving her hand to get him to stop talking. She needed to think. “I don't understand. I didn't think anyone still used laudanum anymore."
She tried not to pull away from his dirty hands. If she’d been drugged, there was no telling what this man intended and she had no desire to upset him.
"Your knee was displaced, dislocated. It was necessary to administer laudanum to ensure you remained unconscious while I put the joint back."
She looked down for the first time and saw her leg in a splint, an incredibly crude splint. Her jeans had been cut up to mid-thigh. A thin sheet bunched over her good leg.
"I thought it might be broken." She couldn't forget about the state of the room; but Heidi brushed it aside for now. There were more important things to worry about. "How did it look on the x-ray?"
The doctor frowned. "X-ray?"
"You didn't x-ray it?"
"My apologies, however I have no idea what this ‘x-ray’ is."
Her eyes went wide.
This man was unreal.
"I apologize for cutting open your…” His eyes lingered on her bare knee though his brow was knit in confusion rather than looking at her in a sexual nature. “Breeches."
"Better than taking them off, I suppose," she muttered, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Would you be so kind as to tell me what occurred to put you in such a state? You may have done irreparable damage to the tendons. It is best if I know the truth."
"I was on my way to New Haven, to my parent's cabin on Lake Ontario."
"Ontario?"
Heidi sniffed. She was starting to grow annoyed.
Who hadn't heard of Ontario? It was like five miles down the road.
"You know, between New York and Canada, one of the Great Lakes? Niagara Falls is on one side of it?"
"It is far worse than I feared.” The man shook his head at her, his shoulders slumping. “You appear to have suffered brain damage in addition to the dislocated knee."
"What do you mean?" She tried not to; but there was a snippy tone in her voice that she couldn’t control.
"Miss, you are currently in England."
Her eyes locked with his, voice dead-panned. "That's funny."
Ignoring the old-fashioned bottles on the finely carved dresser, her eyes swept the room.
The pitcher and basin could easily be explained away. Maybe the doctor enjoyed antiques.
But what she couldn’t ignore was the wooden chair sitting on a dais directly across the room from her, near the only window.
Leather straps hung from the armrests, and a set of straps were looped around the front legs in some mockery of an electrocution chair.
Heidi’s throat went dry, wondering what the hell this madman was up to.
She glared him down. Now she was getting downright pissed.
"What is this, one of those prank shows? Or did I stumble into one of those old-timey tourist destinations where they teach kids how to make homemade candles and butter?"
"Miss, I do not jest. You are in England. Perhaps you could tell me what you think today’s date is?"
Heidi rolled her eyes. "If I answer truthfully, you're going to insist it’s 1776 or something, aren't you?"
"Is that what year you believe it to be?"
His genuine concern surprised Heidi enough to silence the four-letter word that was about to come tumbling out. Fully decked out in soft leather pants and one of those folded white neck tie things, he was a spitting image of an actor in one of her mother's movies.
"It's February 8th, 2019. At least it was when I got in my car to come out here. So, it must be the 9th by now, unless I lost more than a day in a drug-induced haze."
The man tilted his head. "Drugs, Miss?"
"Laudanum. It’s poppy based, isn't it? I don't know much about those sorts of things. Mother always preferred the new agey stuff, like Echinacea and goldenseal."
Heidi stopped talking, realizing she was rambling, and looked away.
"What is today's date?" she asked.
"February 8th, 1812."
Heidi almost snorted, but controlled herself. "1812? As in the 'Battle of'?"
The man frowned at her.
"I just watched something about this... What was it?" Heidi tapped her fingers on her chin trying to remember, then realizing she was touching her face again, dropped them to her lap. "Something about the British trying to burn down the White House? Didn't Dolly Madison save the portrait of Washington?"
"I have no knowledge about the war in America."
Heidi's hand balled into a fist at her side. Enough was enough.
"Listen, buddy. I don’t know what your deal is, but can’t you drop this charade and get me to a proper hospital? I'm sure this clinic is great in teaching kiddos what the world was like 200 years ago, but I need to get this knee examined."
He blinked. Heidi threw her hands up.
“Like… by a professional? An orthopedic surgeon or something?” She was speaking to him as if he were an idiot, but she didn’t care.
"I can arrange to have you sent up to London, if you wish; but traveling in the stage or in a coach would do more harm than good, I fear."
Giving up on the man’s sanity, Heidi sneered.
Maybe it was better to play along. It was clear this man was dedicated to his role. And, he had just offered to let her leave. "How far is it to London?"
"Twenty miles."
"That's it?" She raised an incredulous eyebrow, wondering if he meant twenty miles to the metropolis or if they were in a neighborhood within the city and it was twenty miles to the center. Heidi knew that London was a sprawling metropolis, but was not sure how sprawling.
The man nodded.
She shook her head, not even believing what she was about to say. "Good, then get me in a carriage and we'll get there in an hour and I can get that ‘x-ray’ done." She’d even put air-quotes around the word.
The man clasped his hands behind his back – the way people always did when they had bad news. Heidi’s leg throbbed.
"Miss, the ride to London will take a half day, nearly four hours if the weather is fair and holds. And when I was out last, it was sn--."
