“Doris! What on earth are you doing out of bed?” Beth tore Doris out of her half sleep and into the blinding daylight. She felt as if a cloud was all around her and fogging up her vision to the point that it was hard to focus on her friend. “How long have you been on this lumpy couch?”

Doris sat up when Beth helped her. “I woke up sick again. I feel so nauseous and dizzy all the time, so it kept me awake.”

Beth froze for a moment until she lightly seated herself next to Doris. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about your… symptoms.”

“I don’t think...