River of Bones (12 page)

An older woman in a stern gray dress and thick square heels typed on a keyboard. Her alabaster skin matched the color of her hair, clipped close to her scalp in tight curls. I cleared my throat. She peered at me over a pair of wire-rimmed glasses. “Can I help you?”

“I need to see someone. I haven't been feeling well.”

She studied me and frowned. “That would be me, I'm Dr. Lea. My secretary is ill today.” The doctor motioned for me to follow her with a wave of her hand. “Come on back, sweetie.”

I followed her into a crisp white room while Wolf waited in the lobby. After giving my medical history, I told Dr. Lea all about Benny, my swim in the pond, and my symptoms. She looked me over carefully, taking my temperature and blood pressure. She had me open my mouth and examined my tonsils and felt the glands on my neck. She began to move her hand along my back, then paused.

“When did you notice these welts?” she asked.

“Welts? I didn't know I had any.”

Dr. Lea's features were grim. “I want to take a blood test. This appears to be something I rarely see—typhoid. It's not common, but it's treatable with antibiotics. My guess is that you contracted it in the pond.”

She jotted notes in my chart. “Other than the dip in the swamp, have you been drinking any water bottled in different countries or eaten any foreign foods?”

I shook my head.

“What about the water from the tap at the old house? Have you been passing any blood?”

“No,” I said, my heart hammering. “Should I be alarmed?”

She gave me a firm look. “If it is typhoid, you should be fine as long as you take your medication. If you don't, it can progress to pneumonia or intestinal problems. This is a fairly advanced case, but I'm sure we've caught it early enough. You'll be back on your feet in no time.”

The doctor took a needle from a drawer, wrapped a large rubber band around my arm and drew a vial of blood. Setting the tube aside, she pulled a pad from her smock and wrote out a prescription. “I'm giving you a broad spectrum antibiotic that should help. I want to see you back in a few days. Sooner, if you're not improving.”

I nodded feeling a suffocating wave of anxiety ripple through me. I sucked in a quick breath.

Dr. Lea smiled and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I'm confident you will be feeling better soon, but just as a precaution, you'll want to stay clear of your little brother for awhile. Typhoid isn't contagious the same way as other viruses are, but until we know for sure what this is, we should minimize your contact with other people. Wash your hands and be sure others in your home do, as well. If your brother shows any signs of being sick, I'll want to see him right away.”

“Thank you,” I said as she left the room.

I took a deep breath to steady myself before trying to stand. A knock on the door sounded just as my feet touched down. Wolf stuck his head in. “How'd it go?”

“Not bad, I guess. At least we may have some answers.”

“What do you have?”

“She's thinking I got something from the pond and it's best if I'm not around Benny for a while. It's treatable with antibiotics, but it wouldn't be good for a toddler to get it.”

“I knew it! You went downhill so fast.”

“Oh, great, thanks.”

“That's not what I meant.” Wolf's gaze traveled over me. “You still look good, its just that ...”

My cheeks flamed.

Wolf grinned. “Hey, I made you blush. At least you have some color in your face now, even if it's bright red.”

Ugh, why did I have to be so abnormal?

“Walton's Drug Store is across the street. We can get your medicine and grab something to drink.”

“Cool, I'd die for a cherry soda right now.”

We walked in silence. My mind racing. The pavement felt harder than usual, pounding the soles of my feet as we walked. The drug store, made of brick, sat on the corner of a sleepy intersection. A loud bell jingled as we walked inside. The heavy scent of cinnamon and apple greeted us. Near the door, I spotted rows of scented candles in country themed baskets. Behind them, stood a rack of T-shirts, postcards and other souvenirs.

We found the pharmacist at the back of the store. After a short wait, we paid for the pills and Wolf bought us a twelve-pack of cherry cola. I took three capsules at once and washed them down with a sugary soda.

We drove to Wolf's house, my whole body aching. Benny played in the backyard with Mrs. Bodine and Wolf's dog. I bit my lower lip, watching my brother. I had to get well and quick. I couldn't bear to be without him. If only Mom would come home, I wouldn't have to leave him with a stranger.

Mrs. Bodine looked up as we approached. Her hands were caked with mud as she helped Benny shape sand castles in the dirt. “How did it go, dear?”

“Good, I think.” My heart sank. “But I can't be around Benny until I'm finished with my antibiotics.”

“Well, you just take your time and heal up. I can keep Benny for a couple of days and you can call or check on him whenever you like.”

“Are you sure it's not too much trouble?”

“Not at all, now I have his diaper bag and things. Is there anything he's allergic to that I need to know about? If not, I'll keep him fed, fat and happy.”

“No, nothing that I know of. He likes to take a nap around noon.”

Mrs. Bodine nodded and stood, brushing the dirt off her velour pants. “I have some soup for you on the back porch. Don't forget it. Chicken broth is just what you need.”

“That sounds great,” I said, swallowing a lump in my throat. I would've done anything to have a mother like this. “Thank you.”

“Oh, it's nothing, really.”

Wolf kissed his mom's cheek. “Thanks, Mom. See ya later.”

He ran ahead of me and Mrs. Bodine tapped me on the shoulder. “Thank you for befriending my son. He's had a very rough year. This is the first time I've seen him smile in a long time. Wolf puts on a big show, always playing the tough guy. But, deep inside, he's hurting.” Her eyes watered. “He changed after his father's death. He became such a loner. I worried he'd never be the same again. Now, thanks to you, I see the old sparkle coming back to his eyes.”