"Oh Jesus, give me a break, dude. I get that you're enthusiastic. I get assigned a role and I live up to it, too; but I'm in some serious pain here."
"I am the only physician for at least ten miles, Miss.”
It was impossible. This close to London, there’d probably be doctor’s offices on every corner.
“I am the best chance you have at healing that leg."
There was a knock on the door and the doctor called out for the person to enter.
Heidi expected a nurse, or at the least a grown woman dressed in whatever muslin concoction this tourist trap used to pass for Regency England; but she was surprised to see a girl, somewhere between twelve and fifteen, walk into the clinic. Like a thousand other extras in the movies, the girl was dressed in a regency appropriate drab floral pattern.
"Father, I wondered if your patient had yet awoken."
The man smiled and Heidi looked closely at the two people. Though the girl was blonde and the man black-haired with salt and pepper threading through his mutton chops, the family resemblance was uncanny. They had the same brow and nose, and even the same stance.
Maybe this was something they did together to bond, spending their free time showing tourists the harsh reality of the days before electricity. Heidi thought it was heartwarming, despite her anger.
Heidi eyed the stained rag on the table nearby and fought a shudder of revulsion. This room wasn’t up to standards to be used as an actual first aid station; but hopefully some tour group would come through the house wanting to learn more about 19th century healthcare and disease.
Perhaps it would be better to play along. Eventually she’d have to run into someone in modern clothing and try to convince them to get her to the hospital.
"She is, indeed. Please have Mrs. Newtown bring some broth and bread from the kitchen? Miss—" The doctor paused, staring at her as if it hadn’t occurred to him to ask her name.
"Heidi, my name is Heidi."
"And your surname?"
"Favreau."
The girl gasped, taking a step backwards and looking at her father as if Heidi were an abomination. "She is French?"
Panic shone in the girl's eyes. Heidi knew a fair bit about acting scared, but one couldn’t fake going pale so quick.
"Rose, do as I ask."
Rose nodded, staring at Heidi. She bobbed a quick curtsey at her father and left the room without another word. His eyes still bore a kindly look when they settled on her, albeit a slightly more analytical one.
"You must be aware, even if you are from the former colonies, that the British are at war with the French and Bonaparte. You have no French accent. I would advise you not to share your last name with others in the village. Prejudice against the French will not aid in your return home."
Heidi worried her bottom lip, trying to think of what else she knew about 1812. Her mother was obsessed with Jane Austen, but as far as she knew the author never talked about the battles that her soldier characters were fighting in. Heidi was certain no romance novels help her now.
"I suppose you are right, if it really is 1812," Wanting to, but fighting back the desire to air-quote once more.
The doctor nodded, then smiled thoughtfully. "Perhaps for now, you should refer to yourself as Heidi Meldrum."
"Meldrum?"
"A distant branch of my family is named Meldrum. It will do for now."
"And your daughter?” she asked, glancing at the closed door. “Won't she know her own cousins?"
"I will handle that." He stood up, walked over to the dresser, and opened one of the bottles.
"Why are you helping me lie to your daughter?" Heidi shifted as a sharp stab cut down her leg, and she hissed at the pain.
"Do you require more laudanum?" he asked, avoiding her question.
Heidi narrowed her eyes at him. "No more laudanum."
"What do you wish for the pain?"
It was then that Heidi remembered her bags; she had a few codeine pills in her gear. She hadn’t trusted the movers not to steal them, her mother told a horror story about movers stealing her father’s medications, so she’d thrown them in her purse. The only hard-core drugs she had.
"My bags, do you have them?"
"Dowding returned an hour ago with your belongings." The doctor waved his hand toward the bags placed in a wicker chair in the far corner of the room.
"I suppose you have a convenient explanation for them as well?"
"I was hoping to ask you about them, Miss Meldrum." The doctor emphasized the fake last name. "The material is unlike anything I have ever seen. Nor have I come across the material which your overcoat was made of."
"I don't think I can explain them away." She gave him a helpless shrug. Her pink puffy coat the least of her concerns. But she hoped to egg him on. If there was some way she could get him to admit he was from 2019, she’d be golden.
When he didn’t take the bait, Heidi pursed her lips.
"Could you hand me the overnight bag? I have some medicine in them." Heidi pointed to bag with the pink and gray camo pattern on it.
The doctor nodded and brought it over.
It seemed they weren't opposed to preventing ALL modern conveniences from entering the set or they would have repacked her things in an era-appropriate trunk.
And he wouldn’t have commented on her jacket.
Heidi rummaged through the bag, pulling out the long-sleeved t-shirt and jeggings she planned to wear tomorrow. After moving the underwear out of the way, she found her overnight toiletry bag. Unzipping it, she sorted through the contents and cursed.
"Shit, it's in my other bag." The pain killers were probably sitting in the black bag on the floor of her backseat, sitting there for any scavenger to take.
He grimaced as though he’d been punched in the stomach.
"I—I.” He paused, collecting his thoughts. “I cannot imagine where a woman of education learned such a foul word. Granted, there are many French who have not been raised properly…”
Heidi snapped her eyes over to him. "Excuse me?"
