Serendipitous

39.

"Well Molly, it seems as if you have an serious iron deficiency." Dr.Montgomery informs with care. I'm suddenly more relieved to know this isn't anything horribly life threatening.

"Oh. I guess there isn't really anything I can do about this, I suppose." My voice softens while my body sits up from the green cot, Glenn watches me carefully.

After my vision returned earlier I know both he and Dr.Montgomery have been keeping a close eye on me. The three of our heads turn as Shane and both of my parents enter the room. They all have concerned expressions on their faces, but I haven't help feeling irritated that Lori decided to show up, too.

"What happened?" Rick questions Glenn. Shane hurries to my side, he gently grasps my hand.

"Oh— Well-" Glenn stammers.

"Molly, are you alright?" His voice soothes any anxiety that I may of had earlier.

"Yes, I'm fine." I reply calmly.

"It's a little more serious than that." Dr.Montgomery chimes in, "You see, I'm afraid Molly has Anemia. It is a condition in which the blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells. She's got very low iron right now due to her becoming so lightheaded and blotchy vision earlier. She's going to need iron pills, red meat, and spinach. We have no problem getting her spinach, we grow enough of that. But she's going to need iron pills or some kind of red meat to truly help her body out and give it a boost."

"That's a problem." Rick runs his fingers through his hair as if becoming stressed. "Last time I checked we were living in a cave in the middle of a desert, I don't think there are any pharmacies here for miles."

"And I'm pretty sure we don't have any cows, so steak is out of the question." Glenn adds in, Rick sighs again.

"Well, what do you suggest we do?" Shane questions with a hint of bother in his voice.

"Thankfully, we have some iron skillets, she'll have to eat from those when cooked a meal. I'll make sure the kitchen staff knows that. We do happen to have a few men that left three weeks ago, they're trying to gather medical supplies out in the towns. Those towns take a couple of weeks to get to..."
Dr.Montgomery replies quietly. He removes his glasses from his fair face and scratches his silver mustache.

"So they'll be back in a few months?" Lori asks impatiently, we all turn to look at her. I frown and look away from her direction.

"Possibly." Dr. Montgomery responds.

"Ok, this is ok. We can make due with what we have for right now..." Shane breathes, he sounds like he's trying to convince himself to remain calm in this moment. "Everything is going to be fine."

"Yes, it will be." I tell him reassuringly. My eyes look up at him while giving his hand a gentle squeeze, I don't want him to worry about me.

"It'll be fine, really." I try to sound as convincing as I can. "I'll just eat from one of those cast iron skillets and make spinach my main course." Maybe my joking tone isn't helpful right now, but I'm trying to lighten the mood. Shane sighs before pulling me into a gentle hug, I lean into his torso while taking in the feeling of his arms around me.

"I'm gonna go finish in the garden." I tell him. A flash of worry flickers across his face momentarily, but I can tell he quickly tries to hide it.

"I'll be fine." I repeat. My toes lift me before I briefly place another kiss on his lips and we part ways in the hall.

My fingers gently grasp the tomato from its vine, gently setting it in the basket. Another tomato, and then some sweet potatoes in the basket as well.

"Need any help?" I look up to see Noah, his green eyes peering down at me.