The hot Florida sun felt pleasant against Sarah's arm where it peeked out from under the beach umbrella. Her husband, Mark, lay beside her, dozing off. Their young son, Leo, was busy in the sand nearby, focused on building a sprawling castle.
"Mom, look! I made a pond for my car!"
"Great job, honey!"
"Can I go in the water now? I'm all warmed up."
Leo, a cheerful blue-eyed boy, looked at his mother hopefully. Of course, she agreed. She grabbed his floaties from the beach towel, adjusted his baseball cap, and walked with her happy son into the cool, clear Atlantic.
How long they had waited for this vacation! The house renovations were finally finished, and she and Mark had managed to save up for this trip. A flight had whisked them away to the sunny coast for three whole weeks—three weeks of peace, relaxation, and joy.
Sarah floated seven-year-old Leo on a raft, laughing as he pretended to be a steamboat.
"Mom, look, I'm a whale!"
Suddenly, he leaned over the edge, took a huge gulp of seawater, and sprayed it into the air like a fountain.
"Leo, stop! Don't do that! The water is dirty."
"It's not dirty! Look, you can see all the shells on the bottom!"
"Hey there, Michael Phelps, you trying to get sick?" Mark, Leo's dad, waded over to join them. "Do you have any idea what kind of mean germs live in that water? They'll start a riot in your tummy. They'll take over and give you a fever so you have to stay in bed instead of going swimming."
Mark made a scary face and growled, making Leo erupt in giggles. He started splashing his dad, and Mark splashed back. Everyone was having a wonderful time.
***
But the next morning, Leo didn't want to get out of bed.
"I don't have any energy, Mom."
"Does something hurt?"
"No. I'll just lay here for five more minutes, then we can go to the beach."
They never made it to the beach. Leo started throwing up, and Sarah, feeling his forehead, grabbed the first-aid kit from the suitcase. She slid a thermometer under her son's arm and waited. Just as she feared—a fever. 100 degrees; not dangerously high, but high enough to ruin the day.
"Mark, you called it. He shouldn't have been gulping down that seawater yesterday."
"Do you have anything to give him?"
"No. A doctor should prescribe something and take a look. What if it's food poisoning?"
By lunchtime, they drove to a private urgent care clinic where guests from their resort received a discount. After examining the boy, the pediatrician reassured the parents.
"It's nothing serious. Just give him some electrolytes and a bland diet for three days, and it should pass."
"Could it be a stomach bug from the water?" Sarah asked. "When we were walking down the beach, we saw a pipe at the far end with water flowing out. Could it be runoff from the hotels?"
"Oh, heavens no!" the woman smiled. "You're staying at a wonderful resort. Our drainage system doesn't empty into the ocean like that. That was just a natural creek. They put it in a pipe specifically so it wouldn't wash out the asphalt on the walking paths. The vomiting and fever? He probably just got too much sun yesterday, or maybe a hot dog from a street vendor didn't sit right."
Sarah believed her. She treated her son exactly as the doctor instructed. Leo sat by the window, looking sadly at the busy, exciting street below.
"Are we still going to the old fort on the hill?"
"Yes, as soon as you feel better."
"What about the aquarium? Will we have time?"
"Of course. Does your tummy hurt?"
"A little bit. I'll be all better tomorrow!"
Sarah and Mark started buying groceries at a local supermarket. Following the pediatrician's advice, they stopped buying snacks or corn from the beach vendors. They washed all their produce with soap, and it seemed like Leo was turning a corner. He eventually begged them to go out for some fun.
"I can't go in the ocean, but I can go see the dolphins! I'm tired of staying inside. I want to go for a walk!"
Sarah gave in. To be fair, he didn't have a fever today, and he seemed to be on the mend. Vacation time was so short! Twenty-one days felt like an eternity at the start, but as the end approached, there was still so much they wanted to see.
"Listen, I don't buy that story about the creek," Mark said over breakfast. "I'm going to go take a walk over there."