"That was rather vulgar for someone in such high quality clothing."
Rage grew in her chest. "Yes, I'm sure it was."
Something akin to disappointment in his eyes tempered Heidi's words. Maybe the laudanum was hitting her harder than she thought.
"Fine, doctor." She took a breath. "I apologize for my language, but you have to understand that where I come from, vocabulary is different. We are allowed to use such language, without repercussions."
He snorted. "No doubt. But if you wish to stay in my house and recover, I ask that you curb your tongue."
Heat suffused her cheeks as Heidi remembered the girl that played his daughter. If this was no joke and she was accused of corrupting her with bad language, there would be worse consequences than not having some pain pills.
"I will do my best."
The doctor nodded.
The more he spoke, the crazier she thought he was.
Better not to anger her host.
Heidi settled back into the pillows, hoping to exude calm and patience. "So what's your name then? If I’m allowed to ask."
"My name is Ernest Carter. Since you were not—" The doctor coughed lightly before continuing on. "Raised in the same manner as my daughter, it is proper to address me as Doctor Carter. My wife, whom I expect will join us shortly, is titled Mrs. Carter, if you care to use such formal appellations, and she too refers to me as Doctor Carter."
"Of course." Heidi glanced down at her hands, feeling chastened. She had a part to play if she wanted to get out of here.
A silence passed between them. With no other noise around to drown out her thoughts, it became deafening.
"Could you pass me the small purse? I have some emergency pain killers in one of the pockets. I can take one of those now to help."
The doctor squinted at her, like she’d made the wrong word choice, but nodded and brought over her purse. Right where it always was, she easily pulled out the small bottle of naproxen. It wasn't codeine but at least it wasn't an opioid.
He asked for the bottle and she handed it over after pouring two pills into her palm. The doctor shook it, the pills rattling inside, and eyed the label. "It is strange, these tablets. I have not heard of this medicine before."
"I suppose not. They're made in America." Rather than going into the whole future/past thing that irritated the doctor, Heidi figured it would be safer to talk about the fact that she was supposed to be in freakin' New York State.
Heidi eyed the doctor, confusion filling her. "Why don't you speak with a British accent? You don’t even sound like you’re from Syracuse , so it's clear your director isn't too concerned with sounding authentic."
He frowned. "This is how I speak, how I have spoken all my life."
Doing her best to play on the British accent, something that despite her years in Community Theater she sucked at, Heidi instructed the doctor.
"You're supposed to sound like you're from Harvard Yard or Cockney, whatever that is. You know 'tally ho' and 'this is insupportable' and 'blimey, that Constable is a good bloke’."
The doctor shook his head, though he sported a good-natured grin. "Your mood has certainly improved. Though I can promise you that I have never heard anyone speak in such a ridiculous manner."
Heidi pursed her lips at his admission.
If he continued to insist that this was 1812, and this wasn’t some dream she’d made up, because surely she wouldn’t be questioning the year if it was, she would need to alter her approach.
Heidi only just kept herself from telling him that at first sight of someone normal, she would be leaving. Because, unfortunately, with her leg in a splint for at least the next few days, she needed more than a stolen set of car keys to escape.
"May I inspect your leg? I did reset the bones, but I must ensure that blood is flowing properly."
Since this wasn’t the first time she dislocated it, Heidi was willing to give the guy a chance. If what he did seemed legit, she wouldn't try to hobble her way out of the house in the middle of the night.
"Go ahead." She gave him a nod.
Doctor Carter returned the nod and inspected her leg, undoing the ties that kept the splint in place. "It was not a bad dislocation, in fact, it fairly moved back on its own despite the inflammation. How long had you been walking on it?"
Heidi hissed as he probed the area.
Just like a doctor to have pokey fingers.
"I crashed around 3 am."
"Dowding brought you to the surgery at 8. You mean to tell me you wandered the forests for five hours?"
Heidi nodded. "I thought I knew where I was going, but clearly I did not."
She gave a shrug, the doctor prodding her knee. Heidi tried not to flinch, it hurt like a bitch. " I found a branch to use as a crutch. In the middle of nowhere I couldn't wait for help, not with as cold as it was last night."
Doctor Carter shook his head. "It is a miracle you made it this far."
Awkward during the examination, Heidi told him more of her story. “I injured it before, ten years ago. I thought I maybe had to walk half a mile to get to the nearest home, but I must have gotten lost."
"I daresay you did, Miss Meldrum." He did not make eye contact but she could hear a lightness in his tone, his fingers massaging her injury. “And you have no knowledge about the Brownes?”
She frowned.
“The family whose home you were attempting to enter?”
Heidi shook her head.
A light knock on the door caused them both to look up and an elderly, overweight woman came in carrying a tray with a soup bowl, a crystal glass with a dark liquid in it, and a roll.
"Your broth, doctor." The woman gave a quick curtsey as she placed the tray on the edge of the dresser by the door.
"Thank you, Mrs. Newton."
The woman smiled, leaving the room without another word, and the doctor returned to his examination, checking the pulse in her foot. He turned her ankle in every possible direction and checked for numbness.
