The Childe (30 page)

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.

I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose her,
Rachel thought struggling against tears. She had lain awake all night in Sam’s arms, listening to his gentle snoring, wishing she could fall asleep.

Cat didn’t move. She just sat watching the scene in front of her.
What’s wrong with me? Why hasn’t Dr. Bane come in yet? Mom’s biting her lip, that’s never a good sign. Where is he?
As if he heard her, the door behind them swung open. Two sets of eyes watched as Dr. Bane walked to his desk and flopped down into his chair.

“Sorry to keep you ladies waiting. I was up all night at the hospital with a few patients. Now let’s discuss these results.” He pushed back his chestnut colored hair, his handsome face very serious. “I found the cause of Cat’s problems and it deals with her blood. Her red blood count is extremely low and it’s a wonder she hasn’t been passing out more frequently. I had a conference call with a friend of mine yesterday, a blood specialist, and we’ve come up with a regimen that should work, if done properly.”

“Has this person ever had a patient like Cat before?” Rachel quizzed.

“No, but he has experience with rare blood disorders, so I have confidence in him that this will work.”

“Rare blood disorder?” Cat shook her head in disbelief. “How did I get it?”

“We don’t know. There’s very little data on it. But we will begin slowly. And as we go along, we’ll figure out the right dosage to alleviate your symptoms and get you feeling normal again. Carol, could you retrieve Catherine Colvin’s medication please?” Dr. Bane asked pressing and holding the button on the intercom. “While we’re waiting, I’ll explain what you’ll need to do.”

Carol Nelson, Dr. Bane’s nurse opened the door to the basement below the office. Flipping the switch, the industrial lights illuminated the stairs and the vast room beyond. Walking across the room, passing stored medical equipment, she opened a large stainless steel door, shivering as the cold air hit her. Passing shelves full of jars, canisters, and boxes, she found herself standing in front of another stainless steel door with a numeric panel. Pressing the ten digit code, she heard the electronic lock open and pulled the door ajar. Slipping into the second room, Carol approached a huge cabinet full of large medicine bottles. Grabbing one, she turned and retraced her steps, making sure that both doors were closed and locked securely. Reaching the top of the stairs, she flipped off the light and re-entered the warm office. A knock on Dr. Bane’s office door announced her entrance. Carol smiled at Rachel and Cat as she handed her boss the bottle. “Thank you Carol, a little cold down there, huh?” Dr. Bane asked.

“Just a little,” she replied standing off to the side.

“Now, Cat, here’s the medicine I was telling you about. It’s imperative that you take one pill first thing in the morning, every morning. It has to be kept refrigerated, so reminding yourself to take it could be a little difficult. I’ll see you back in a week, or sooner if you find it is not helping. Any questions?” Both of them shook their heads and Dr. Bane watched as Carol escorted Cat and Rachel out of the office.

She slipped back moments later. “Do you think this will work?” Carol asked.

“It has too,” he replied, worry etched all over his face.

“Mom I’m so relieved!” Cat stated as they entered the car. “I thought something was really wrong with me. But I can just take a pill every day. That’s a piece of cake! Not that I’m happy about it, but it could’ve been much worse,” she joked, trying to make light of the situation.

“I know how you feel. I was up all night, worried. But Dr. Bane is such a good doctor and I trust his judgment one hundred percent. We will get a handle on this. Now here take your first dose. Use my bottle of water,” Rachel said handing a pill and the bottle from the cup holder to Cat.