Chapter 23: Leonard Tries Again
1002 Words
Ryan and Catherine sat in the Waiting Room for almost half an hour, just talking. Ryan had heard what had been said between her and Leonard, but he didn't want to embarrass her, so he didn't bring it up.
After all the effort that Catherine had put into fostering a relationship with Ryan, she was surprised by his show of empathy, and she was pleased to no end. She supposed that when he saw her vulnerability, he finally realized that she was safe and hoped that he would allow them to begin his treatment after this.
When they were about to get up, Ryan looked at Catherine and said, "Your eyes are swollen."
"Your eyes would be swollen to if you'd been crying as much as I did," Catherine replied.
Ryan smirked and said, "I never cry. It's not allowed. It's not manly!"
The boy's words made Catherine's heart ache. She thought – No nine-year-old should have to be so strong that they aren't allowed to cry.
When Ryan saw the expression on Catherine's face, he said, "You look weird."
"Be that as it may…" Catherine smiled. "I don't want to push you," she said, "but… how would you feel about me doing your examination now?"
Ryan thought about it for a minute, and then he asked, "Will it hurt?"
"We do need to do some bloodwork," Catherine admitted. "But you are a big boy. I am sure a quick pinch won't bother you!"
Ryan grinned and said, "Okay. Let's do it."
Catherine smiled and led Ryan back to his room.
Ryan had congenital heart disease. This meant that he was unlikely to live past the age of twenty. He had had several surgeries already, but none of them had helped, so he had refused any further treatment, and, unchecked, his condition only worsened. The boy's previous physician had predicted that if he didn't get his treatment back on track, he might not live past the age of fifteen – and after reviewing his file, Catherine agreed with his prognosis.
***
Catherine did not visit Campbell Castle for several days. She was avoiding Leonard, and his Grandfather was in stable enough condition that house calls weren't necessary. Furthermore, his next treatment session was supposed to happen at the hospital so that she could do a more thorough examination of him. But the old man seemed to be avoiding the hospital as diligently as she was avoiding the castle. Of course, that was perfectly reasonable. After all, most senior citizens avoided hospitals as much as possible. To them, it wasn't a place where you went to get better. Instead, it was a place where you went to die.
Unfortunately, Catherine could avoid going to Campbell Castle, but she could not prevent Leonard from contacting her, and two days after their argument in the hospital, he barged into her office with two bags in his hand. Catherine sighed and asked Leonard what he wanted.
Leonard held up the two bags and said, "You should be glad to see me. I brought lunch. Now we can eat together!"
"Well, isn't that just dandy!" Catherine exclaimed sarcastically.
Leonard ignored her sarcasm. He placed the bags on the desk, cautiously opened one up, and said, "I cooked for you. These are all of your favorite foods! If you like it, I will cook for you more often!"
Catherine watched as Leonard placed the dishes on her desk, and she was a bit startled when she realized that the food that he'd prepared was actually her favorite food. It had come from Leonard, though, so she was in no hurry to eat.
Leonard pushed the food in front of her and said, "Eat!"
Catherine eyed the food wearily. She picked up her fork and knife and began to pick at it without any enthusiasm. She took one bite, then a second, then set the cutlery down on the table. She looked at Leonard and said, "I can't eat this. It's cold."
Leonard scowled and said, "If you'd eaten it right away, it wouldn't be cold. But, here; let me heat it for you."
Catherine stood up and said, "Don't bother. I don't want to wait. I will go to the canteen." Without waiting for a reply from Leonard, she walked out of the office.
"Be like that," Leonard shouted at her. "I'm going to stay here and eat my lunch."
Not long after Catherine walked out, Ryan joined Leonard in Catherine's office. He had a sarcastic smile on his face, and his arms were crossed arrogantly across his chest. He laughed wickedly and said, "That didn't go well. She must really hate you. I mean, she talks to me – a complete stranger, but wants nothing to do with you!"
Leonard gave Ryan a dirty look and said, "It is none of your business, kid."
Ryan shrugged and said, "I was just joshin' you. If she really did hate you, though, and you kept annoying her, that would be pretty shitty of you."
Leonard was a little surprised to hear a nine-year-old curse, but he was more surprised by the wisdom in his words.
***
Catherine took the seat next to Zoey in the canteen, and the other girl was shocked to see her. She said, "Didn't that man, Leonard, bring you lunch? What are you doing here?"
Catherine sighed and said, "I don't want to hear that man's name. Especially not now, while I'm eating."
"Who?" Zoey asked innocently. "Leonard? He's been around here a lot lately. Maybe you should give him a chance?"
Catherine turned in her chair so that she didn't have to look at Zoey, and she refused to answer any of her questions.
Zoey frowned and said, "What's wrong, Miss Winston? Is it something I said? Does it have to do with Leonard?"
"Never mind!" Catherine shouted as she stood up. "Now, you've ruined my appetite. I hope you enjoy your lunch!"
Lydia: "Oh, I will. Thank you, Miss Winston."
- Writer