"But why would she lie? She's a doctor..."
"It's obvious why. Is she really going to tell us the resort dumps sewage right into the water where people swim?"
"But they couldn't do that!"
Mark patted his wife's shoulder.
"You're a good person, Sarah. And naive. That's why you don't believe it."
Mark really did head to the far end of the beach. He put on his sneakers and, for some reason, took an empty Gatorade bottle with him. Sarah didn't argue; she was more worried about her son. Even though he was trying to act tough and energetic, she could see he wasn't right. His face was pale, and his eyes had a glassy look.
"Leo, maybe we should push the aquarium to tomorrow?"
"No! We'll wait for Dad and go right away! And I want cotton candy!"
***
That evening, things took a turn for the worse. His temperature spiked to 102, and the vomiting returned. Sarah called for an ambulance. The EMT examined the little boy and told them to pack a bag.
"He needs to go to the hospital."
"Are they going to admit him?"
"I'm not sure. It's up to the doctors there. There's a nasty stomach virus going around right now; the wards are packed."
The EMT, a kind young man, spent the whole ride instructing them on how to vacation safely in the south without catching an infection. Mark asked him about the pipes leading into the ocean.
"I walked along the shore past the main beach. There's brush and overgrowth, and I found two more pipes. Are those really just creeks?"
The medic snorted.
"Of course not! It's drainage. Where do you think the rotavirus comes from every season? The influx starts in June. Tourists use the facilities, and it all flows toward the coast. More people means more waste. Add the heat, the water warms up, and the bacteria love it. By July and August, it just explodes. Too many bacteria and too much... 'nutrients' being pumped into the water."
"But wait, sewage in the ocean? What about septic tanks or treatment plants?"
"People get lazy with septic tanks. Full treatment plants are only at the big, older state-run facilities. And even then, what kind of treatment is it? A screen to catch plastic, and that's about it. Years ago, they ran pipes nearly a mile out. They monitored them, took samples. But imagine what happens to a pipe after thirty years? It rots, it cracks. And as for fixing it—who wants to pay for that?"
"So you're saying we're swimming in... waste?" Sarah asked, her eyes wide.
"Partially, yes. The authorities try to keep order, of course. They do inspections. But you know how inspectors can be. Everyone needs money. So, never let seawater in your mouth. And make sure the kid knows it, too."
"Are there any clean beaches left?"
"Sure. The remote ones. The ones where there aren't any hotels nearby. Ask any local; they'll tell you how to get there."
The medic reached out and touched the forehead of the boy, who had dozed off in his mother's arms.
"It's high, but not critical. We'll be there in five minutes."
***
At the hospital, Leo was immediately given a shot to bring down the fever.
"We're admitting him for about five days. You'll need to bring his things," the doctor said.
"What about me?" Sarah asked. "Can I stay with him?"
"No. The pediatric ward is over capacity, so we've converted adult rooms into children's spaces. And the boy is big enough. You're a big boy, aren't you?" the doctor asked Leo.
"Yeah."
"See? Don't worry, we have a great ward. The nurses are kind, and the food is good. There's a playroom with toys and a TV where they play under supervision. And the mothers who are there with the toddlers keep an eye on everyone, too."
"Can't we treat him at home?"
"It's better not to. Look how dry his lips are. That's dehydration, and you don't mess with that. Go get the labs done, and I'll get the paperwork ready. Dad, you go get his things."
Sarah hated the idea of leaving Leo alone. But how could she ignore the doctor's logic?
"Daddy will bring you my phone. I'll call you. Be a good boy and listen to the doctors. If anyone picks on you, call me. And tell the ladies in the white coats if you need anything, okay?"
"Okay."
Leo, looking very serious, went with his mom to the lab. While they drew his blood, he didn't make a sound. He was a big boy now, and he was going to be in the hospital on his own.
Sarah's heart was in her throat. How was he doing? How many shots would he have to get?
Mark tried to distract her. "Let's go for a walk on the boardwalk."
