The Exception To The Rule Page 8

“Thanks, Kat, you’re the best,” James said, wrapping his arm around me and squeezing my shoulders.

  I went from being the best to almost non-existent in just a matter of seconds. James excitedly told Julian that one of the doctors swore that he was able to get game seven of the World Series on his portable TV. He invited Julian along to watch it.

  “Well, you guys have fun,” I said, feeling more like an outsider in the conversation now.

  James continued rambling, while Julian interrupted him. “I’ll talk to you later, Kat.” He looked like he was feeling the same way that I had about James right about now. But it still didn’t stop him from walking off with him like two boys headed to a frat party.

  I walked up the hill toward the cafeteria. It was now dark and the winds were picking up like it normally would before the rain started. I immediately felt a twinge of happiness as I realized tomorrow was Sunday, my day off.

  I wondered if my dad was home watching baseball too. Game seven of the World Series meant my favorite time of the year was fast approaching - late autumn. Although you would never know it being in this dreaded place, that seemed like a perpetual hot humid bowl of soup. But back at home there was just something about it that always put me in a better frame of mind. There was nothing more therapeutic then bundling up and going for a long walk on the beach late in the afternoon on a brisk November day. The summer tourists were long gone. The water always seemed a little more powerful, and the gray sky as the backdrop just added to the ferocity. The perfect ending, coming home and warming up by the fireplace with a cup of coffee.

  I was daydreaming so much I almost forgot to get Tricia’s soup. I entered the cafeteria and was surprised to see Tricia at a table all by herself eating her soup. I hurriedly grabbed a bowl for myself and sat down beside her. She looked a little better than earlier. Her normal olive colored skin tone was still very pale.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked.

  “I was dying of starvation waiting for James to get me soup,” she said sarcastically.

  “Actually that’s just what I was coming in to get for you.”

  “Are you kidding me-he asked you to get it for me?” she asked as if her feelings were hurt.

  I filled her in on what had happened with her patient and Dr. Reeves. I tried my best to defend him. I told her that he must have gotten sidetracked by it.

  “Yeah, he was sidetracked by other things, like hanging out with the guys,” she said, sounding very jealous.

  “So, I can’t believe that you of all people went off on that little weasel,” Tricia said with her light-up-a-room smile reappearing.

  “Why is everyone finding that so hard to believe?” I asked.

  “Because you are usually so quiet,” she answered, slurping her soup.

  “Yeah, well I didn’t plan on it spreading so quickly,” I said, upset with myself for letting it get that out of hand. “It was bad enough that Julian was there to witness the whole thing.”

  “Oh Julian was there?” Tricia arched her eyebrows. “What’s going on with that?”

  “With what?” I played dumb. I had never told Tricia about the kiss, the waterfall, or anything that had to do with Julian. I would have loved to share these things with her. But she had a tendency to overreact. She would be planning my wedding if I had told her. So I kept it all to myself.

  “Well, his new buddy James says that he’s quite taken with you!” She raised her eyebrows.

  Her comment piqued my curiosity. “What did he say?” I tried to come off as if I really didn’t care.

  “Just how funny you are and what a nice caring person you are,” she said in between sips of water.

  “Oh well that hardly qualifies for talking about me all the time,” I said, trying to be nonchalant.

  “Well, I’m just telling you what James said. It’s pretty obvious how he feels just by how he looks at you,” she said.

  I shook my head in disbelief. I decided to change the subject as we both began to reminisce about home. I quickly realized that Tricia was just as homesick as I was. She came from a very close-knit family. She had two older brothers and her mom and dad were divorced so in addition to her parents, she had a step-mother and step-father. I was always amazed by how well her parents and their new spouses all got along. They all had the same carefree, bubbly attitude as Tricia. That is what I liked most about her, because she provided me with a sense of balance. Every time I would stress out about something she would be right there to calm me down. She never let anything get to her, taking life at her own pace.

