by Rey, Solomon
“Hold on you big camel. I’ll get you another one,” Derek said.
Donna and Richard watched as Olivia drained another bottle. “Okay honey. You need to get some rest if you want to get better,” Richard advised as she nodded.
“Okay.”
Richard and Donna gave her a kiss good night. Derek being Derek, pretended to bite her feet.
“I’ll be down soon,” Richard said.
“Okay, Good night,” Olivia said. She watched as Derek ran up the stairs followed by Donna.
“Lights on or off?” Richard asked.
“Off,” she said, “Love you.”
“Love you too, Baby.”
She lay thinking for a bit till she drifted off to sleep.
* * *
The three reached the top of the stairs with Derek leading the way.
“Is it okay if I take a shower? I think I have a pile of sand in my underwear,” Derek said smiling, “It’s worked it’s way into all the nooks and crannies. Not as enjoyable as you’d think.”
Donna wanted to talk to Richard, “Go ahead, Honey, and don’t leave your dirty clothes in the bathroom, put them in the laundry room. Do you hear me?” He nodded.
They watched as he headed to the restroom. Donna took a seat at the kitchen table. Richard walked in, filling the glass coffee pot with water.
He went to the pantry to get a fresh filter. He readied the coffeemaker, then set the switch to drip.
“Would you care for some coffee?” He asked.
“Please! That sounds really good right now.”
He pulled two cups down from the cabinet. He sat down, across from her while they waited.
“When are you going to tell her?” She asked. No explanation was necessary.
“I don’t know. I’ll know when the time is right,” he said confidently.
“How do you think she’ll take it?”
“I’m not sure. Sometimes you can’t predict how a teenager is going to react, no matter how well you know them or think you know them.”
“True. I pray she handles it well.”
“Me too!” He was definetly worried. He recalled his teenage years and how difficult they were at times.
“So her tingling is really a good sign?”
“It means that her spinal cord is being repaired. The sensation she is experiencing is Chromosome ‘S’ at work. It is quickly mending her body. Her powers of healing are extraordinary. What would ordinarily take months or years, now takes hours or minutes.”
“It really is amazing.”
“Yes,” he said, matter-of-factly.
“Well, I’m going to take a shower, I’ll be back for my coffee…And no, I don’t have sand in any of my nooks and crannies,” she said smiling. He raised an eyebrow as she walked away. He admired the swaying of her hips, not to mention her shape. She glanced back, just as she was about to disappear down the hall, catching him. She grinned at him. He smiled back, as she continued to his bedroom.
Within a few minutes Derek came out, dressed in his shorts and tank, grinning from ear to ear.
“What are you smiling about?” Richard asked.
“I’m just happy she’s going to be alright.”
“Me too!”
“I was watching when you took blood. Chromosome ‘S’ is causing her skin to get like Minnie’s isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.”
“It’s happening so fast. Will you be able to take blood in the morning…I mean…Will the needle be strong enough to penetrate?”
“That sample I took, will literally be the last.”
“Wow! I can’t believe it. It was so fast.”
“Very fast,” he gave Derek a serious look, “I’m glad you are here. You will prove to be very valuable in the coming weeks. She may have difficulties adjusting to her new abilities and I’m going to rely on you to help her through.”
“Yeah, but what can I do?”
“You and her have a special relationship, which transcends the normal boy and girl friendships. You two are more soulmates than anything else. You also have this ability to make her laugh, when no one else can. We will need that. Can I count on you, no matter what she says or does, you’ll be there?”
“You can count on me,” he said chuckling, “Wow! I feel important.”
“You always have been, Derek. To Olivia, your Mom and me.”
Derek was blown away by Richard’s proclamation. He always liked Richard, who had never treated him like a kid, as most adults did. He was being true to form. The need to voice his feelings for Richard was pressing, but he didn’t sense the timing was right.
“Tomorrow should be very exciting,” Derek said.
“You are right about that.”
“Well, I’m going to bed,” he said with a yawn.
“Okay, sleep well.”
“I’ll try. I think I might have nightmares though,” he said seriously.
“Why?”
“Because Edward and Jacob will be staring at me all night long while I’m trying to sleep.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Olivia has that silly Twilight poster over her bed.”
Richard laughed, “Go to bed!” He gave Richard a hug, “See you in the morning.”
He met his mom in the hall and gave her a kiss goodnight.
Donna entered the kitchen wearing an oversized shirt that fell a couple inches above her knees. He had never seen her like this. She had never showered at his house before, So he had no assumptions on how things would be. This—he did not foresee, though he knew he could easily get used to it. His eyes were glued on her as she poured her coffee. He could see the outline of her body through the flimsy tee. She turned and walked toward him sipping her coffee. He noted her long sensual neck and inviting lips. She sat down, draping one leg over the other, causing her tee to ride up a few inches. Snap out of it Richard, he told himself. He forced himself back to being the rational person that he’d always been.
She took a sip,
“Did you enjoy your time with Derek?” She asked, blowing on her coffee. I know I caught his attention when I walked in, she thought, I wish I could have found one a little shorter.