"I don't want to."
"The beach then?"
"Mark, how can you even ask? He's in there sick, and I'm supposed to go have fun?"
"Look, don't worry. We'll visit every day and bring him whatever he wants."
"He can't have 'whatever he wants.' Only hospital food or stuff from the store. And I don't ever want to swim in that ocean again."
"I should demand a refund," Mark decided. "For the lack of sanitation."
But Sarah wasn't inspired by the idea. If they gave money back to everyone who got sick from the water...
Mark left and returned with a small medical specimen jar. "I'm going for another walk on the beach."
Sarah just lay on the sofa, consumed by worry for her son.
***
To their surprise, the hospital really was quite nice. The doctors were kind, and the nurses were attentive. Many worked double shifts, knowing the ward couldn't function without them. Leo was placed in a room with five other kids of various ages and one woman who was staying with her one-year-old. They intentionally mixed the ages so the older kids could be more responsible and there would be at least one adult woman to keep a general eye on things.
Leo was brought into the room at one in the morning and fell asleep instantly. It had been a long, emotional day. In the morning, a nurse woke them up.
"Rise and shine, team! Wash your hands and get ready for your check-ups."
She handed out thermometers and hurried to the next room. For breakfast, they served oatmeal, which Leo, of course, wouldn't touch.
"Do they have cheeseburgers here?" he asked the woman in their room.
"Of course not. All the food here is for a special diet so your tummies can heal."
Kevin, a boy sitting at their table, made a face after tasting the breakfast. "I'm not eating this. I'm going to the snack bar."
"They won't let you go to the snack bar; it's on the first floor behind the security desk."
But Kevin, a spunky ten-year-old, whispered in Leo's ear. "We'll go together. Did your mom leave you any money?"
Leo nodded. Once the morning procedures were done, the boys sat on Leo's bed. When Amy, the toddler's mom, stepped out, Kevin whispered to Leo:
"We have to watch for when the nurses aren't at the station. Then we'll make a run for it. We'll buy chips and a hot dog. I don't have any money, though. Can you cover me?"
"I guess so."
"It's a deal. I'll keep watch, you grab the cash."
For a long time, they couldn't catch a break. As if on purpose, the nurses were constantly in the hallway. Finally, Kevin spotted a window. He tugged on Leo's arm.
"Boys, where are you going?" Amy asked.
"Just to the bathroom. Leo's scared to go alone."
Leo felt a sting of annoyance. He wasn't scared! But he obediently followed the older boy. The hallway was clear. They quickly and quietly reached the ward door, peeked out, and slipped through.
"Awesome, we made it! Now, let's go down. You look up for doctors, I'll look down."
"Maybe the elevator?"
"Are you stupid? Doctors use the elevator."
They made it to the first floor, and Leo saw a lot of adults. They were crowded around different offices—some in hospital slippers, others in regular street clothes.
"Don't look scared. Just look like you know where you're going," Kevin said, taking the younger boy's hand.
He walked boldly down the hall. No one paid them any attention. To an outsider, it looked like a big brother leading a younger one—maybe to an X-ray or a lab.
"We were already here," Leo said to Kevin. "I remember that flu poster."
"Man, there are so many turns. I'm lost. Which way did we go? Right or left?"
Just as they took another step, a security guard rounded the corner. He saw the boys and picked up his pace.
"What are you boys doing down here? Where's your nurse?"
"Run!" the older boy yelled, grabbing the younger one's shirt and bolting.
Leo ran as fast as his legs would carry him. He vaguely remembered where the stairs were and didn't even look back at the guard following them. He leaped up the stairs, two at a time, not even checking for doctors. Finally, the third floor. Leo pushed the door open and burst back into the ward.
"Leo Smith! What were you doing out there?"
"My toy car rolled under the door, I was looking for it."
"You aren't allowed past that door. Keep your cars in the playroom."
Leo nodded and hurried back to his room. Kevin was already there.