  We talked for hours as people entered and exited the cafeteria. We would laugh uncontrollably over something the other would say. We acted like a couple of school girls. Even though I was still a little upset over having my time cut short with Julian, Tricia helped to fill the void perfectly. In a way it was probably for the best, since I didn’t know how far that kiss would have gone. The last thing I wanted was to become Julian’s latest conquest because I was unable to control myself.

  “So what do you think James is doing tonight?” she asked, almost as if she was confessing that she really cared.

  “Don’t know,” I answered. “Do you care?” I teased.

  She smiled. “Well maybe I’m kind of seeing him in a new light,” she confessed.

  “Oh, and have you told him this?” I asked.

  “No, but tonight was a perfect example; he ditched me to go hang out with the guys,” she said.

  “Well Tricia, if he doesn’t know how you feel then he’s going to treat you as a friend.”

  “Meaning?” she seemed puzzled.

  “That you hold the same priority as his guy friends. You’ve got to claim your status as girlfriend if you want special treatment,” I said, taking a bite out of a rock-hard brownie.

  “Yeah, but I don’t want it to ruin our friendship,” she said, sounding a little disappointed.

  “Well, you have to decide if you want to cross that line,” I said, feeling like I was the last person to give advice on love and relationships given my disastrous relationship with Jake. It finally dawned on me that suddenly Jake was starting to fade into the distance. As much as I tried fooling myself, I knew exactly why.

  “Well, I guess it’s time for us to get some sleep.” Tricia said looking down at her watch.

  “Are you feeling better?” I asked.

  “Much.” She smiled.

  I knew that she wasn’t just talking about her sickness from today. She was feeling better about unloading everything that was on her mind to me. I was happy that I could be there for her.

  “Good.” I smiled back. “I really do think you should tell James.”

  “I think that you should really tell Julian.” She raised her eye-brows.

  I wasn’t even going to defend myself by saying that I didn’t have feelings for him. I knew that it was too late. Tricia was able to see right through me. Still I knew that as far as Julian and I were concerned it was better to keep those feelings inside. It wasn’t like we had any type of future beyond this. I would just enjoy the butterflies in my stomach while they lasted. Soon enough I would be home and he would be a distant memory. My stomach dropped just thinking about that, but I had to be honest with myself. Charles was right; all the pieces were in place for another heartbreak. This time instead of being surprised, I knew it was coming. As much as I tried to avoid it, I found myself being drawn to it more each day.

  Chapter 9

  I woke up feeling like I had a hangover, only I hadn’t been drinking the night before. I was finally coherent enough from my sleep stupor to remember that it was Sunday, which meant I didn’t have to jump out of bed. I rolled over realizing that I couldn’t jump out of bed even if I had tried. My head was pounding and my throat was on fire. I looked over to see that Tricia was already up and gone. I quickly grabbed my watch off the nightstand and was astounded to find that it was nine a.m. I never slept this late, even on my day off. I felt myself panic. I had so much to do
today. I had slacked off last Sunday and had not done laundry, so now I had a mountain to tackle today. Getting such a late start would now mean a battle over the only two washing machines. I stepped out of bed, sitting back down immediately as a spell of dizziness overcame me. I cannot be getting sick, I just can’t, I said to myself, realizing I had no voice. I forced myself out of bed and into the shower. I finished up when I felt like I was going to pass out from the steam. I wrapped the towel around me, sitting on the toilet to regain my balance. I quickly dressed, giving myself a glance in the mirror while I brushed my teeth. My eyes were unusually puffy with raccoon-like circles around them. I looked super pale, as if my healthy glow from the sun had faded overnight.

  I slowly gathered up my clothes, shoving as much as I could fit into the laundry bag. I could feel the sweat pouring off me as I headed down the hallway to the laundry area. I was delighted to find one of the washing machines open. I overstuffed the washer with my clothes, so I could get them all done in one wash. I decided to go to the cafeteria for a cold drink to soothe my throat. My tank top that had been covered in sweat immediately dried up as I walked out into the hot blazing sun. The heat was unbearable. The short walk to the cafeteria seemed endless. I felt like I had crossed the finish line of a marathon by the time I reached the door.

  I was greeted by Charles, who was just walking out. “Hey stranger,” he said with a look of concern.

