Doctors Tachibana and Curry were both continuing their discussion about Julie’s impending surgery when Frances Twist arrived at Tora’s office. Samantha waits outside, knowing she won’t be much use to the group. Her knowledge of science begins and ends with the birds and the bees.
“Sorry I’m late. There was another matter I had to deal with.” Frances apologizes to the two. She take a moment to look at this attractive young normal with bright hair, and off season attire. If Mera Curry hadn’t been wearing that lab coat, Frances might have thought she was going to the beach.
“No, that’s alright. We all understand what it’s like, having other patients that need attention.” Tachibana said.
“Well, it wasn’t a patient exactly. But I won’t pile that on top of whatever has developed since last night.” Frances said.
Mera and Tachibana took the time to explain everything to Frances, who understood most of what they were saying. She asked a few questions, her memory of human anatomy and more specifically the brain a bit rusty. More than rusty, it was covered in several layers of dust and gathering cobwebs.
“So, you think the aneurysm is just a byproduct of the emotional disturbance Julie suffered when Eric, in a way, rejected her.” Frances surmises.
“In short, yes. The connection was broken, and her body tried to ‘heal’ it. But as there was nothing physical to heal, her brain went into overdrive and you know the rest.” Tachibana confirmed.
“Mmm, interesting. Have you seen anything like this before Dr. Curry?” Frances asked Mera.
“In my short ten years as a professional, no. And please, you can call me Mera. I gather we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other over the next few weeks.” Mera said. She didn’t like using professional titles in general. It made her feel older than she was.
“I’d say so. How is Julie doing now? Has she been asking for Eric at all?”
“No, and that’s something else that puzzles me,” Tachibana began, “Yesterday she was frantic, demanding we don’t send Eric away. But she hasn’t mentioned him once today. Aside from asking us to make sure he knows what’s going on. Not a single word. And what’s more, there was some other boy here to see her.”
“Do you have any idea who?”
“I asked Mrs. Stovall. I believe his name is Arthur. Apparently he’s the only other male weremer around Julie’s age.”
“Oh, Arthur Curtis. He’s a junior at the high school.” Frances immediately knew the boy in question. He was in Ben’s class, and the two used to be in Little League together. Arthur was a nice kid, but Frances wondered why he was suddenly visiting Julie.
“You know him?” Mera asked.
“Well not directly, my son, Ben, is the same age. So I know of him, but nothing more than his name and that he’s a decent kid from a good family.” Frances explained.
“Either way, I wonder what caused Julie’s sudden… I’m not even sure what to call it.” Tachibana brought the conversation back to the patient.
“The brain’s a mystery. Perhaps that stunt you arranged with Eric worked more than we thought. Made her more rational? Who knows.” Mara shrugged.
Of course Damien Astrophel’s earlier visit during the day. Nor did they know that he’d “healed” the broken connection in Julie’s mind. Essentially reseting the bond she felt towards Eric. A bond that was now starting to form between Julie and Arthur. Though Julie was completely unaware. She just found herself extremely flattered that one of the most popular and attractive boys in her entire school took the time to see her.
“What do you plan on doing tomorrow? Aside from the surgery that is.” Frances asked, as the group started towards Julie’s room.
“I want to run some tests before we start the surgery. Make sure nothing’s changed physically. But aside from that, I think you’ll be doing most of the work this afternoon Dr. Twist. I imagine Julie’s quite nervous about the surgery.”
“And how. Who wouldn’t be scared?” Frances thought. The idea of brain surgery would scare any rational adult. Julie couldn’t be doing that well either. Or her parents. Martin had gotten to the hospital only a few minutes before she and Samantha did. They briefly saw him making a beeline for his daughter’s room.
“Maybe he and Melissa will need some counseling too…” Frances wondered how they were coping with everything. She herself would be a wreck if something like this happened to Ben, or Samantha.
When they reached Julie’s room, the three doctors looked in to see the Stovalls in a tight hug. It looked like they’d all been crying. One quick glance at each other, and the doctors decided to give them a moment to collect themselves. They deserved to have as many moments as they wanted. Things weren’t going to get any easier from here on out.