Fading Sun - Ch. 4 - Bad News

Joey sat by himself on one side of a wide mahogany desk, his body rock-rigid and his face somehow paler than usual. In a flash, his gang joined him, one following the other.  

“Joey!”

“Joey, are you okay?”

“Are you all right?”

“What’s going on?”

“Ask him,” was all Joey said, his voice low and sullen. He nodded toward the man on the other side of the desk, who introduced himself as Dr. Tyler Richardson.

Dr. Richardson was a tall, well-built, good-natured man; he looked to be at least a few years older than Chris. His skin was a dark, rich brown, as were the eyes behind his wire-rimmed glasses. His head was clean and smooth, although his face sported a nice little mustache and goatee combo. After shaking hands with Joey’s group, he invited them to all have a seat, though JC and Lance were the only ones to actually settle into the spare chairs. Chris and Justin, who likely could not have sat still if they’d tried, stood behind Joey instead; they did, however, keep their hands on Joey’s shoulders, with Justin holding the right and Chris squeezing the left. In the meantime, Lance reached for Joey’s hand and JC put his own hand on Joey’s forearm. Joey did not look at any of his companions as they did this, but he made no resistance to their touches, either.

Dr. Richardson could sense their worry and apprehension, and while he spoke to them in a kindly manner, he held nothing back. “I’ve checked Mr. Fatone over, considered his symptoms, and taken a blood sample. The results of his total blood count tell me there is a problem that calls for further investigation.”

“What kind of problem?” JC asked, and the others could tell he was making a significant effort to stay calm.

“There’s an odd shortage in his normal blood cells. This includes the white and red cells, as well as the platelets—which, of course, would explain Mr. Fatone’s unusual fatigue and bruising.” Dr. Richardson removed his glasses and polished them with a small scrap of cloth as he continued, “Results such as these allude to greater health concerns, and while I can make a few good guesses right now, we must delve into much more advanced tests to be absolutely sure.” He returned his glasses to their perch. “That’s why I’m recommending you to another hospital, one that offers some of the country’s finest staff, technology, and overall quality of care.”

“What?” Chris cried, his hand tightening on Joey. “You can’t be serious!”

“On the contrary, sir, I am quite serious. After all, I’ve worked in this field for over fifteen years. I know a health puzzle when I see it, and the people I’m sending you to will help to decipher it.”

“I don’t think I like the sound of that,” said JC grimly.

Neither Lance nor Justin said anything, but Joey felt their grips harden as well.

“I don’t mean to alarm any of you,” said Dr. Richardson as he reached for a pen and a small notepad. “Even so, what I’m seeing in Mr. Fatone concerns me, and the sooner we get to the bottom of this, the better.” He wrote something down and passed the sheet to JC, who took it with slightly trembling fingers. “This particular hospital is about a half-hour’s drive from where we are right now, and I have already taken the liberty of putting down Mr. Fatone’s name there. You may check in at any time.”

JC read the information on the paper carefully, and when he faced Dr. Richardson once more, all he said was, “Thank you, sir.” Even as he said it, he neither looked nor sounded the least bit grateful.

Now Chris, Lance, and Justin eased their hold, and Chris took a few steps back. No one knew what to say.

When Joey looked at his mates as they left the room together, he saw that their faces were stunned, almost horrified. Though he would not readily admit it, Joey was terrified, too. For that matter, “terrified” would have been a gross understatement.