Human Blend (20 page)

“I can't believe this!” Marcus grinned.
“Laney,
the
Laney,” he laughed. Julie and Eli looked at each
other; neither one understood Marcus' reaction. “Do you know how
long I've heard Uncle Gregg talk about you. 'Little lost Laney' is
all he ever mentioned at gatherings. This is unreal. I actually
began to think he made you up. He always told everyone to keep
looking for you, and here you are. Only a few states away,” Marcus
shook his head. “Wait until he finds out. How long have you been
here?” Marcus asked.

“Someone has been looking for me?” Julie
asked, still trying to comprehend everything Marcus had said.

Julie flashed back to the attic with her
father. “
Go to Uncle G's house
,” her father had said. “Uncle
G,” Julie said.

“Uncle G, Uncle Gregg, Uncle George, he goes
by all sorts of names,” Marcus said. “Look, I am sorry for my
impatience, but I'm not the one who can explain things to you.
Uncle Gregg can. All I want to do now is help you get rid of the
cancer,” Marcus told.

“Can't you tell me why my body isn't healing
itself of it?” Julie asked.

“Our bodies can only heal what is healable,”
Marcus began. “Virus, bacterial infections, broken bones, et
cetera, can all be healed on their own in time. Our bodies
accelerate that time. Cancer is different. Our bodies can cure
small bits, but not an aggressive one, like the one you took. The
cancer grows too fast and attaches itself to all the human parts,
killing them and thereby killing you,” Marcus explained.

“Human parts?” Julie questioned.

“Too long of an explanation for that one,”
Marcus said. “Right now, I want to show you how to release the rest
of the cancer. Doctor Elsworth has agreed to be on the receiving
end...” Marcus' statement was interrupted.

“No!” Julie shouted, facing Eli. “I won't do
it,” she said emphatically.

“Julie, it's okay, it doesn't affect me,” Eli
tried explaining. Julie was shaking her head.

“No! No! No! This is crazy,” she shouted,
backing up. “Is that what you were doing? Did you take some from me
and put it in Eli?” she asked Marcus, her anxiety rising.

“I was going to put it in Mr. Kimmel over
there since he is almost dead, but Doc here volunteered instead,”
Marcus told.

Julie felt her anger rising. “How dare you!”
she shouted. “What gives you the right to do that?” she glared at
Marcus.

“Fine, let it kill you,” Marcus replied,
folding his arms.

“This is insane,” Julie said, shaking.

Eli approached her. “Julie, I told you. It's
okay...” he tried convincing her.

“No, Eli, you can't. I won't... this is not
right. It's... it's... “ Julie was nearing hysteria.

“Stop,” Eli said, cupping her face and
whispering in her ear. “The cancer can't live in me. It dies. It
has no effect on me,” Eli lips brushed her cheek as she began to
calm down. “Come look inside me, you'll see,” he said kissing her
gently. Julie looked into his eyes as he brushed her tears away.
“Come see,” he said taking her hand and leading her toward the
bed.

“Nice calming technique, Doc. I'll have to
try that,” Marcus commented. Eli glared at him as he positioned
himself on the bed. Marcus laughed at his reaction.

Julie kept her eyes on Eli. “Okay, here we
go,” Marcus said, reaching for Julie's hands.

“Wait. I want to look first,” she said, and
felt her face redden.

“Fine, fine,” Marcus huffed.

Julie looked at Eli and returned the smile
she saw. She placed her hands on his arm. “Don't go in there,”
Marcus corrected and placed her hands on Eli's stomach. “It takes a
lot of energy to do this. Don't waste valuable time traveling
through unnecessary parts,” Marcus told. Julie hoped her
concentration hid the blush rising to her cheeks. She closed her
eyes and entered Eli's body.

Looking around, Julie was fascinated by what
she saw. She felt Marcus' hands on hers and sensed him inside with
her. “See those dark spots? That's the cancer. It died the instant
it entered him,” Marcus explained. “Let's do this,” Marcus
said.

“I want to look around some more,” Julie
said.

“You and the Doc can play touchy feely later.
Every minute you waste, the cancer grows inside of you,” Marcus
reiterated. “Now, look inside yourself,” Marcus instructed.

“How?” Julie asked. She heard Doctor Samson
exhale loudly.

“You're going to tell me you never looked
inside yourself before?” Marcus huffed.

“No,” Julie replied meekly. The thought had
never occurred to her.

