Chapter Forty-five
“Roy had a bit of a scare. The old fool fell outta the big tree behind the garage. We got him to Emerg and they took care of it. But, he’s staying overnight so they can monitor him.”
“What? Why the hell did he fall out of a tree?”
“Seems a bulldog chased some kitten up the tree and he went after it. According to what Kean said, Roy hit his head on the way down, silly bastard. The kid came running for me, and thank goodness, by the time I got to him, Roy’d gained consciousness. Had a big gash and lost some blood. As you know, he has a weird blood type, AB, and the hospital was short because of that bus accident recently, and also a multiple car crash that happened last night.”
“Jesus.”
“Yeah. Not to worry, they’re having more blood flown in from one of the other islands, but until he gets a transfusion, they won’t release him. In the meantime, I figured the kid should hit the sack for school tomorrow but he’s unsettled. Something’s up? He’s being kinda cagey but he won’t spill.”
Alia interrupted, her voice wobbling with concern. “Strangely enough, I’m AB too. I can donate some blood for Roy. Sloan, I’ll just check on Kean, and then will you take me to the hospital?”
“Sure.” Suddenly Sloan sneezed. “Les will stay with him.” Another sneeze. “And let him skip school for one day. If he’s fussing, Les, let him hang out with you. It’ll keep his mind off what he saw.”
“Bless you.” She looked at Sloan, who sneezed again. “I’ll be right back.” Alia went to her and Kean’s room, listening to yet another series of sneezes from Sloan, who cussed after each one. She opened the door to find Kean on his hands and knees, looking under the bed. He jumped up quickly. “Mom, Roy fell outta the tree. There was blood everywhere. Lots of blood.”
She rushed to him. “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry about Roy. I know you’re worried but I have the same blood type as he does.” She put her arm around him and he hid his face in her stomach. “Sloan is going to take me to the hospital so I can donate some blood for him. It’ll make him feel a lot stronger.”
He leaned back, but his frantic look hadn’t faded. His blue eyes were huge and not far from tears. “I have to tell you something, Mom. You have to help me find her.”
Not understanding his words but picking up on his misery, she smoothed the shaggy hair back from his face and cupped his pale cheeks in her hands. “Of course I’ll help you. Explain what you’re talking about.”
Sloan stood in the open doorway and interrupted. “He’s talking about this.” A bedraggled, very unhappy kitten hung limply from his hands. The minute she spied Kean, she began thrashing and meowing piteously.
Kean ran to Sloan, his hands reaching. “You found her! Thanks, Sloan. I thought she’d run away and gotten lost.” Kean lifted the kitten to his chest and ever so gently gathered her to him. The tears in his eyes turned them to blue-glowing saucers of adoration as he shone them at his hero.
Sloan turned away and sneezed.
Alia caught on immediately. “You’re allergic to cats.”
Sloan went to speak but the next sneeze cut him off. So he nodded instead. Les had followed him and his grin didn’t make the matter any better. Sloan glared at him before he sneezed again.
“The pussy won’t go and get a shot. He’s scared of needles. Roy kept the blasted animal hidden.”
Kean piped up. “The pussy’s not scared. She’ll get a needle so Sloan won’t sneeze. She wouldn’t mind. She has no home, Mom, no one to love her. And she–she likes me.”
Everyone in the room stopped and stared at the kid embracing the kitten, who lay happily in his arms with her paws wrapped around each side of his neck as if she were giving him a human hug. Alia thought it one of the most beautiful sights she’d ever seen and her heart melted.
But she also knew the unfairness to Sloan, who’d grabbed his nose to stop the next sneeze but to no avail. It bust out so loud that everyone jumped.
“Kean, you can’t keep the cat. It’s Sloan who would have to get the needle because he’s allergic, and besides, the kitten belongs to Roy. Give her to Les and he’ll take her back to the garage.”
“But, Mom, Roy said she’s a stray. That he fed her because he felt sorry for her. She has no home, no one to care for her, and its dark outside and lonely and she likes—”
Sloan interrupted, the words forced. “And she likes you. We get it, kid.” He pushed his hand through his long hair and glared at Les, and then turned to Alia, softening his expression before stepping closer to Kean. “You can look after her until Roy is better, if you promise to keep her in this room or in the garden. I’ll take care of my problem. Deal?”
Flinging himself and the cat toward Sloan before anyone could stop him, Kean clung to the man’s neck and only pulled away when Sloan gave the biggest sneeze of the night.
Alia rushed forward to get the kitten off of Sloan’s chest where it had transferred and now clung. “Bless you.”
He glared at her and she repeated her words, only this time with a hand to his cheek so he’d know how sincere she was. “I really mean it. Bless you.”
Sloan sneezed again, and Les snickered and left the room. His words drifted back to them. “Gazoontite … and comes out loose.”
***
Smiling at Les’s silliness, Alia opened Kean’s bedcovers. “Sloan said you can skip school tomorrow so you can take care of the kitten. But you need to get to sleep now. I have to close your bedroom door so she won’t wander into the other part of the house, but I’ll leave the bathroom door open a smidge and the light on in there. You get it that Sloan is allergic, right?”