by C. A. Kunz
“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little tired is all.”
“Well, you need to get to bed early tonight. No wild parties and staying up until ungodly hours. You know, when I was young we had to go to bed promptly at seven. That’s what growing bodies need, plenty of sleep. Now, where was I? Oh yes, Aldon and Druanna are waiting for you in the ballroom. Druanna wants to redecorate again. Poor Aldon, she’ll get her way, you can bet,” Elsie chuckled walking ahead of them. Entering the warm foyer was like taking a step back in time. A huge, sweeping staircase filled the room and medieval tapestries hung on the walls. Beautiful stone tiles and a huge sheepskin rug, which Aldon always said was “the biggest damn sheep he had ever seen,” lay at the bottom of the stairs. Four hallway entrances led to the kitchen, study, living room, dining room, and ballroom. All entrances were guarded by two suits of armor, each looked authentic. Most first time visitors had to do a double take to make sure they weren’t real.
Cat’s headache was becoming more intense. She felt faint as she followed Matt and Elsie to the ballroom, wishing she was home in bed. “Aldon! Druanna! Our visitors are here!” Elsie announced as she opened the doors. Cat stumbled into Matt as she realized the room beyond was pitch black. Suddenly, a bright light surrounded them.
“Surprise! Happy Birthday Cat!” she heard, and then saw her friends and family in front of her. Trying to smile, Cat watched as the crowd slowly faded away. Then nothing.
“Cat, wake up. Come on Cat, wake up?” a familiar male voice called her name. She opened her eyes and met Dr. Harold Bane’s golden brown eyes. “Well, there you are, finally back in this world. How are you feeling?”
“Feeling? Is this a dream?” Cat asked the gorgeous man in front of her.
“No, not a dream.”
“Where am I?”
“You’re in your great Uncle’s bedroom. You had a little, incident. So, how are you feeling?” Dr. Bane asked again.
“I’ve got a headache and I feel a little woozy,” she answered while rubbing her head.
“You’ve got a pretty big knot from the fall, so that explains the headache.”
“No, I had the headache in the car…with Matt.”
“Yeah she did. She said she felt like her blood was boiling and that her head hurt,” Matt interjected.
“Well young lady, I guess I’ll let you go home tonight. I know your parents will keep an eye on you and tomorrow we’ll have you in for some tests.” Cat tried to sit up but felt a hand gently pushing her back down.
“Sweetie, just lay down for a little while longer, and then we’ll go home,” Rachel said. Closing her eyes, Cat heard Dr. Bane reassuring her parents.
A cool hand stroked her forehead. “I’m right here Cat. Just go to sleep now darling. Aldon and Druanna want us to spend the night, so just relax and I’ll be here if you need me.” Rachel watched as Cat fell asleep, tearing up when Sam took her in his arms to comfort her.
Cat opened her eyes and noticed she was no longer in the bed. Why am I on the floor? Why is the floor so rough and what is all this white stuff breaking off in my hands? Alarmed, she turned her head and saw the bed far below her and realized she was on the ceiling. She screamed, trying to push herself away from the ceiling only to be pushed back against it by some unseen force. She fought to spin herself around. She screamed again as she heard someone running toward the room. The door handle began to turn and suddenly she tumbled down, hitting the bed full force. Cat laid there stunned and unsure.
“Cat what’s wrong? I heard screaming, what happened?” Rachel asked worriedly.
“I must’ve had a bad dream. Sorry I startled you,” Cat replied distracted, staring at the ceiling and thinking about what just happened. Rachel moved closer putting her arms around Cat, giving her a big hug.
“You’re burning up. That must’ve been some nightmare you had.” Cat simply nodded.
“Do you feel up to eating? Elsie’s prepared breakfast for everyone. It looks delicious. It’s your favorite, blueberry pancakes.”
“I think I’ll pass mom. I’m not feeling too hot at the moment. Maybe I’ll eat something in a little while.”
“All right sweetie. Well, it’ll be downstairs when you’re ready to eat.” Rachel smiled as she kissed Cat on her forehead and then left the room. Cat stared at the ceiling again, still in shock. Rachel slowly made her way down the stairs. A feeling of helplessness washed over her, realizing something just happened to Cat. She wished she knew what and wanted more than anything for Cat to confide in her.