Wow! How can she make a trival act of blowing on her coffee seem so sexy? He thought. “Always! He’s a good kid with a good sense of humor.”
“I think so!” She said, seductively taking a sip as she licked her lips, ever so slowly, while her eyes remained locked on his. She giggled to herself.
I don’t think I can handle this, he thought she’s not playing fair. He absent-mindedly wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
“Are you hot Richard?” She asked, enjoying every tantalizing moment.
“No, I’m good,” he said nervously, “But I think I’d better go to bed, just in case she has a rough night.”
“I have to get out of here—quickly, before this leads to a someplace we’re not ready to go yet.”
“Really?” She was obviously disappointed.
“Yeah,” He said as he got up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He smelled the vanilla scent in her hair, which almost convinced him to change his mind, but he didn’t want to start anything that would cause an uncomfortable situation. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Well, good night then,” she said. Damn it, she whimpered in her head.
“Goodnight,” he waved to her, as he descended the stairs.
He went to bed! Really? she thought, I shaved extra close, put perfume in all the right spots and he goes to bed. Amazing!
CHAPTER XVII
Richard had been sleeping next to Olivia on top of her blanket. He was awakened by her sudden jerking movements. She moaned and groaned, twisted and turned. It was clear to him she was having a nightmare. This was unusual for her. She would occasionally have a bad dream, but nothing that would cause the mental anguish that she was obviously experiencing.
He had dimmed the lights before he went to bed. This allowed him to observe the te
nsion in her face morph into fear. He held her hand, hoping to calm her. It worked temporarily, then her fingers closed on his hand; her grip-like a vise. The pain was intense. He fought the need to scream. He didn’t want to startle her, afraid she might cause him more pain. He fought with his other hand to pry her fingers loose to no avail. He felt multiple bones break before she let go on her own. He laid next to Olivia in pain, waiting for it to subside.
* * *
Richard lumbered into his room, where Donna slept soundly. Moonlight shone through the window, illuminating her face. He stood next to her hating to wake her, but he had no choice.
“Donna,” he whispered, gently nudging her. No movement. “Donna,” he prodded her a little harder. Her eyes began to flutter.
“Richard!” She wiped the sleep out of her eyes, “What’s wrong?”
“I need your help,” his voice was different—labored.
“What…what’s going on?” She sat up to look at him. He shut the door and switched on the lights. He held his hand up. “Oh my God! What happened?”
It was black and blue; swollen and shaking. He filled her in on the details.
“You need to take me to the E.R.?”
“Sure, let me get dressed,” she said with urgency. She pulled the blanket back, exposing her long legs. She opened the drawer, shuffling through the drawer searching for pants. “Should we wake Derek?” She asked pulling on a pair of jeans.
“No, let’s not. He’ll want to come,” he turned away as she changed her top. “Remember earlier, when I said I’d know the right time to tell her about Chromosome ‘S’?”
“Yeah,” she answered as she brushed her hair.
“I think the time is right,” he held up his broken hand.
* * *
Olivia woke, stretching and yawning. She noticed she’d regained the ability to move her arms. She spotted her dad laying on the floor on his side. Why didn’t he sleep on the bed, she thought, it really doesn’t look very comfortable. She was ecstatic to wake and shake her hands. Something was different; she couldn’t pin point it. It’s as though she had an energy. A new-found strength. Maybe it’s the adrenaline rush from being so excited, she thought.
She tossed the sheet to the side, exposing herself from the waist down. Her t-shirt had worked its way up through the night. She quickly pulled it down to cover herself. She scanned the room, making sure there wasn’t anyone else in there—just to be safe. She lifted her left leg, then her right. She wiggled her tiny toes. Everything was working. Thank God!
She shot out of bed, darted over to her father.
“Dad…Dad…wake up!” She said excitedly.
Her father was out cold, obviously he was tired. She decided to let him snooze. She ran up the stairs, two at a time, with ease.
She stood looking about. The house was quiet, wait! What was that sound, she thought. She turned her eyes in the direction of the noise, spotted Derek sitting on the couch; his back to her, thumbing through one of her manga books. She tiptoes over,
stifling a giggle. She bent down so her mouth was inches from his right ear. “Be sure to put it back when you’re done,” she whispered.
“Sure thing—whoa!” He shouted, as he leaped off the couch landing on his feet. He whipped around to face her. “Olivia!...don’t do that ever again!” He held his hand over his chest.
“I told you I’d get you,” she grinned at him.
“Not cool!” He said,
“Did you wake your Dad?”
“Naw…I mean I tried, but he wouldn’t get up, so I let him sleep. Where’s your Mom?”
“She’s out too,” he said as a smile appeared.
“Maybe they stayed up late getting better acquainted,” he winked at her.
“Maybe. I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” she said grinning,
“I’m starving!” She went to the kitchen, as he followed. He sat on a stool watching. She stood on her tippy-toes, reaching the top shelf for cereal.
He cleared his throat, “Hey, you might want to put some panties on, Lady Godiva.” Her t-shirt rode up, revealing the lower part of her buttocks.
