Tough Love

Chapter 11

Chapter 11-

                       The ride back home was quiet. Kelsey didn’t say a word, and neither did I. The whole camping trip was filled with pointless arguments. I rested my head on the window, fanning myself with my hand. “Could you set the air conditioning a little higher?” I asked in the nicest tone I was able to stir up.

“Please?” Kelsey said.

I sighed loudly. “Could you set the air conditioning a little higher, please?” I said with emphasis on the ‘please’.

“That’s better.” Kelsey said. I closed my eyes, waiting for the halt of the car when we’d finally arrive home. When I get home, I thought, I’m going to take a nice, cold shower. Then, I’m going to read a few books, maybe listen to some music afterwards… Talking about books and music, I need to go buy some new audio version of books along with new music albums. This music I’m listening to has gotten quite old… And-

“Emily? I’m talking to you.” Kelsey said in a frustrated voice.

“Huh?” I murmured, lifting my head up. “Are we here already?”

“No… Look, are you sure nothing is wrong with your hearing sense? Nothing at all?” Kelsey asked.

“Of course nothing is wrong with it! I wasn’t paying attention, I just dazed off.”

“And do you daze off often? Is daydreaming frequent in your day?” Kelsey asked curiously, jumping back into the doctor version of her.

“Would you stop with the questions? I don’t want to be your poor, poor patient that’s blind for the rest of her life. I don’t want to be questioned about my health each and every day. I just want everyone to treat me as if I’m a regular human being. Please, please stop.” My voice was now a whisper. It’s been weeks since I couldn’t see. Weeks since I could see anything.

After a few seconds, Kelsey said “Alright.”

“Thank you.” I said quietly, and we were back to silence for the rest of the car trip. When the car came to a halt, I reached down for my bag. “Thanks for the trip, it was really fun. I’ll see you at the next appointment!” I said quickly, reaching for the door. I was about to step out when Kelsey put her hand on my shoulder. “Hun, I need to talk to your parents.” Kelsey said.

“A-Alright…” I said, and closed the door as she started to park the car. We walked up the steps to the house together. The door opened right after we knocked, and I was enveloped into a warm hug. “Emily sweetheart, how are you? Did you have fun? I see you got a tan!” Mom gushed.

“It was okay.” I mumbled, stepping aside.

“Hello Mrs. Jepsen. May I come inside?” Kelsey asked, and Mom went dead quiet.

“Of course. Is anything wrong?” She asked worriedly.

“Hmm…. Kind of, I guess.” Kelsey said.

Mom led me up to my room before dashing down the stairs, meeting Kelsey and my dad into the living room. I opened the door, focusing on their soft voices. “I think Emily’s hearing senses are… decreasing.” Kelsey started.

“What?” Mom asked frantically.

“I’m not quite sure yet. On the trip, we were testing her hearing. She lost track of me when I wasn’t that far away from the werewolf hearing range... She claims she got distracted, but I don’t think so. I’m going to have her take a hearing exam for the next checkup.” Kelsey said.

“But how? How can that be?” Dad asked.

Not answering the question, Kelsey said, “Hopefully it’ll be nothing. It’ll just pass. I’m just taking precautions if anything does happen to her hearing. We’ll hopefully be able to stop it in time if something is wrong anyway.”