Chapter 2: The Evidence
Paramedic Eastman pressed the button on her shoulder radio.
"I need law enforcement to meet us at County General," she said evenly. "Possible suspicious circumstances involving a medically compromised patient."
Leo's confidence cracked for the first time that afternoon.
"Are you serious?" he demanded. "You're calling the police because of tea?"
Eastman didn't raise her voice.
"I'm calling because my patient reports progressive neurological symptoms over several months, and she says someone else has been preparing her drinks. That information deserves to be documented."
She turned back to me.
"Judith, we're taking you now."
As the stretcher rolled toward the ambulance, I caught one last glimpse of the backyard.
The grill still smoked.
Half-eaten birthday cake sat untouched on the picnic table.
Nobody was singing anymore.
The emergency department became a blur of bright lights, hurried footsteps, and clipped conversations.
An MRI was ordered almost immediately.
So were blood tests, toxicology screening, and a neurological consultation.
A detective arrived before the scans were finished.
He introduced himself as Detective Aaron Mills.
"I'm not here to accuse anyone," he said gently. "I'm here to preserve facts while memories are fresh."
He asked me to describe every symptom.
When they started.
Who lived in the house.
Who handled my food.
Who prepared my morning tea.
I answered every question.
Hours later, the neurologist entered my room carrying several images.
"I'm Dr. Shah."
He placed the scans beside my bed.
"The good news is that we know why your legs stopped working."
I held my breath.
"You have multiple lesions on your brain and spinal cord."
He paused.
"They are consistent with multiple sclerosis."
I stared at him.
"So... I wasn't imagining it."
"No."
His expression softened.
"You've been experiencing neurological attacks for months."
Tears filled my eyes.
Five months.
Five months of being called dramatic.
Lazy.
Emotional.
Attention-seeking.
Every symptom had been real.
Dr. Shah continued carefully.
"We've also ordered toxicology because the paramedic documented concerns about possible exposure to something unusual."
He folded his hands.
"Right now, we don't know whether the laboratory will find anything connected to your tea. We have to let the evidence guide us."
For the first time that day, someone wasn't asking me to prove my pain.
They were trying to understand it.
Outside my room, I heard raised voices.
Leo.
"I have every right to see my wife."
Detective Mills answered calmly.
"You may, after we finish speaking with you."
May you like
The hallway fell silent.
For the first time in years, someone else was asking Leo the questions.
