Page 307 of Under Her Skin
“Where are you going with that?” I hear her fathershout.
Crap!
Blaine stops and turns around. “To your daughter’sroom.”
“I don’t think so,” her father says. I can see the look in Blaine’s eyes and it’sbad.
I manage to get to where they are and maneuver them the rest of the way out of the cafeteria and into the hallway before anyone pays any attention to them. “Shh,” I hiss at them. Tugging them both by their arms, I pull them around the corner. “What’s the problemhere?”
“He’s taking that to Meagan. I don’t think this food is good for her. She’s on a strict diet. This man doesn’t seem to understand that,” hesays.
“This was made just for her by the nutritionist, Mr. Sanders,” Blaine tells him, then lifts the silver dome off the plate, revealing the single slice of white turkey meat, green beans, and a small amount of whiterice.
“That plate will be fine for her to eat,” I say, then give Blaine a nod, and he covers it backup.
“But that would mean she’s getting special treatment. We don’t want her thinking she’s any more special than any one of our other four children. So, I am telling you, I don’t want her to have that. As a matter of fact, take her off your list of kids you want to spoil with material things, Mr.Vanderbilt.”
“How about if I give her only my company?” Blaineasks.
“I’d rather you stay away from her. As a matter of fact, I demand that you do,” Mr. Sanders says and looks at me. “See to that, or I will. If I do, it won’t be pretty.” Then he turns and walks away fromus.
Blaine doesn’t wait for the man to get out of hearing range before he says, “That man is a completejackoff.”
Thankfully, the man keeps walking. I’m pretty sure that, given how he has such a strict way of doing things, he’s used to being called names. He is a jackoff, afterall.
“Come on, Blaine. There’s nothing we can do. Let’s just enjoy the kids who we can.” I try to take his hand, but my feathers get in the way and I just huff and start walking. “Come on. Man, I hate thissuit.”
“I hate that asshole. I think he needs an adjustment,” he mumbles as he follows me. “I think I might just have to make thathappen.”
I spin around and look at him to see if he’s being serious. “Blaine, what does thatmean?”
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it. I should just leave it alone. Like you’ve told me about thousand times since I came here, there isn’t a thing I can do to change any of this. I don’t really know why I’m even here, continuing to pretend that life can be great. For some, I assume it can, but not for all ofus.”
Just like I was worried about, it seems the old Blaine with his shielded heart and dim views of humanity is coming back to the surface. “Blaine, let’s just have fun. Then we can go back to your place and have some naked swim time. What do you say tothat?”
“No, thanks. I think I’d like to be alone this evening. I don’t really feel up to company,” he says as he looks past me into the cafeteria. “Let’s get this shit over with. I can put this fake smile on my face only a littlelonger.”
This is notgood!
A Tree forAll
BookFour
Chapter1
DELANEY
December2nd:
“When’s Mr. Vanderbilt coming for a visit?” Colby asks as I check his vital signs. “I made up this rad tune. I want to let him hearit.”
“I’ll be sure to let him know that, Colby. He’s just been really busy at his job with the holidays. His stores sell a lot of things. I’ll be back after lunch,” I tell him, then leave the room to make my way to the nextpatient.
A week has passed since Blaine was here last, on Thanksgiving evening. He’s made excuses every day for why he can’t come to the hospital. I know what the real reason is, though. He can’t handle the sadness—the utter helplessness of being a human and watching other humans struggle. It’s just too hard for him todo.
Instead of bringing something out in him, all that surfaced was his original outlook on life—the outlook that says, fuck doing things the right and fair way. Look out for number one because no one else will look out foryou.
Taking a break, I go to the break room and take my cell phone out of my pocket. I haven’t stayed a night at his place this last week either. He says he’s not in the mood to be around anyone and would make badcompany.
