Banners Daugher

Chapter 12

I wake up to pain in my arm. I sit up and remember what happened yesterday. I am rather terrified of what will happen today. I slowly get up and realize how sore I am all over I don't know if that was from training or helping people or being trapped under the rubble. 

I get ready and then realize most of my summer books have been placed on a shelf for me. I decide I need to get back on that or I will really be in trouble.  I pick a book about Geo something or other grab my notebook and a pencil and decide to read. I have only gotten to the second chapter when I hear a knock at my door.

I look up to see Dr Banner. I feel myself shrink back and want to just hide.

"Your up early" He says in a cautious tone "I would have thought you would sleep in after a day like yesterday."  

I just smile and go back to the book, if I was with Mother that is what she would want me to do so it is my safest bet.  

"What are you reading?" I hold up my book so he can see "Oh cool Geothermal Energy how did you become interested in that?"

"I'm not Its on Mothers summer list" I say giving him a polite glance and putting the book down for a minute.

"Oh so your back to reading?" He says while sitting down on the edge of my bed. 

I try my best to put on my polite face "I was distracted for two days and if I am going to accomplish what is asked of me it will take a lot more dedication on my part than what I have been showing for the last few days." I say feeling satisfied with my answer.

"Yeah but you won't know what it is like to experience things, plus you showed a lot of dedication yesterday." He says placing a hand on my arm.

I freeze that is the second time it has sounded like he is complimenting me. Is this man crazy or am I losing it? "Sorry I hope we can get over the dispute we had I will acknowledge any punishment you deem necessary." I say 

He pauses seeming to think "I was quick to react yesterday, I was just afraid of losing you." 

We both sit in silence. I don't know what to say this is so different than with Mother. She almost doesn't care that I exist unless I can boost her image in one way or another. Where as he seems to sincerely care for me.  Could I really be of value to him in some way?

"Samera," I am pulled from my thoughts "I hope you know what you did yesterday was first reclace, and foolish" He pauses "But, I am proud of you for helping those people when you could. I want you to know that I am deeply impressed with how you saved that little boys life but I never want to see you do something like that again." He pauses again as if he is thinking "So for your punishment you have to have a training session with Nat twice a week so if you ever decide to do something as foolish and reckless again you wont be risking your life as much."

I pause for a moment "I am sorry did you just say I did something good?"

"Yes, you did but I don't ever want you to do something like that again until you have trained with Nat. Deal?"

I am stunned this is not even close to what I was expecting to happen I thought I would be confined to my room for the rest of the summer, or not get music privileges. Instead he is rewarding me with letting me train with Nat? Maybe my life is changing in ways I could never have imagined maybe things will be different.

"Samera did you hear me?"

"What?" I say snapping my head up to look at him.

"I said I was thinking you and I should have a day together. What do you think?"