"This is all your fault! You were supposed to remember the way."
"You didn't tell me to!"
"You're just a dumb little kid, aren't you? Why did I even bring you?"
Leo's feelings were hurt, and he went to his bed. I'm not a dumb little kid! Kevin's the one who's stupid.
Leo stayed mad all day. Kevin didn't come near him either. He realized he wasn't getting to the snack bar and started hanging out with Chris, a twelve-year-old in the window bed. Leo was miserable. No candy, and everyone thought he was a baby.
He would prove he wasn't a baby! Kevin would be shocked. When everyone finally fell asleep, Leo opened his eyes. He tiptoed to the door and peered into the hallway. The nurse at the station was tiredly labeling specimen jars. Then she yawned, dimmed the lights, and went into the breakroom. Leo waited ten minutes and stepped out. Everything was quiet; everyone was asleep, which meant no one would stop him from finding the snack bar. Treading softly, he reached the stairs. He listened for footsteps. Nothing. The boy began his descent. The hospital was asleep. The only noise came from the right, where ambulances were parked. Leo went left. He wandered through the corridors, memorizing every turn. A long one, then a short one. But there was no snack bar to be found. Eventually, the nice-looking walls ended. Leo pushed through a plastic door into a small hallway with painted blue walls and a floor made of old, patterned stone. There were no more doors ahead. It was a dead end.
"What are you doing here, kid?" asked a man who appeared out of nowhere, wearing a surgical mask.
"Me? Just walking. Looking out the window."
Leo was terrified; he thought he was about to be yelled at or that the guard would be called. But the man asked kindly:
"What are you in for? Are you here with your mom?"
"No. I don't know what I have."
"Well, what hurts?"
"My lips are dry. And I have germs in my tummy," Leo remembered the doctor's words.
"Dry lips, huh? That's good... I mean, that's bad, obviously. Hey, you want me to fix you up? So you can go home tomorrow?"
"Yes! Are you a real doctor? Are you going to give me a shot?"
The man chuckled and, opening a locker, pulled out a white lab coat.
"Of course I'm a doctor! I'll just change real quick. I was about to head home, but then I saw you. It's a beautiful night... Tomorrow's supposed to be sunny, and there's a show at the park with Transformers. Do you like Transformers?"
"Yeah, I love them."
"Well, then. Let's get you fixed up. You open your mouth, and I'll give you this special stuff. The medicine comes out of here and kills all those germs! You'll be better in no time. Come on, close your eyes and open your mouth."
Leo looked at the man with suspicion. The man opened a nearby door, and a foul, sickly-sweet, pungent smell hit the boy! It made Leo's stomach turn instantly. He clamped his mouth shut to keep from gagging, but the masked man leaned in closer and said:
"Come on, close your eyes so the medicine doesn't splash in them. And open wide."
Leo couldn't help it. He vomited right on the man standing in front of him. The boy opened his eyes and saw the man covered in the contents of Leo's stomach. Terrified of what would happen next, the boy turned and bolted. He was going to get in so much trouble for this! But anything was better than smelling that smell again. He raced back, recognizing the turns he had taken.
He reached the third-floor stairs. Before entering the ward, he stopped. He caught his breath so the nurses wouldn't hear him huffing and puffing, then quietly opened the door. He slipped back into his room and dived under the covers. So much for finding the snack bar.
Now Kevin would definitely call him a baby again.
***
The next morning, Leo waited for the fallout. He expected that doctor to come and yell at him. Но no one came looking! By lunchtime, it dawned on the boy—he had infected the man in the mask! If there were germs in his tummy, they were definitely on the doctor now. Leo felt a wave of guilt. He hadn't told him how sick he really was. Now that man didn't even know he was contagious.
Leo's conscience gnawed at him. What if the man didn't make it? Then again, he was a doctor; he could probably fix himself. The boy agonized for two more days before finally deciding to tell the nurse.
"Ms. Helen, I think I poisoned a man."