14
Hard To Swallow
“This might feel a little cold,” Dr. Bane said as he pressed his stethoscope against Cat’s bare back. “Now take a deep breath…another…good…now another…very good. Your lungs sound great. Now I need to take your pulse,” he said taking her wrist and looking at his watch. “Well your pulse is a little fast, but that’s okay.”
Cat groaned inwardly. Of course my pulse is a little fast, look who’s taking it. I’m so glad he doesn’t read minds, because he would know I’ve had a major crush on him, even before I was interested in the opposite sex. He’s just too perfect. He looks more like a model than a doctor. A poll should be taken of the women in town to see-”
“Cat? Thought I lost you there for a moment. Headache?” Dr. Bane asked waving his hand in front of her face.
“No,” she replied blushing.
“So, I’m going to have to take some of your blood. I know you hate needles, but just bear with me.” Cat grabbed the edge of the exam table, grimacing as the needle penetrated her skin. It seemed like forever before he removed the sharp object and she could take a deep breath. “All done. That wasn’t so bad, now was it?” he chuckled softly.
“No doctor vampire! Can I have my treat now, since I missed my birthday cake last night?” Cat asked jokingly. He smiled and handed her a cherry lollipop, her favorite flavor.
“We will need to make another appointment for you when we get the results from your blood work, ok? Which should be in a couple of days or so. But if you begin feeling weird again, come and see me immediately, all right?” Nodding her head, Cat jumped down off the exam table.
“Thank you Dr. Bane,” Rachel piped up, speaking for the first time since the start of the exam. “So in a couple of days, you’ll call us, right?” she asked, her worried expression painfully visible.
“Rachel, I will call you. Cat’s fine. Now don’t you get all worked up, I don’t need another patient on my hands.” Dr. Bane laughed and smiled reassuringly.
“Come on Mrs. Worrywart, I’m going to be late for school,” Cat announced dragging her mom by the hand out of the room. Dr. Bane watched as the two walked out of his office. His smile quickly turned to a frown once he was sure they were out of sight.
“Mom, Dr. Bane doesn’t seem that worried, so you shouldn’t be either. I know it’s the mom’s job to worry, but look at me, do I look sick?” Rachel turned to look at her. “No, don’t actually look mom, you’re driving. I’d like to get to school in one piece, thank-you,” Cat joked, relieved to see her mom crack a smile.
“Wow, our roles are completely reversed. I should be the one reassuring you,” Rachel said laughing softly. “Are you sure you’re only sixteen? And poor Dr. Bane, at least I don’t go in there as often as I used to when you were a baby. I swear that man has the patience of a saint.”
“Not to mention he’s totally gorgeous,” Cat stated smiling broadly at her mom.
“Yeah he’s one fine handsome man, that’s for sure…oh my, did I just say that out loud.” Rachel blushed deeply.
“Mother! You’ve got the hots for Dr. Bane?” she asked pretending to be shocked.
“Catherine Colvin! If I wasn’t driving this car, I’d-”
“Would what, put me over your knee and spank me?” she chuckled as they came to a stop in front of the school. In one swift motion, Cat unbuckled her seatbelt, kissed her mom on the cheek and exited the vehicle before her mom could say a word. Cat grinned at h
ow thoroughly embarrassed her mom had been, which seemed fitting since Rachel had purposely tried to embarrass Cat on many occasions.
Watching Cat walk into school, Rachel’s smile faltered as she took out her cell phone to call Sam.
The library seemed deserted as Cat walked through the doors. Except for a small group of people in the far corner and the librarian, she seemed to be the only one there. She gave a warm smile to the librarian handing over her hall pass.
“Ms. Colvin, do you need help finding a particular book?” Mrs. Finch, the librarian, asked.
“No thanks, I’m just going to browse,” Cat replied.