"Your circulation is not currently affected, though the swelling is intense. Best you stay abed for the next twenty-four hours, so we might monitor your progress. How quickly you heal will determine the rest of your treatment."
Heidi nodded. "I would still feel better with an x-ray."
"Is that something they have in the former colonies?"
Heidi nodded, playing along. "They take pictures of the bones through muscle and skin."
He raised an eyebrow, straightening his shoulders as if this were a great surprise.
"It’s advanced." She avoided his gaze, unsure if she could keep the scorn off her features.
"I imagine so. I would dearly love to see this x-ray. It would be helpful in my practice."
"It will revolutionize medicine."
"Do you know much about it?" His eyes alighted with possibility.
Heidi shook her head. "I barely made it through community college. My Associate’s degree is little help when it comes to medical knowledge. It had something to do with radiation, but otherwise…" She trailed off.
"That is a shame.”
Heidi nodded. Her Associate’s didn’t help get her anywhere. It had been a useless degree that had only put her in debt.
“It would be fascinating to learn about such an innovation." The doctor glanced around the room, gathering a few of his tools, and Heidi blinked.
His change of topic had been a misunderstanding on her part.
"I must attend to my other patients, now that you are awake. I will be away for the rest of the day. Though I should be back by morning."
Heidi considered him. "Morning?"
"I attend to the needs of our village as well as a few of the other villages and hamlets in the district. It is part of my contract to keep my surgery so near to the estate."
She smiled, he was probably going on lunch break. Vaguely she remembered stories her mother had told about doctor’s making house calls even in the early ‘50s in her home town. It was something she’d never considered before, but a nice touch to his backstory.
"You have a patron?" she asked.
"I do."
The doctor moved away from the bed, placing a few instruments into his typical, leather doctor's bag. "I ask that you stay in bed as much as possible until I return."
"I don't suppose I have much of a choice."
"Not if you wish to heal your injury properly. You will not be forced to remain after the twenty-four hours; but you are injured and should stay still." The doctor looked over his shoulder and gave her a genuine smile. "Doctor's Orders, Miss Meldrum."
Heidi smiled back, feigning conciliation. "Do you have anything to read or something for me to occupy my time with? If I have to stay on this bed for the next day, I’ll go nuts."
"I will send Rose in with a novel or two. Mrs. Carter enjoys reading on occasion."
"Will I meet this Mrs. Carter?" she asked, doubting the woman’s existence.
"She was called to the farm to aid in Mrs. Cooper's labor."
Heidi sat up a little straighter. "She's a midwife?"
"On days when she is feeling well, yes."
"How reassuring." Heidi gave the doctor a grin.
Doctor Carter’s features lost color, he blubbered before finding his words. "Are you with child, Miss Meldrum?"
Heat roared across Heidi’s cheeks. "Oh no, Lord no.”
Doctor Carter’s shoulders slumped, clearly relieved at her denial.
“But a doctor with a midwife as a partner, that is very… modern of you."
He gave her a half shrug and glanced at his pocket watch. “I should return to my duties.”
He bought the tray of food over to Heidi.
"Eat the broth and bread and we will speak when I return." He was almost through the doorway when he turned around. "For your convenience, the chamber pot is under the cot. Mrs. Newton will clean it out later."
"What?!" Heidi dropped the spoon she’d been in the process of picking up. If crashing her car was horrible, then this was truly hell.
"We have a privy at the back of our property. We are lucky, as my duties require many visitors of differing health; but I would suggest you use the chamber pot. It will not be easy to escort you across the courtyard."
Heidi swallowed, imagining the petri-dish of grossness that likely inhabited the pot beneath the bed. "I can't."
The doctor frowned, putting his bag back down. "Whatever do you mean, ‘you can't’?"
Heidi’s stomach twisted as she stared down at the dark broth in the bowl. "I have this fear—"
Her words trailed off. There was no right way to say it within the context of this place and time.
Screw it.
"I'm a germophobe. I can't use a chamber pot."
"I do not understand."
Frustration mounted as Heidi struggled to keep hold on her temper. She’d lost it before and didn’t want to anger the man if he was delusional; but Heidi was reaching her breaking point.
As simply as she could, Heidi tried to describe her disorder to the doctor, only remembering halfway through that he wouldn't even know what a germ was.
She explained germ theory and bacteria and how they cause disease and that she literally could not use the chamber pot. Using something likely covered in millions of disease-ridden bacteria was unthinkable.
Tears burned her eyes, but she managed to keep them contained.
The doctor was quiet for several moments, as though deep in thought. "How would you suggest the clinic be cleaned then?"
Heidi sighed. "We can talk about that later; but you see that I cannot use the chamber pot now, surly."
"Indeed.” He scratched the back of his neck absently. “I will make Mrs. Newton aware, so that when Mrs. Carter returns, she will know how to tend to your needs.”
Heidi spotted her messenger bag filled with cleaning supplies. Even if they were half empty, they would still be useful for what she needed. She could survive for a few days with the gear she’d carried from her wrecked car.