“Uh…yeah, I think you have a point there,” she said casually without any sign of embarrassment. She went to her room to change out of the over-size shirt and put on fresh clothes. She was back in minutes wearing a smile of anticipation for the meal she was about to eat. “Let me at the cereal!”
She poured herself two big bowls of cereal, one right after the other. She practically swallowed them whole. They were polished off within minutes. She wasn’t close to being satisfied. She got up to look in the fridge. “There’s nothing quick to make,” she complained.
“What are you looking for?” He asked, amused by her gargantuan appetite.
“I don’t know! The cereal just wasn’t enough.” Her hunger was to be satisfied, one way or another.
“How about pancakes? I can make them,” he volunteered.
“Okay, cool!”
“Sit down and stay out of my way, if you know what’s good for you,” he ordered.
“No problem, just hurry up!”
“I will serve no pancakes until it’s time,” he said jokingly. He mixed everything together, then heated the griddle. Soon he was flipping pancakes like a pro. “How many you want?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she stared at the pile of pancakes, wanting them all. There must be twelve flapjacks there, she thought.
“Uh…give me five,” she fought the compulsion to ask for all of them.
He served the five, drowning them in Boysenberry Syrup. Just the way she liked them. Her mouth was watering. If she had to wait any longer, she would probably start chewing on her own tongue.
“Here you go,” he said holding the plate out of reach, “What’s the magic word?” she said nothing, but stared at him seethingly. He realized now is not a good time to joke. He set the plate down in front of her.
She dove right in. Derek watched her cram them into her mouth, barely taking time to chew. He stood with his mouth gaping. It’s definitely Chromosome ‘S’, he thought, I’ve never seen her eat this much-ever! “Wow! Could you eat anymore?” He asked staring at her.
“I can’t help it,” she said with her mouth full, “I’m sooo hungry!” A few more bites and she was done. Her hunger was insatiable. It wasn’t even close to being quenched. She eyed the rest of the pancakes.
“You look like a lioness about to attack a gazelle,” he said partly joking, “You want more?” He knew the answer before he asked.
“Please!” She held her plate out to him. Taking it, he placed the remainder of the cakes on it.
“Here you go. I’ll be sure to keep my fingers from getting too close to your mouth,” he said laughing.
“You’d better if you know what’s good for you,” she said smiling as she stabbed the pancakes with her fork, stuffing them into her mouth. This is so weird she thought, I don’t remember ever being this hungry, eating this much or it tasting this good. She finished her plate in record time.
“You done?” He asked.
“Yeah…I think I’m good. Thanks!”
Olivia heard a footstep at the other end of the house and smelled the slight hint of vanilla. It didn’t occur to her that before her accident she wasn’t able to smell or hear as well as she could now. She turned to greet Donna as she walked into the kitchen. “Hi!” She said cheerily with a quick wave.
Donna’s hair was up, held by a banana clip, accenting her cheekbones. She wore a comfortable robe she’d had since before Derek was born.
Seeing Olivia stopped her dead in her tracks. She was pleasantly surprised to see her up and about, acting as though yesterday’s traumatic event never occurred. The image of Olivia splayed across the rock, blood seeping from her mouth, flashed through her mind. She forced it away as fast as it came. She immediately snapped out of it, hoping Olivia hadn’t noticed.
“Hi honey! I’m so glad you’re up.” She rushed over, giving her a hug.
She had seen what Olivia had done to Richard’s hand and was wary of physical contact, until she was told about Chromosome ‘S’. “You look good. How do you feel?”
“Good,” she said, stretching her arms up, “Surprisingly, good!” Donna shot a quick glance at Derek.
“I made her a bunch of pancakes ‘cuz she was starving.”
“They were good…really good!” Olivia said.
“Is your father awake?”
“No, but we can go down and wake him, if you want,” she suggested.
“I think we should. I’m sure he will want to see that you’re okay,” Donna said.
* * *
They entered the lab, Richard was still where Olivia had left him. “I don’t know why he slept on the floor,” Olivia said.
Donna knew, but wasn’t about to say. She would leave it up to Richard. She stood over Richard, who lay on his side, head on a pillow with his blanket covering him up to his neck. He looked uncomfortable. “Donna shook him, “Richard…Richard,” she said as
the kids watched. She knew the pain killers he had taken were the reason for his sound sleep.
He slowly opened his eyes, to find Donna’s beautiful smiling face. I could really get used to this, he thought. He was disoriented as to why he was on the floor. Olivia! He thought, as he leaped up to find her gone.
“Hi!” Olivia said, “Looking for−.” Her eyes and Derek’s swept to Richard’s left hand.
“What happened?” They asked in unison.
Donna was curious how Richard was going to handle this.
“I’ll tell you guys all about it, but first we need to sit down and talk,” he said, motioning for everyone to take a seat. He remained standing. He thought better while moving, he paced back and forth, trying to come up with the right words.
“Dad, what’s going on?” she asked as he stretched.
“Okay…yesterday…at the beach—you were hurt badly. Technically…you were critically injured.”