Looking through the shelves of books, Cat thought she would never find anything to help with her book report. “I hate these damn crutches, almost as much as that hack English teacher Mrs. Rosenbaum. What do you mean I can’t use cliff notes? Why do they make them if you can’t use them? I’ve got better things to do than read stupid books!” Kirsten whined angrily to herself. Standing in the next aisle, Cat covered her mouth, trying to stifle the laughter at hearing Kirsten’s angry ramblings. She let out a little giggle as she saw Mrs. Finch hurry by her.
“Ms. Fuller, if I have to tell you one more time to be quiet, you will be sent to the office! Is that understood?” Mrs. Finch whispered crossly, pointing her frail bony finger at Kirsten. Turning on her heel, she marched back to her desk. Kirsten stuck her tongue out at her retreating back.
The room was quiet when a loud crash suddenly came from Kirsten’s aisle. “Stupid crutches, stupid crutches, stupid crutches!” Kirsten whispered in frustration.
“Do you need help?” Cat asked, watching Kirsten kick the crutch that fell on the ground with her supposed injured foot. Realizing she was putting all her weight on it, she quickly raised her foot and grabbed for the book shelf, pretending she just lost her balance.
“Ya think? You could pick up my crutch for me!” Kirsten replied with a huff.
“Of course Kirsten,” Cat replied with a sickeningly sweet smile. “So, how much longer do you have to be on those crutches? It must’ve been a really bad cramp, huh?” she inquired trying to keep a straight face while picking the crutch up.
“Until it’s healed! And it wasn’t a cramp, I pulled a muscle!” she snapped back, grabbing the crutch from Cat’s hand. “But not like it’s any of your business.”
“Well, if you don’t need anything else, I’ll be on my way then. Have a great day!” Cat’s words dripped with sarcasm.
“Yeah whatever!” Kirsten muttered back while struggling to regain her balance on the crutches.
The school day flew by. Cat found herself dreading her tutoring session with Ryan. For the past several weeks she watched him laughing and joking with others, but the minute he saw her, or was with her, it was like he was one of the pod people from that one horror movie. She hated the fact he was acting so cold in their sessions. It seemed like he couldn’t wait for them to end so he could get away. If only she had told Matt to wait for her after school today, she could have canceled, but it was too late. So with much trepidation she pulled open the library door. To her surprise, Ryan was already there waiting for her at one of the tables, his notebook open. Seeing her come through the doors, he gave her a slight smile but then shied away, looking down at the table.
Well at least I got half a smile. How pathetic am I, getting excited over half a smile? She thought as she slid into the chair beside him.
“Cat, you up for studying today?”
Could that be concern on his face, she wondered. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be? What, do you have something better to do tonight?” Cat asked as she grabbed her books and started to rise from her chair not wanting to hear his answer. Grabbing her arm, he gently pulled her back into the seat.
“No, I know you haven’t been feeling well. And I thought maybe-”
“Oh that…it’s nothing,” she interrupted him.
“Okay, if you say it’s nothing, then it’s nothing. Let’s get started,” Ryan replied looking deeply into her eyes.
Cat melted. He had this way about him at times that just made her turn to jelly. Oh his piercing blue eyes, gorgeously chiseled face and body, just don’t match his personality. Guys that look like him are supposed to be jerks! Well he can be a jerk from time to time, but he’s mostly different. Why couldn’t he be like this all the time? Ugh…this hot and cold is semitorturous, she thought, trying to control her emotions.
After half an hour, Ryan suddenly closed the book, “Cat, you got this. You know these chapters like the back of your hand.”
“Well it kind of helps that Mr. Crawley isn’t as mean as he used to be…and actually teaches now.” Cat giggled. “Do you think I’m done with tutoring then Ryan?” she asked.
“No…uh no, I still think you need it,” Ryan stuttered avoiding her eyes. “I mean you’re going to get into some complicated problems here soon. And I want to be there to help you through them,” he replied.
“So do I,” she said, picking up her books and walking ahead of him so she didn’t have to hide the smile on her face.
He followed her out of the library. She knows. She knows you like her, Ryan told himself. “Do you need a ride home Cat?” he asked as he caught up with her down the hallway.
“No, I’m supposed to call my dad when I’m ready to be picked up.”
“I’ll take you home to save your dad the trip,” he said smiling.