"I have the means to sanitize your privy and the surgery,” she said, hoping the offer of friendship would ease the tension between them. “If you will permit me, I'll take care of such things while I remain here, if you'll allow me use of the kitchen fires. Boiling instruments will kill germs, and they need a full boil for a couple of minutes for sanitation’s sake." She wasn’t entirely sure about that, but… the longer the better.
The doctor looked skeptical. “This will use a lot of fuel.”
"But if it prevents illness, wouldn't that be helpful?"
"I make my money by healing, you remember?"
Heidi frowned, trying to think of the situation in terms he would understand. "If your patients know you for healing them, and keeping them from secondary infections, your good name will spread, and wouldn't that be a better thing than making money on return visits?"
He considered her. When he laughed, a warm and quick, barking sound, Heidi almost yelped in surprise.
"You are shrewd, Miss Meldrum. Very well, I will leave instructions with Mrs. Newton to follow your advice for the day."
With that, the doctor left the clinic, leaving Heidi to lean over the edge of the cot and find the aforementioned chamber pot.
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A-Z Survey
A!
What is your AGE?
20
Have you ever been to ALASKA?
Nope
Do you want to go to AFRICA?
I don’t know, maybe one day.
What is one of your biggest ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
Graduating high school
When if ever was the last time you were on an AIRPLANE?
March of last year
Have you ever eaten ARUGULA?
No
What is your favorite ANIMATED movie?
I don’t know... Maybe Big Hero 6?
Do you have any famous ANCESTORS?
I had some first cousins twice removed inspire hit movie about World War 2.... Does that count?
Have you ever seen an ALLIGATOR?
Not in real life.
Have you ever sprained your ANKLE?
I’ve fractured it.
When was the last time you had a doctor APPOINTMENT?
August
Do you enjoy doing ART?
Sure
Have you ever gotten a celebrity’s AUTOGRAPH?
I have
Who is your favorite AUTHOR?
John Green
Have you ever AUDITIONED for anything?
No
Are you interested in ASTRONOMY?
Sure
Do/did you have good ATTENDANCE in school?
Yes
B!
When is your BIRTHDAY?
September 1st
What color is your BACKPACK?
Gray and blue
Have you ever done BALLET?
Yes
Do you know anyone who’s expecting a BABY soon?
Yes, my cousin.
Do you have BARBECUES in the summer?
I don’t have them, but I go to them.
Does your house have a BASEMENT?
Yes
Do you enjoy going to the BEACH?
Not really
What is your favorite BOOK?
The Hunger Games
What time do you usually go to BED?
Late, maybe 3?
What did you eat for BREAKFAST?
Today? A mocha frappachino.
Do you know anyone who is BLIND?
There are some blind kids at my school, but I don’t know any of them personally... Doubt it counts...
Are you wearing anything that’s the color BLUE?
Yes
Do you know what BOOMWHACKERS are?
No?
Have you ever been BLUEBERRY picking?
No
Are you wearing a BRACELET?
No
Do you like the song BRIDGE Over Troubled Water?
I’ve never heard that song.
Have you ever slept in a BUNK BED?
Yes
C!
Do you have a CAT?
No
Do you drink COFFEE?
It would depend on what kind
How much CASH is in your wallet right now?
Not saying
Do you like COUSCOUS?
It’s okay I guess
How about CHEESECAKE?
Nope
What kind of CAR do you have?
A scion, shared with my brother
What is your favorite kind of COOKIE?
Those christmas cookies with the chocolate frosting on the back
Have you ever been in a CHOIR?
Yes
Do you enjoy riding CAROUSELS?
Yes
Are you sitting in a CHAIR?
I’m in bed right now
Do you go to CHURCH?
On Christmas and Easter
What is/was your favorite CLASS in school?
Literary History was the most tolerable
Do you like COLORING books?
Meh, sure.
Who is your favorite COMPOSER?
Tchaikovsky
Do you like COWS?
They’re okay, I guess.
What was your favorite Halloween COSTUME?
The 11th Doctor
D!
Do you like DUCKS?
Sure.
What is your favorite breed of DOG?
I’m not a fan of dogs.
What would you name your DAUGHTER?
I don’t plan on having kids, but my favorite names are Veronica, Diana, Vivien, and Charlotte. Those are just the normal names, I’ve got a list for characters.
What is today’s DATE?
December 9th
Are you good at DANCING?
Yes
Do you have DECORATIONS on your bedroom walls?
Yes, wall scrolls
When was the last time you saw your DAD?
About two weeks ago
Have you seen the musical DEAR Evan Hansen?
No
Have you ever seen a DEER in your yard?
Nope
Do you own any DIAMOND jewelry?
Not real diamonds...
Do you like DOCUMENTARY films?
Sometimes
Does your house have a DECK?
Yes
What’s your favorite thing to eat for DINNER?
Chicken
How about for DESSERT?
Ice cream
Have you ever lived in a DORM?
I live in one now
What’s the last DREAM you remember having?
Something about aliens... I’m not sure.
E!
How do you like your EGGS?
I don’t.
Are your EARS pierced?
Yes
Have you ever seen an ECLIPSE?
On TV....