"What do you mean, poisoned?"
"I threw up on him. And I have those mean germs in my tummy..."
"Okay, start from the beginning. Who was this man, and why did you throw up?"
"I was going for a walk, looking for the snack bar. I met a man in that scary hallway with the blue walls."
"The morgue entrance. Great," she sighed.
"He said he was a doctor. He told me to open my mouth and close my eyes so the medicine wouldn't get in them. He went to get changed, and then a door opened and it smelled really bad. I couldn't help it, and I threw up. Right on him. He didn't have pants on, just bare legs. It got all over his legs."
The woman stared at Leo in shock. "Wait, bare legs? Are you sure you weren't dreaming?"
"No."
"I'm going to talk to the doctor, and we'll figure this out. You didn't infect him, don't worry!"
The nurse went into the staff room. A minute later, Dr. Miller came out, sounding absolutely furious.
"That no-good Smith! I'm going to have his head! Leo, come on, show me where this 'doctor' was."
Leo could barely keep up with Dr. Miller as she marched down the hall. She held his hand, and every step she took seemed to radiate pure anger. Finally, they reached that same hallway. The doctor looked through all the doors and finally found him.
"Leo, is this the man who was going to 'treat' you?"
"Yes."
"Fine. Sit on this bench for a second while I have a word with him in his office."
Leo noticed the man looked a little scared. His eyes were darting around, and he was shrinking back into his chair. But the office door closed, and Leo could only hear the muffled, sharp voice of the doctor.
"What were you thinking, you idiot? Who told you to perform procedures on a child?"
"Doc, I was just trying to help! Why do you guys make it so complicated with all your science? A little bit of diluted potassium permanganate would've cleared that stomach right up."
"Potassium permanganate? Are you out of your mind?"
"But that's how my mom always fixed us up!" the man argued, throwing his hands up. "Come on! I'm a med student, practically a doctor."
"Practically! Right now, you're a night watchman. What am I going to do with you, Nick? I should report this to the Chief, and you know it!"
"Doc, I'm sorry. I just wanted to help... and that stuff is the best. It doesn't do any harm like those antibiotics you use..."
The doctor made a frustrated gesture at the watchman, and he immediately went quiet.
"If I see you anywhere near a patient again, you're out of here and taking your home remedies with you!"
She slammed the door and walked back out to Leo.
"The man didn't mean any harm. He's just a little bit confused and wanted to treat you with old-fashioned methods."
"Oh. Is he going to be okay?"
"He'll be fine. And if he does get sick, he can treat himself."
***
Leo was discharged two days later. Happy to be out, he immediately remembered the fort.
"Are we going tomorrow?"
"No. Daddy has something important to do tomorrow; he'll be out. But you and I are going to the park."
"Yay!"
Mark had decided to find out exactly what was in that seawater. A day after his son was discharged, he went to pick up the lab results he'd commissioned. He looked at the paper and smirked. Just as he thought—E. coli levels were 50% higher than the safety limit. He took the results straight to the resort manager.
"My son got sick at your beach. I had the water near that pipe tested, and look at this. This beach needs to be closed."
"Oh, please. It's only slightly elevated. Did you transport the sample in a refrigerated cooler?"
"No."
"That explains the spike. While you were driving, the heat caused the bacteria to multiply rapidly. This test isn't proof of anything."
"But people are swimming there! Our neighbors on the same floor have a sick kid, too."
The manager, putting on a professional smile, began to deflect. He mentioned that food poisoning can happen at small diners, and that fruit should always be washed, especially if bought from local markets. He added that official tests have to be taken by accredited labs under a dozen specific conditions.
Mark left, having achieved nothing. But for the rest of the vacation, they drove to a small, secluded beach far away from any hotels.
"Mom, I know how to kill all the germs in the water!" Leo bragged. "You just have to dump a whole bucket of purple powder in. It's super strong; it fixes tummies in one day."
His parents laughed, never even asking how the boy knew that.
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