XII
“I would say that it’s not to see you again, but not under these circumstances,” Dr. Coen says, cracking a smile. I smile sheepishly. “Well, the good news is it’s only a cold, the bad news is it’s only a cold. Luke’s immune system is low and we’re going to have to keep him here until his fever is down, and stays down.” I nod, I figured so. “Also, I’m going to have you start logging his neutrophils, and the nurse will go over all of that. A consistently low number may result in having to have him quarantined. Luke isn’t really progressing like I had hope he would. We’re going to have to watch him more carefully now.” I nod again. “I’ll be back to check on him later. I’ll send in the nurse and she’ll go over the neutrophils and take his vitals again.” I watch her walk out, then Luke turns to me.
“I don’t want to be sick anymore,” he sighs.
“I know buddy. No one wants you to be sick anymore,” I say. He turns to face the other wall and I assume he just falls asleep.
I fall asleep too, and am woken later by Kylee. “We brought you a donut,” she says.
“Thanks,” I mumble. I take it but I don’t eat it.
“How’s he doing?” Amy asks under her breath. I shrug and watch Lauren crawl into bed with Luke.
“Said it’s just a cold but ‘just a cold’ doesn’t do a whole lot of good for kids with cancer,” I mumble back.
“I called Fox,” Kylee says.
“What’d he say?” I ask.
“He’ll come… if you call him,” she says.
“Then I guess he’s not coming.”
“Stop acting like a baby!” Amy says. Kylee and I both look over at her, eyebrows raised. “Sorry, I just hate when people are fighting.” She blushes.
“We’re not fighting, just not talking.”
“Not talking, fighting, same thing,” Kylee says, biting into my donut, “Did you want this?” Her mouth is full. I shake my head.
Mom shows up a little while later sporting a tight shirt that shows off her tiny, swollen belly. “Wow you’re already starting to show!” Amy says, hugging her. Amy has always loved Mom. She’s got a huge heart that had room for everyone.
“Oh thanks,” Mom says, laughing, “It’s only been five days since my OB-GYN appointment but I’m already itching to go.”
“How long until you can find out what you’re having?” Kylee asks.
“A little less than eight weeks,” Mom says, smiling, but then her eyebrows scrunch together, “No Fox?”
“They’re not talking,” Amy says,
“I’m hungry,” Lauren whines.
“You just ate,” I say.
“I’m still hungry,” Lauren says, folding her arms and pouting.
“We’ll eat later,” Kylee says.
“When Luke is released,” I add.