What is an activity you ENJOY?
Writing
Is your favorite animal an ELEPHANT?
No
When is the last time you rode in an ELEVATOR?:
Thursday
Do you know anyone named ELIZABETH?
Yes
Do you believe that everyone should have EQUAL rights?
Yes
Have you ever been in an EARTHQUAKE?
I have
Are you EXCITED about anything?
For the end of finals
Do you get a lot of EXERCISE?
No
F!
Have you ever been to FLORIDA?
Yes
Do you like FISH?
No
Have you ever been to the FAIR?
Yes
Who was the last FRIEND you hung out with?
Ashley
Do you like FIREFLIES?
Yes!
Have you ever wished you could FLY?
Sure, then I wouldn’t have to drive.
Do you like FROGS?
Ew, no.
What FOREIGN countries have you visited?
Canada...
Can you run FAST?
No way
Do you have a big FAMILY?
Yeah... Do you have any idea how many distant cousins I have????
Do you have A FACEBOOK?
Yes
Do you like FRENCH toast?
It’s okay
Have you ever been to FINLAND?
No
Are you FEMALE?
Yes
Do you know anyone who lives on a FARM?
No
G!
Do you believe in GHOSTS?
Not really
Are you good at GEOMETRY?
NOPE NOPE NOPE
What is one of your GOALS?
Publish my novel
Have you ever pet a GOAT?
Probably...
What year did you/are you going to GRADUATE high school?
2016
Are any of your GRANDPARENTS still living?
Yes
What GRADE in school was your favorite?
10th or 11th
When was the last time you gave someone a GIFT?
A few weeks ago
Have you ever seen a GRIZZLY bear?
No
If a GENIE granted you 3 wishes what would you wish for?
Unlimited money, the ability to teleport, and world peace
Does your house have a GARDEN?
Kinda
What about a GARAGE?
No
Do you like to chew GUM?
Sometimes
Have you ever done GYMNASTICS?
Yes... Wasn’t very good at it.
H!
What is your HOMETOWN?
Annapolis
When’s the last time you had a HAIRCUT?
I don’t know, Summer?
What HAND do you write with?
Right
Have you ever ridden a HORSE?
Yes
Do you like HOT chocolate?
Yes
When’s the last time you ate a HAMBURGER?
When I was young
Do you have neat HANDWRITING?
GOD NO.
What is your favorite HOLIDAY?
Thanksgiving
Do you like the musical HAMILTON?
I’ve heard some of the songs, and it seems good, but I’m hesitant to get in too deep because of a past 1776 musical phase...
Are you in HIGH school?
No
Do you enjoy HIKING?
No way
What is your HEIGHT?
5′3 and a half
Who is your HERO?
I don’t really have any single hero...
Are you HUNGRY?
Yes
I!
Do you like ICE in your water?
Not always
Are you INSIDE right now?
Yes
What’s your favorite INTERNATIONAL food?
Chinese food is good, I guess.
Have you ever been an INTERN anywhere?
No
Do you use the INTERNET a lot?
Yes
What is your favorite musical INSTRUMENT?
Piano?
What is something you’re INTERESTED in?
Writing
When was the last time you used INDEX cards?
9th grade.
Do you like the color INDIGO?
Yes
Have you ever had a job INTERVIEW?
No...
What’s your favorite ICE cream flavor?
Mint oreo
J!
Are you wearing any JEWELRY?
No
Do you like JAZZ music?
Yes
Are you JEALOUS of anyone?
No
Do you write in a JOURNAL?
Not really
What is your dream JOB?
Novelist
Do you know anyone who’s a JUDGE?
Not personally
Can you JUMP high?
No
Do you know any funny JOKES?
No, I’m more of a deadpan snarker
What does your favorite JACKET look like?
Fake tweede jacket from eleventh doctor costume
Do you know anyone named JOHN?
Yes
Have you ever played JEOPARDY?
Yes
Have you ever seen a JELLYFISH?
Yes
How about a JAGUAR?
No
K!
Do you like KALE?
Eww, no way.
Do you know anyone in KINDERGARTEN?
I don’t think so.
Aren’t KITTENS adorable?
Sure
Do you own a KEY to your house?
Yes
Do you have any KIDS?
Nope
Do you own a tea KETTLE?
No
Have you ever seen a KOALA?
No
Do you have a lot of KNOWLEDGE?
Yes. Writing is fun like that.
Have you ever worn a KIMONO?
No, but I’d like to
Do you like KEBOBS?
Wha?
Do you know anyone who’s had a KNEE replacement?
No
Are you KIND?
In general
Do you know how to KNIT?
No
Have you ever sung KARAOKE?
Yes
Do you always KNOCK before entering a room?
Yes
L!
Do the LEAVES change color where you live?
Yes
When was the last time you did LAUNDRY?
Last week
How many LANGUAGES can you speak?
Two... kinda
When was the last time you went to the LIBRARY?
A week ago
Do you know anyone who’s LEFT-handed?
Yes
When was the last time you wrote a LETTER?
A few weeks ago, for a story
Post some LYRICS from the song you’re listening to:
Not currently listening to music
Do you have a driver’s LICENSE?