“But Ryan you’d be going the opposite direction from your house, it’s completely out of your way,” Cat replied hoping he would tell her he didn’t mind.
“I really don’t mind, and besides I won’t take no for an answer.”
As they walked outside, Cat grabbed a hold of Ryan’s arm trying to steady herself on the slick icy side walk.
“Hey Cat, wait up!” Taylor’s voice called out from behind them. “I stopped by the library to tell you that Trish and I are taking you home. Mrs. Finch told us you had left already,” he said looking pointedly at Ryan.
“Oh, we finished early. Ryan was going to take me home so I didn’t have to bother dad,” Cat explained while trying to keep her balance.
“Well now you don’t have to go out of your way, do you Beckford? We’ll save you the drive. Come on Cat, let’s go home,” Taylor said, his eyes flashing a warning to Ryan. “I’ll take it from here Beckford. Come on Cat give me your arm. Trish can you grab the other one?”
“Hey, guys, I can walk you know!” Cat huffed.
“Mom would have my hide if you fell and hurt yourself. So be quiet and come on.”
“Thanks Ryan! See you tomorrow!” Cat yelled over her shoulder as Taylor and Trish moved her along the icy pavement.
“Later Cat,” Ryan murmured under his breath as he made his way to his car.
Two days later, at the Colvin residence, the phone rang interrupting dinner. “Hi Rachel, Harold here. I have Cat’s test results back from the lab and I would like to see her tomorrow morning at nine, if that is convenient for you? Of course, I’ll give her a note for school.”
“Harold?” Rachel whispered. “Is it bad?” her voice trembled.
“It is as we feared, but I think if we put her on their treatment, hopefully it will alleviate the problem.”
“Harold I’m so worried.”
“I know Rachel, but we’re all in this together and we must try and stay positive. Now, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“That will be fine Harold, thank you.” Rachel hung up the phone biting her lip as she walked back into the kitchen. “Cat, we have an appointment with Dr. Bane in the morning to go over your test results,” she announced as three faces looked up from their dinner plates. Rachel sat down in her seat and tried to eat, but instead found herself pushing her food around the plate.
“May I be excused?” Cat asked her plate still full of food.
“Of course,” Sam replied looking puzzled, as Cat did not ask that often, especially never before clearing her whole plate of food. After she left the room
, Taylor looked at his parents. “Did Dr. Bane say anything about the results?” Rachel shook her head, unable to speak.
“Well I know everything will work out, our little Cat will be just fine.” Sam tried to smile but failed.
Cat fell into a deep sleep early that evening. She awoke in the middle of the night breathing heavily. Her nightmare seemed so real and was more intense than ever before. She lay in a puddle of sweat. Her head was throbbing and she felt nauseous again. “This is getting really old, really fast,” she murmured walking into the bathroom. Plugging in the nightlight, she turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face. Thirsty, she filled the glass cup by her sink and drank it down all in one gulp, water dribbling down her chin. Cat thought about her appointment in the morning. She would be missing school again for it, which she guessed was sort of a plus. “What’s wrong with you Cat?” she asked her reflection in the mirror. Her contact was out and she gazed at her one amber eye. In the glow of the night light it looked golden. Pausing, she turned on the real bathroom light causing her eyes to tear up from the harsh fluorescents. When she opened them again her eye was amber, just like it had been. “You’re losing your mind Cat, you really are.” Climbing back into bed, she looked to the window. It had been awhile since Jewels had come to visit. I wonder if it’s too cold for her. It wasn’t unusual for her feline friend to stay away for a few days, but she always seemed to know when Cat needed her the most, until now. Hoping Jewels was safe and sound, her eyes drifted shut while watching the snowflakes fall outside.
Rachel sat with Cat in Dr. Bane’s office waiting for the news. She could tell Cat was nervous when she took her hand and Cat let her hold it. They both stared straight ahead watching the snow through the big glass window in the office. “If it keeps snowing like this, the plows won’t be able to keep up and we’ll get snowed in.” Rachel’s voice sounded strained to her own ears. Breakfast had been a tense affair. Sam and Taylor tried cracking jokes to make the women smile, but failed miserably.