10/17

Episode 3, Chapter 9

Laney's whole body ached as she collapsed across one end of the sofa Monday after school.

"Oh my, baby girl, you look exhausted," Nan said, putting aside her book to focus on her granddaughter.

"Yeah, it's been a weird day," Laney, harrumphed. "And I think I'm coming down with something." Nan listened with growing confusion and concern as the teenager laid out her last twelve hours.

"Oh honey," she said, putting her hand on Laney's forehead. "I think you should call your mother. That doesn't sound good at all, and I don't like how grey and warm you are." Laney didn't feel like arguing.

"Yeah, okay. But Nan, would you please fix me something to eat? I'm starving."

"Sure thing, baby girl," Nan replied, giving Laney a little side hug, "But, you let me speak to your mother before you hang up with her, understand?" Laney nodded, pulling out her phone. Ms. Dempson answered on the third ring.

"Laney?"

"Yeah, hi, Mom."

"Hey, sweetheart, what's up, I'm a little busy at the moment," Ms. Dempson asked. "Sorry to bug you but Nan told me to call," Laney told her. She repeated the details of her day to her mother. Just as she was finishing, her Nan returned with a plate of peanut butter and banana sandwiches with the crusts cut off. It was the little things like that made her Nan the greatest grandmother on the planet, at least sometimes.

"Oh dear," her mother said when she was done. "That doesn't sound good, sweetie. What does your Nan think?"

"She wants to talk to you, hang on." Laney traded the phone to her grandmother for the plate of sandwiches. Nan told Laney's mother how pale and listless Laney looked. Laney had the feeling, between the two of them, they could work themselves into a fit if she wasn't careful. Sure enough, Laney's attention was snagged off her food by her mother's voice saying something about Urgent Care.

"Woah, hold up," she said, gesturing at her grandmother for the phone. Tapping the loud speaker, she proceeded to reason and plead her way out of a trip to an ER or clinic or anything else just as drastic. It was the night before her birthday, after all. Laney did her best to look and sound like all she needed was some rest. It took effort, but the little boost of energy from her sandwiches helped. Ms. Dempson agreed to give it the night and see how she did.

"I'll call Nancy when I hang up and tell her you won't be at school tomorrow." Her mother's best friend worked in the front office at Dan Daly High. "Depending on how you're feeling we can make your birthday breakfast a birthday brunch on the way to or from the doctor, if we need to." Since birthday breakfasts were the family tradition, Ryan already knew not to come pick her up tomorrow. "Either way, you can get some more rest."

"The doctor, on my birthday?" Laney whined. Nan patted her hand in understanding.

"The timing isn't what any of us would have asked for but if you're sick, you're sick, baby girl. We just want you to be healthy," she comforted.

"I still think we should take you tonight, but it's your body, Delaney. I'm trusting you to know when it's telling you something is serious or not and be honest with me about it," Ms Dempson said, trying not to sound like she was lecturing. Nan nodded in a show of matronly solidarity that made Laney's lips twitch. Around their house, her mother and grandmother were only ever on the same page when it came to Laney's well being, and even that was rare. The two women loved each other, but they did not like each other often.

"We'll see how you feel after dinner and a good night's rest," Ms. Dempson relented a little. "Maybe, this is just a passing bug or a late growth spurt. Actually, I think I'll call your doctor tomorrow anyway. Your annual should be coming up soon. Bumping it up a little won't hurt anything," she paused as she considered her words. "Yes, I like that idea. How does that sound sweetheart? If you're feeling better tomorrow then we will just see if we can get you an appointment in the coming weeks?" The sandwiches were gone along with most of Laney's grumpiness. Since her issue had not been with the doctor visit so much as the timing of it all, Laney agreed, hung up with her mother and took her plate to the kitchen. Back in her room, she dropped her bag beside her bookshelf and collapsed on her bed. Her mother's hand on her arm pulled her out of a deep sleep.