No
Is there a LIGHT on near you?
Yes
Have you ever seen a LION?
No
LOOK out the nearest window. What do you see?
A road and streetlight
Do you buy LOCAL food?
Sometimes
Have you ever eaten LOBSTER?
No
How LONG is the song you’re listening to now?
Not listening to music
Do you like LEMONS?:
Not by themselves
M!
Are you good at MATH?
Nope!
What is your favorite genre of MUSIC?
Alternative, folk, indie pop, classical, show tunes
Have you received any MAIL recently?
Yes
What is your MOM’S name?
Not telling
Do you believe in MAGIC?
Not really
Do you wear MAKEUP?
Only for cosplays
Have you ever been in a MADRIGALS group?
No
Do you put MAPLE syrup on your pancakes?
Yes
What is one of your favorite MEMORIES?
Disney World!
What would you do with a MILLION dollars?
Pay off my tuition, then... I’m not sure, maybe a trip abroad?
Are there any words you often MISPRONOUNCE?
Maybe
Can you see the MOON right now?
No
Do you enjoy going to MUSEUMS?
Yeah, I very much enjoy museums
When did you last use a MICROWAVE?
Yesterday
Do you drink MILK?
Anything but skim
What were you doing at MIDNIGHT last night?
Writing an essay
Do you MISS anyone?
Yes
N!
Do you like your NEIGHBORS?
The people next door can be kind of obnoxious...
Have you ever been in the NEWSPAPER?
Yes
Do you have a NICKEL in your wallet?
I think
Is it NIGHTTIME?
Yes
Do you have any NIECES?
No
How about NEPHEWS?
No
When is the last time you wrote in a NOTEBOOK?
A few weeks ago
Have you ever been to NEW York City?
Yes
What is your favorite/lucky NUMBER?
9
What makes you NOSTALGIC?
Playing old games, listening to old music
Do you have any NICKNAMES?
Not really
Do you ever take NAPS?
Only if I’m super tired
Do you enjoy spending time in NATURE?
Not really
Do you know anyone who has a NEWFOUNDLAND (the dog)?
I don’t think so
Were you born in the NINETEEN NINETIES?
Yes
When was the last time you read a NOVEL?
Three weeks ago
O!
Do you like to eat OATMEAL?
No way
Have you ever been to the OCEAN?
Yes
Do you work in an OFFICE?
No
Are there any OAK trees in your yard?
No
Do you like OLIVES?
Black olives only. And not the calamata kind.
Have you ever seen a live ORCHESTRA?
Yes
Have you ever been to the ORTHODONTIST?
No
Are you ORGANIZED?
Haha nope
Do you like OTTERS?
Sure, I don’t have anything against otters
What is your favorite OUTFIT?
Something comfortable. And with pockets
When is the last time you were OUTSIDE?
A few hours ago
Have you ever been to The OUTBACK Steakhouse?
Yes
What is something you’re OBSESSED with?
The Hunger Games
Is there a door OPEN nearby?
No
Are you part of any ORGANIZATIONS?
Yes
P!
Do you have a PUPPY?
I don’t like dogs, so no.
Do you like PAINTING?
Sure, but I’m not very good at it.
Have you ever had a PEN PAL?
Um... Does an internet friend count if it’s not snail mail?
Do you own any PALAZZO pants?
No
What’s your favorite kind of PIZZA?
Cheese
What are you PASSIONATE about?
Writing
What’s the best PERFORMANCE you’ve ever been to?
My school’s production of “She Kills Monsters”
Do you get along with your PARENTS?
Yes
What’s the last thing you PAID for?
Hmm... Probably a book?
What kind of PHONE do you have?
Google Pixel
Can you play the PIANO?
I can’t even read music
What is your favorite kind of PIE?
Ice cream (Yes, it’s a thing.)
Is PURPLE your favorite color?
No, but I’ve been told I look good in it.
Have you ever been to a PLANETARIUM?
Yes
Do you like POETRY?
Reading it, not writing it.
Do you carry a PURSE?
Yes
Q!
Do you like answering QUESTIONS?
Sure
Is it QUIET in the room right now?
No
Have you ever made a QUILT?
No
Have you ever been in a QUARTET?
No
Did you ever collect state QUARTERS?
Yes
When did you last have a QUIZ in school?
Three days ago
What is your favorite QUOTE?
"Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” - Albert Einstein
Do you ever QUACK like a duck?
No
R!
How often do you listen to the RADIO?
I don’t usually
Do you like to READ?
Yes
Is it RAINING?
Not right now
Have you ever been to a RALLY?
Yes
Name 3 things in your REFRIGERATOR:
3 coffee cups full of milk?
Have you ever had a REHEARSAL for something?
Yes
Have you ever been to a RENAISSANCE festival?
Yes
What makes you feel RELAXED?
ASMR, sleeping in
Does your family have REUNIONS?
Not really
What is your favorite RESTAURANT?
Nando’s, Cracker Barrel, or any kind of diner.
Have you ever sat on your ROOF?
No
Do you have a ROOMMATE?
No
Do you have a Labrador or Golden RETRIEVER?
