Benton and Frieda where sitting in chairs next to Amanda; Benton’s wife and mother to Frieda. Lance, Benton’s younger brother was quietly standing in a corner observing. Shortly after Benton came back with the bag of civet coffee; Dr. Tora had ran several tests and discovered the batch of Civet coffee that both Knights drank contained active hookworm eggs. Dr. Tora sighs, ‘if hookworm can do this to a healthy were who’s immune system is more robust then a human; then why aren’t more weres affected,’ she wonders. Putting that thought aside she get up and requests a batch of benzimidazoles. Knowing now what Amanda Knight is infected with, Dr. Tora can now treat the patient properly.
Dr. Tora and a nurse return to Amanda’s ICU room to begin treatment. As the nurse places the I.V bag containing albendazole Dr. Tora explains to the Knight family that the Civet Coffee had been contaminated with hookworm eggs. This made Benton feel sick to his stomach; he had a cup of civet coffee earlier.
“Now,” Dr. Tora begins explaining; “The drug in the i.v bag is designed to kill hookworms. The side effect is iron deficiency anemia. But that can be easily treated with folic acid and vitamin B12. Both of which Amanda will have to take for a few days after her treatment is done.” Looking at Benton, “While I’m sure you will not be suffering the same effects as your wife, it would be prudent for us to run a blood test or two to see if you also are infected.”
“Fine,” Benton answers while trying to resist the urge to throw up; “Can you take the blood here? I’d rather not have to leave Amanda alone right away.”
“Well,” Dr. Tora sighs; “technically visiting hours ended well after your wife arrived. But I see no reason why you can’t stick around for another hour or two.”
“Thank you,” Was all Benton said.
Lance being silent this entire time finally speaks up; “I should be going. I have that meeting tomorrow morning.” Lance looks at his brother thinking on what Tachibana said earlier.
Benton noticing his brother staring at him; “What is it this time?”
“No,” Lance shaking his head; “What I might say will only piss you off. Better to her it from your daughter. At least you would have enough sense to not want to strike her.” Lance high tails it out of there before Benton could react.
Benton looking confused stares at Frieda; “What was Lance on about there?”
Frieda looking nervous, “Now don’t get mad. While you were getting what you thought might be the reason for mom being sick, Tachibana asked us regarding your rapid and frequent mood changes.”
“Go on,” Benton starting to look angry.
“See,” Frieda getting testy; “as soon as you hear something you don’t like your mood does a complete one eighty. “Your happy or content one second and then you fly off the handle over a tiny detail becoming angry.”
Benton sits down staring at his wife’s prone body, “What are you trying to say Frieda.”
“Tachibana suggested that you might be Bi-polar. But we won’t know untill tests are done.”
“Are you suggesting I may be mentally deficient,” Benton’s voice starting to rise.
“Well you’re not exactly helping your case by getting angry and lashing out all the time,” Frieda driving home her point; “and it’s not mentally deficient; more along the lines of being chemically imbalanced. Or so I’ve heard.”
Benton thinks for a moment and is about to shut the argument down when Dr. Tora arrives once again to take some blood from Benton. While he is silent as he draws blood to test Benton on the possibly of being infected with hook work; Dr. Tora did overhear what was said. As he is about to leave Frieda asks a question.
“Is my mom going to be alright?”
“She should regain consciousness in a few hours. Once the medicine starts to have an effect,” Dr. Tora answers.
“One other thing Doctor,” Frieda asks; “What happens to a were if they are bi-polar?”
Dr. Tora’s face loses all hint of comfort and compassion; “if a were is bi-polar and doesn’t seek treatment;” Dr. Tora looks at Benton, “They eventually go feral. And yes it has happened. We are also susceptible to going feral through dementia and Alzheimer’s.”
“So you recommend my father getting tested then?” Frieda pushing the issue, knowing that the doctor overheard the earlier conversation with his grandmother and the recent one with Benton.
Dr. Tora looking at Benton who is clearly uncomfortable with this topic looks back at Frieda; “I would wait until your mother is better before you have this delicate conversation. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to run this blood work. I suggest you both go home now and get some rest. You can come by tomorrow to see Amanda.”
The drive home was silent; for both Benton and Frieda. While Benton was only thinking about his press conference tomorrow; where he plans to announce personally funding the construction of a new elementary school. Frieda thoughts where more worrying; ‘Mom is sick from a parasite and at any moment dad could possibly snap and try and kill me and everyone in his line of sight.’ They pull into the garage; Frieda seeing Mike Lawson’s car by the front entrance. Just as both father and daughter are about to get out Benton finally breaks the silence.
“Do you truly believe I might be Bi-Polar?”
“We’ll only know if you agree to whatever tests are needed to properly diagnose you;” Frieda answers.
Both get out of the car. As they walk into the house Frieda hugs Benton; “Please agree to the tests daddy. I don’t want to lose you. Or to see you locked away in a cage because you lost your mind.”
Tears streaming down her face; Benton doesn’t answer. But he does pick up on the fact that Frieda said ‘daddy’ and not ‘father’.
Authors note: Hookworms are prevalent in tropical areas. Since civet cats reside in southeast asia; within the tropic of cancer; it stands to reason that hookworm eggs may end up in the animals fecal matter. Albendazole is a type of benzimidazole used to treat hookworm infestation. Iron deficiency anemia is an actual side effect of the drug.