“Just follow my essence,” Marcus said.

Julie was about to say that she didn't
understand when she sensed him move. Instinctively, she followed.
She felt herself enter her own body. “This feels weird,” she said,
and heard Marcus laugh.

“It's nothing compared to the release. You'll
see,” he said, whispering the last part in her ear.

Eli watched the two from his horizontal
position.

“See the cancer? It's already grown since I
took some from you,” Marcus noted. “Now pull, just as you do in
your patients,” Marcus explained.

Julie began the procedure. “It... it feels
strange... yet...” Julie started to say. She stopped short as a
euphoric feeling took over when the connection to Eli opened once
again.

The slight tingling she usually felt was
magnified. “Oh!” she gasped as she fought to control her
shaking.

“Erotic, isn't it?” Marcus breathed in her
ear, sending shivers through her. Julie leaned her head back
against his chest as her breathing became labored.

Marcus grinned down at Eli as Julie moaned
softly.

Eli narrowed his eyes. Marcus seemed to be
getting too much enjoyment out of it. The intensity began to fade
for Julie as the final bits were released into Doctor Elsworth. She
opened her eyes and looked down at him. “Are you okay?” she asked a
bit breathless.

“I'm fine. How do you feel?” he asked
her.

“Good.” She laughed. She removed her hands
from him and smiled.

“Everybody's happy; my work is done,” Marcus
said, rolling back down his sleeves.

Julie turned to look at him. “I still have so
many questions,” she told him.

“After work, I'll answer what I can,” he
said. “No offense, Doc, but it will be a private conversation,” he
said to Eli.

Julie looked to Eli. He had been such a good
friend to her. She hoped he would not be insulted. “Feel free to
use my office,” Eli volunteered.

Marcus looked at his watch. “I should be done
in about an hour,” he said, stepping closer to Julie. “It's a
date,” he added.

“It's a meeting,” Julie clarified.

“Whatever you say,” Marcus replied and left
the room.

“I don't trust him,” Eli said, buttoning his
shirt.

“That makes two of us,” Julie agreed. “I have
to talk with him... I have to know,” Julie said turning to Eli.
“Are you sure you are okay?” she asked.

“Will you stop worrying? I'm fine.” He
smiled.

“I want to thank you,” Julie said.

“For what?” Eli asked.

“For not letting him put the cancer in Mr.
Kimmel,” Julie explained.

“I'm glad I was a viable alternative,” he
replied.

“Can I ask you something?” Julie asked.

“I bet I can guess what that something is.”
Eli smiled.

“You can, can you?” she smiled.

“For the record: I am not an elf, but there
are similarities,” Eli said.

“I wonder what I am...” Julie said
wistfully.

“I hope he gives you the answers you seek,”
Eli said, brushing her hair back.

“I'm a little scared,” Julie said.

“Don't be. Whatever he tells you doesn't
change who you are and how you feel about things,” Eli said.

“I wish I could believe that,” she smiled
weakly.

“Believe,” Eli said, bringing his face closer
to hers. Their lips touched lightly.

The change in Mr. Kimmel's condition
prevented the moment from going further. The steady beeps had
turned into one long stream. Eli and Julie walked over to Mr.
Kimmel's bedside. Eli began a final check as Nurse Green came into
the room. He turned off the machine and pronounced the time of
death for the nurse to record. “Rest in peace, Mr. Kimmel,” Julie
said, lightly touching his hand.

“I'll talk to you later,” Julie told Eli.

Chapter Nine-- Family Reunion

Julie felt emotionally drained. The sudden
loudness of her stomach growling reminded her of a forgotten fact.
“I'm starving,” she voiced.

“That's my girl; always hungry,” Austin
said.

“Austin!” Julie shouted, melting into his
embrace.

“You were expecting someone else?” he
laughed.

“No... I just... what are you doing here?”
she asked.

“Actually, I came by to get the key to your
apartment,” Austin confessed.

“Why?” Julie asked.

“It's a surprise,” Austin whispered in her
ear.

“No way, Austin. I know you and your
surprises. Big screen televisions... stereos.... nah-ah, not
happening,” she said.

“I promise, it's nothing like that.” Austin
laughed. Julie folded her arms. “Aw, c'mon, Jules,” Austin said,
wrapping his arms around her waist. “Please, I guarantee you'll
love it,” he whispered in her ear.

“Austin,” Julie sighed.