Don’t like dogs.... again
Do you know anyone who is RETIRED?
Yes
Do you like RASPBERRIES?
No
When you go to an event do you buy REFRESHMENTS?
Sometimes
S!
Have you ever been SAILING?
No
Do you ever shop at a SALVATION Army?
No
Do you like to eat free SAMPLES in the grocery store?
Sometimes
Do you have a SISTER?
No
Can you speak SPANISH?
No
What SCHOOL do you go to?
Not saying
Do you like the game SCRABBLE?
No
Have you ever been to SPAIN?
No
Have you ever been in a SPELLING bee?
No
Name someone you know who is an amazing SINGER:
Lana Del Rey
When was the last time you saw a SQUIRREL?
Today?
Does it SNOW a lot where you live?
No
Are you wearing SOCKS?
No
Do you own a SKETCHBOOK?
No
When was the last time you took a SHOWER?
A few hours ago.
Do you know the song from West Side Story called SOMEWHERE?
No
T!
Who was the last person you TEXTED?
Mom
Do you like to drink TEA?
I don’t drink tea
Have you ever played a TAMBOURINE?
Yes
Who is/was your favorite TEACHER?
I don’t really have favorites
Do you like to shop at TARGET?
No
Do you have a TAPESTRY in your room?
Apparently wall scrolls don’t count...
What’s the TEMPERATURE outside?
34 F
What is your favorite T-SHIRT?
My blue one with Phoenix
Do you own a TEDDY bear?
No
Are you a TEENAGER?
No
Are you interested in THEATER?
Yes
What TIME is it?
1:51 AM
Do you have a TRAMPOLINE?
No
Can you read music in TREBLE clef?
No
Have you ever had a pet TURTLE?
No
Have you ever TUTORED anyone?
No
U!
What is UNDER your bed?
A bunch of odds and ends
Have you ever had to wear a UNIFORM for anything?
No
When was the last time you saw your UNCLE?
Thanksgiving
Do you go to a UNIVERSITY?
Yes
Do you live in an URBAN area?
No
When was the last time you used an UMBRELLA?
I don’t know
Do you know anyone who is a UNITARIAN?
No
Have you ever been an USHER?
Yes
Can you UNDERSTAND other languages?
Kinda French
What makes you UNIQUE?
My existance
When was the last time you went UPSTAIRS?
I am upstairs...
How many months are there UNTIL your birthday?
Nine
V!
Do you know anyone who is a VEGETARIAN?
Yes
When did you last use a VACUUM cleaner?
Summer
Where is the last place you went on VACATION?
Buffalo
Do you know anyone who plays the VIOLIN?
No
Have you ever wanted to be a VETERINARIAN?
No
What countries would you like to VISIT?
England, Ireland, France, Japan
Have you ever taken VOICE lessons?
No
What was the last thing you bought from a VENDING machine?
Chips
Have you ever been to Martha’s VINEYARD?
No
How about VERMONT?
No
Do you like VANILLA ice cream?
It’s okay
Have you ever VOLUNTEERED anywhere?
Yes
Are you registered to VOTE?
Yes
Do you have perfect VISION?
Nope
W!
Do you drink a lot of WATER?
No... I should
What’s in your WALLET?
Learner’s permit, student ID, debit card, membership cards, and cash.
Do you wear a WATCH?
no
What is the WALLPAPER on your computer?
Phoenix Wright, Athena Cykes, and Apollo Justice
Have you ever read the WARRIORS books?
No
Can you WHISTLE?
No
Do you like WOLVES?
No
What is your favorite WORD?
Sonder
Is it WINDY outside?
No
Have you ever painted with WATERCOLORS?
Yes
What time did you WAKE up today?
9 AM
Are there any WATERFALLS near where you live?
No
Have you ever seen a WHALE?
No
If you have a dog does it WAG its tail a lot?
Don’t have a dog
Have you ever been to WASHINGTON, DC?
Yes
Have you ever been to a WEDDING?
Yes
X!
Have you ever had an X-RAY?
Yes
Can you play the XYLOPHONE?
Not really
Can you speak or understand XHOSA?
Wha?
Y!
Does your house have a big YARD?
No
Have you ever done YOGA?
Yes
Do you like YOGURT?
It depends on what kind
Do you have a YEARBOOK from high school?
Yes
Are you wearing anything that is the color YELLOW?
No
Have you ever had a YARD sale?
No
What YEAR were you born?
1997
Have you ever heard the song YOU Will Be Found?
Yes
Have you ever been part of a YOUTH group?
Yes
What did you do YESTERDAY?
Went to class, had bagels with friends, wrote an essay
What’s something YUMMY you ate recently?
A waffle
What’s the last YOUTUBE video you watched?
A song... Forget which one.
Z!
Have you ever seen a ZEBRA?
No
What is your ZODIAC sign?
Virgo
Are you wearing anything with a ZIPPER?
No
Have you ever seen the movie ZOOTOPIA?
Yes
Do you use ZIPLOCK bags?
Yes
Do you know anyone named ZOE?
No
Have you ever been to ZIMBABWE?
No
0 notes