  He reached over, putting his hand on my head. “You are burning up!”

  “I’m fine,” I whispered, forgetting that I didn’t have a voice.

  “You are not fine, you shouldn’t be up and walking around, you should be in bed,” he scolded.

  “Open your mouth and say ahh,” he demanded.

  “Charles, I’m….” I said, straining what little voice I had left.

  Charles gave me his fatherly look - I knew that I had better do what he asked. I opened up my mouth. He pulled a small flashlight out of his pocket looking in the back of my throat.

  “You have strep; it’s clear just by looking at your throat,” he said. “I have to get you some antibiotics and you need to get into bed,” he continued.

  I shook my head, unable to talk. I tried to signal that I had no intention of spending the day in bed.

  “Hey Charles.” This time James’ voice was a welcome distraction. I waited patiently for Charles to get wrapped up in a conversation with him. My plan was to sneak away into the cafeteria to get my drink without being sequestered to bed. It was starting to work as Charles began chatting with him. I moved sneakily, almost getting my hand on the door until Charles grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

  I sighed in defeat. I noticed James checking me out oddly.

  “What?” I mouthed as I shot him a dirty look.

  “What the heck happened to you?” he asked. “You look horrible!”

  “Thanks,” I mouthed, not able to get the words out.

  “Sorry, but you look really sick,” he said, now sounding concerned. “Maybe you lost your voice from all the yelling you did last night,” he joked.

  “Yelling?” Charles curiously raised his eyebrow.

  I shook my head at James as he explained to Charles about how I laid into Dr. Reeves yesterday. Watching Charles’ expression, I could tell that he was as surprised as everyone else by my outburst.

  “Well good for her, nobody should talk to her that way,” Charles said.

  “Are you ready? We’re running late,” James asked.

  Charles looked at me and then at James. They began to discuss the situation, as if I wasn’t even there. Charles had committed himself to going over to the other village and helping James. Tricia was gone as well, attending a last minute all-day seminar. Charles seemed to be in a quandary because there was no one here to look after me. I couldn’t believe my ears –¬¬¬¬ I didn’t need a babysitter.

  “Charles, please just….” I started to get out before he put his hand up for me to stop.

  I spotted Julian off in the distance talking to a few of the villagers. I was hoping that I was delirious when I heard James yell over to him. I was shaking my head in protest at James, knowing exactly what his intentions were. I placed my hands on my temples trying to stop my throbbing head.

  “What’s up?” Julian asked as he walked over.

  “Kat, are you okay?” he asked. “I didn’t even realize that was you.”

  I couldn’t answer; my voice just wouldn’t let me. I tried my hardest to tell him I was fine.

  “She’s not fine, Julian,” Charles jumped in. “She has strep, she’s burning up and she refuses to get some rest,” Charles finished, explaining to Julian that he and James had to go to the other village. Tricia wasn’t around and he didn’t feel comfortable leaving me here alone.

  “Are you going to be around for most of the day?” Charles asked.

  “Yes, I just have a few more patients I have to check up on and I’m free for the rest of the day,” he said.

  “Would you mind looking in on her for me while I’m gone?” Charles asked.

  I felt so foolish, like a little kid needing to be babysat. I tried one last time to express myself. “I don’t need a babysitter,” I managed to get out in an almost-audible tone.

  Charles continued ignoring me, making me strain my voice in vain. I felt another dizzy spell as I clumsily sat down on the wooden bench near where I was standing. James was the closest to where I stood. He rushed over to sit down next to me.

  “Kat, are you okay?” he asked, grabbing my arm.

  I was still trying to get my bearings before nodding my head yes. Julian immediately came over, bending down to touch my head. He gazed at me intently with his beautiful eyes, making me feel faint again.

  “Wow, she is burning up,” he said, turning to Charles.

  “Yes, I know; I’m afraid I’m going to have to cancel,” Charles said to James.

  “No, it’s okay; I’ll take care of her,” Julian said all too willingly. “I’ll get her some antibiotics and make sure that she doesn’t go anywhere.” Charles seemed to be content with that.