“Nothing over the top, I swear,” he said,
nuzzling her ear.

“Can't you tell me what it is?” she asked,
her resolve quickly melting.

“Then it wouldn't be a surprise,” he said,
kissing her neck.

“You don't play fair,” Julie moaned.

“Making out in the hallway in a no-no,” Joy
sang as she passed them. Austin and Julie smiled as Joy continued
down the hall. It was then that Julie noticed Doctor Samson coming
toward them, a strange look on his face.

“Austin, is that you?” Marcus asked.

“Holy cow! Marcus, dude! What are you doing
here?” Austin smiled, shaking his hand.

“I'm starting my residency here. I forgot you
lived down this way. What are you doing here?” Marcus asked.

“My girlfriend works here,” Austin answered,
putting his arm around Julie.

Marcus looked from Austin to Julie, a puzzled
look on his face. The expression on Julie's face was similar.

“How do you two know each other?” Julie
asked.

“Marcus is my cousin,” Austin said.

“Cousin?” Julie asked, her eyes on
Marcus.

“Third... fourth... fifth cousin, um... I
forget exactly. I'm not that great on our family tree,” Austin
confessed.

“Small world.” Marcus laughed. “I'll have to
take you two out to dinner so we can catch up,” he said.

“That'd be cool, but another night. I have
something special planned for my girl tonight,” Austin
explained.

“Well, then, Julie and I could forgo our
meeting. I don't want to interfere with your special plans,” Marcus
said, a slight smile on his face.

“No, Doctor Samson, that won't be necessary.
I know how important this meeting is,” Julie tried to keep her
calm.

“A meeting? No, that's fine. I need time to
set up anyway” Austin reassured.

“Which reminds me,” Austin said, holding out
his hand. “Please?” he smiled. Julie's head was swimming. The smirk
on Marcus' face wasn't helping her stay the panic attack that was
building. “Jules? You okay?” Austin asked.

No, I'm not!
she screamed inside her
head. “Yes, I'm... I'm fine,” she replied, remembering why Austin
held his hand out. “It's in my locker,” she told him. “Can you come
with me to get it?” Julie asked. She had to talk with Marcus, but
didn't trust him alone with Austin. Julie wasn't sure what the
revelation that they were cousins had meant, but she wanted answers
from Marcus before any more surprises surfaced.

“Sure,” Austin replied. “Dude, we'll catch up
real soon,” Austin said, shaking Marcus' hand.

“I've no doubt,” he answered.

“See you shortly, Julie,” Marcus said, his
smile wide. Julie did not return the smile and fought the urge to
rid him of his. She took Austin's hand and led him toward the
locker room.

“Jules, don't take this the wrong way, but
you are acting kind of strange,” Austin said.

“I know. I'm sorry. I'm just... grumpy,” she
said as her stomach growled loudly.

“When was the last time you ate?” Austin
asked. Julie stopped just outside the locker room.

“I... um... wait...” she thought. “I bought a
bagel this morning,” Julie remembered.

“You didn't eat it,” Neal said, suddenly
beside them. “Austin, man, you gotta take better care of her. She's
been out of it all day, getting hurt and everything,” Neal
confessed. Julie scowled at him.

“You got hurt?” Austin asked her.

“No, I didn't,” Julie said.

“Yeah, you did. You were unconscious and
everything,” Neal confirmed.

Shut up Neal
, Julie thought.

“Julie, why didn't you tell me?” Austin
questioned.

“Because it didn't happen. Neal's
exaggerating,” Julie glared at Neal.

“I found you...” Neal began to elaborate.

“Enough, Neal. Don't you have something you
should be doing?” Julie's voice was stern.

“It's okay, buddy. Thanks,” Austin replied,
patting Neal on the back. He knew Julie would tell him the whole
story eventually and didn't want her getting upset. He also knew he
could talk to Neal privately later, if need be. Neal meandered off.
Austin waited to see if Julie would clarify anything.

“I just got dizzy because I hadn't eaten,
that's all. I'm fine,” Julie stated.

Austin grabbed Julie's hand. “C'mon, first
thing's first,” he said. Austin lead Julie to the vending machines
around the corner.

“Austin,” Julie said as he put the money in
the machine.

“Hush,” Austin said, pushing a button for a
protein bar. “Eat,” he ordered, handing her the bar. “This will
hold you over until I can get some real food in you,” he said.