I didn't know what to say. I rubbed at the back of my neck, feeling uncomfortable.

“Dharma, come on,” Wolf called.

“Better go. Thanks again, Mrs. Bodine.”

Wolf's mom smiled and nodded as I hurried to the pickup.

Wolf opened the passenger door. I climbed in and he shut it quickly behind me. He jogged around the front of the pickup and hopped behind the wheel. He slipped the key in the ignition and with some coaxing, the truck cranked to life. We started for the old house. All the while I kept glancing at the seat beside me for Benny. I hadn't been away from him since the day he came home from the hospital. Tears welled in my eyes.

My body racked with chills. A horrible ache traveled through my legs, spread into my body and head. Hopefully soon, the pills would take effect and I could be with Benny again.

Droplets of rain splattered against the windshield, turning into a downpour. Wolf switched the wipers on high and we bumped along the gravel drive leading to the old house. Up ahead, a cloaked figure crossed the road and into the ditch on the other side. Wolf slowed and the figure turned. The hood fell away and I stared in disbelief.

Mom!

“Stop!”

Wolf stomped on the brakes. I grabbed the dash, my face inches from the windshield. The truck snaked sideways, spraying gravel and mud until it slid to an abrupt halt. The wipers beat back and forth in time to my pounding heart.

“What's wrong?” Wolf asked.

I peered out the blurry window, catching a glimpse of Mom's yellow rain slicker as she ducked into the woods. I gripped the door handle, wrenched it open and raced after her, rain splattering my face. “Mom!”

She paused, with her back to me, then continued through the dense thicket. “Mom! Wait!” I screamed, sandpapering my tender throat. “Please!”

She ignored me, forging deeper into the swampy brush.

Skidding on the wet gravel, I found my balance and charged into the thicket after her. Vines lashed at my legs and thorns tore at my flesh like claws. Shrugging off the pain, I battled through the brush. I struggled to keep up. Why was she running from me?

“Please, wait!” I croaked.

“Dharma!” Wolf yelled, his voice muddled in the heavy rain.

I couldn't stop now; I might lose her. I pressed on, stopping only briefly to catch my breath. My throat burned like I'd swallowed battery acid, every muscle ached. I stood at the backside of the pond now, across from the old mansion. Paint peeled off the rotten siding, like a serpent shedding its skin.

Wolf called again, his voice booming through the brush. I couldn't wait for him. I had to keep going. Blood streaked down my cut and stinging legs. I pressed onward, determined to find her.

The thicket opened onto a beaten path. Mom was just ahead of me now, pausing every once in a while to peer over her shoulder and smile. Why was she doing this to me? Chills attacked my body, sawing at my bones.

“Mom, please,” I begged, sounding so hoarse it came out in a rasp. I staggered past a wrought iron gate, dangling on its hinges. A few feet ahead, smoke billowed from the chimney of a shack. My head swam; my eyes didn't want to focus. The world tilted and I felt myself falling, spinning into an abyss. Soft grass broke my fall, and I stared up at angry clouds, heavy with rain. Fighting to get up, I rolled onto my side. Blurry feet rushed toward me. Mom?

I closed my eyes and darkness swallowed all.

My spirit lifted from my discarded body and I hovered above it, watching it bob up and down in the clutches of the swamp, lifeless eyes staring up at me, mouth gaping open, lips turning blue.

I jerked awake, gasping, clutching my throat and looked around. Where was I? How had I gotten here? I was sitting in an oversized chair, a quilt on my lap and an energetic fire crackling near my feet. A steamy cup of water with a green teabag brewed on an end table beside me. Wolf and an old black woman peered down at me.

“You awake, child?” The woman's soft brown eyes filled with concern. Tiny lines crisscrossing her forehead deepened.

“Where am I?”

“This is my home, honey,” she said. “I'm Ms. Sassy. Sassy Smit.”

“Where's my mom?”

Sassy planted her hands on her hips and nodded. “It was me you were chasin,' not your mama. I tried explaining, but you were in a world of your own.”

“No, I saw her,” I said hoarsely, searching the small shack. A stone fireplace dominated the room, with dented cast iron pots hanging from spikes driven into the wooden hearth. An empty rocking chair with a pale blue afghan sat beside the woodpile. No sign of my mother.

“You've been touched, child. Touched by the Devil himself. If we don't do something about it soon, it'll take you over.”

I struggled to get up and raised half way out of the chair.

Wolf placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned in close. “Please, just listen to what she has to say, Dharma. Ms. Sassy has lived here all her life. She might be able to help.”

I narrowed my eyes at the woman. “What are you talking about?”

She lowered her voice. “You've been hexed, and with an awful powerful one at that. You see, child, there is nothing stronger than an old curse. And what you've been cursed with is as old as time itself.” She picked up the cup and handed me the tea. “Drink this. It's not a cure, but it'll help.”

I picked it up and sniffed the liquid. My plugged nose wouldn't allow me to smell anything.

“Go on, child, and drink it! It ain't poison.”

Warm waves of soothing steam rose into my face. I took a small sip of the minty liquid and swallowed carefully, letting it soothe my painful throat. “Thank you.”