  “James, get her into bed,” Charles ordered.

  “No problem,” James laughed as he immaturely took Charles’s comment out of context.

  Charles shook his head in disdain at James as I mouthed to him that I needed water; my whole reason for getting myself into this mess.

  “Okay, I will bring water to you,” he said.

  James walked me to my room. He grabbed on to my arm a couple of times when I found myself becoming dizzy again. I got into my bed, wanting to close my eyes more than anything. He turned on the fan for me as Charles entered the room. He had two aspirins, my first dose of antibiotics, and my much-awaited bottle of water. Swallowing the pills felt like a piece of hot lava going down my throat. I had treated tons of kids for strep throat, but this was the first time that I could ever remember having it. I was a lot more sympathetic to those poor kids now, experiencing just how painful it was. I motioned to James to bring me my magazine that was on the dresser. I had to try to find something to keep my mind occupied. Being sick and in this depressing room with no television was going to feel like a day of solitary confinement.

  “Are you sure you are going to be okay?” Charles asked as they were readying themselves to leave.

  “Yes,” I mouthed as he reluctantly walked out the door.

  I propped my pillows up against the back of the bed, taking another torturous sip of water. I began to fumble through the pages of the magazine, unable to fight my heavy eyes. I finally gave in, falling into a deep sleep. I awoke feeling somewhat better. My headache was gone, but unfortunately the pain in my throat was not. I was soaking wet from the fever breaking and was starting to get the chills. I decided to jump in the shower. The warm water felt good as I let it envelope my skin. I broke free from my shower coma and dried off when I began to feel a little queasy from the sulfur smell of the water. I was going through my dresser to grab something to wear. I was down to
my last pair of shorts, jogging my memory that I had clothes in the washer. I quickly threw on the only two articles of clothing left in my drawer. I slowly made my way to the laundry room and threw everything into the dryer.

  I hurried out of the room and smiled when I saw Julian as I turned the corner. Then I remembered that Charles had put him in charge of babysitting me for the day.

  “Kat, what are you doing out of bed?” he asked.

  “I had to put my clothes…”

  He signaled for me to stop straining my voice. “You’re doing laundry?” he asked with a surprised tone. “You were just passed out a half hour ago.”

  I was shocked and at the same time embarrassed. He had seen me sleeping, drenched in sweat. What if I was snoring? Not exactly a glamorous moment that you would want anyone to witness. Especially not a drop-dead gorgeous guy that you found yourself compellingly attracted to.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  I was a little hungry but the idea of swallowing anything put an end to that thought. I shook my head yes but then motioned to my throat, letting him know that I would rather live with the hunger then the pain of swallowing.

  “I’ll get you something that you can eat,” he said, understanding my poor attempt at sign language perfectly well. “Now get back in bed, I’ll bring it back to you,” he said in a dismissing tone.

  I went back to my room and fixed the blankets on my bed. I sat with my back up against the wall reading my magazine trying very hard to not look sick when I heard a light knock on the door.

  “Come in,” I said, pretty loudly for what little voice I had left.

  Julian entered the room with a bowl in his hand and a smile on his face. He sat down on the edge of the bed handing me the bowl. To my delight it was two large scoops of chocolate ice cream.

  “I figured I would have you all covered,” he said. “You have the coldness for your throat and you get your chocolate fix at the same time,” he added.

  I smiled with gratitude. The cold ice cream felt heavenly going down my throat. I could immediately feel it putting out the fire that had been raging all morning long. I slowly finished my ice cream while I listened to Julian talk. He began telling me about what he had been up to the past couple of weeks when he had been virtually non-existent. He explained to me there had been four more kids diagnosed with cancer in that other village. It was now becoming clear that it was what they had suspected all along, something environmental. He gave me an update on Rapula and Tau, telling me about some hurdles they had encountered. I listened intently as I was very interested in their progress. I knew how much these boys meant to Julian as well. I was enthralled in his conversation. He was providing the best medicine for me, just by his mere presence. He took a break from talking to look down at his watch.