Cocoon by Emily Sue Harvey Page A

“I’m going to take that computer course at Tech. Need refreshing. Also need it to help Tim and Sherry at the office.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m growing more clueless by the hour. Peyton and Ashley have to help me now with lots of the more technical computer stuff.”
    â€œWhen does it start?” Barth reached down to ruffle Brutus’s neck.
    â€œThis week. Begins Thursday. I’ve already registered online.”
    A sharp whistle pierced the air and Brutus was up and off the deck in an eye’s blink.
    They both laughed as Brutus joined Billie Jean on her morning run.
    â€œBillie Jean’s doing great. She’s sprinting like an Olympic runner.” Barth’s voice conveyed his awe of the scrappy female fighter.
    â€œYeh.” Seana sighed contentedly. “She’s something else. I’ve never seen so much courage in my entire life. Never a complaint.”
    â€œAn overcomer.” Barth slowly shook his head in awe. “And it’s working, her faith and spirit. The cancer’s in remission.”
    â€œThank God. By the way, would you look at this rash on my face and neck, please? It’s come back.”
    Barth leaned over and peered. “You’re going to have to get that checked out,” he insisted. “It’s been going on for some time now.”
    â€œI know,” Seana sounded mildly impatient. “It’s not bothering me that much. Just makes me look slightly witchy. But, you’re right. I’ll call Dr. West today for an appointment.”
    â€œCan’t be too careful, honey.” He reached over to take her hand in his. “I want my girl to stay healthy.”
    â€œWealthy and wise,” Seana grinned at him when he looked puzzled. “The rest of the song.”
    â€œMust’ve missed that one,” he murmured, turned her palm up and kissed her hand thoroughly, giving Seana delicious goose bumps.
    Later that afternoon, she called and scheduled an appointment with her dermatologist. “Come on in tomorrow,” the nurse told her. “Since you’ve been having this problem for so long, we need to see you right away.”
    Can’t be too careful . Barth’s words rang in her head and she smiled. She loved his caring.
    Savored it.
    â€¢ • •
    â€œHere’s a prescription for some prednisone. This should knock it out.” Dr. West wrote with his unique flourish and handed the prescription to Seana.
    â€œSo you’re not sure what’s causing the rash?” Seana tucked the paper in her purse.
    â€œMay be an allergy thing. Without tests, it’s hard to tell. But no need in being hassled any longer. Let me know if you have any more problems.”
    Seana left with a lilt in her step. She took a dose of the medication with her lunch.
    â€œAlways safer to take meds on a full stomach,” Barth said as they dined on one of his tasty veggie dishes, a squash and tomato concoction over brown rice, made superb by Barth’s spice skills.
    â€œI’ll be glad to get this annoyance behind me,” Seana grumbled, then smacked her lips on the food. “You outdid yourself, Barth. I usually don’t even like this combination.”
    â€œJust fo-uh you, dahlin’,” he drawled in Southernese that pushed Seana’s tickle button.
    â€œI know.” She gurgled with laughter. “I bring out the best in you.”
    His countenance slid into serious, then warm and affectionate. “That you do, Seana, my love.”
    Seana’s heart soared.
    â€¢ • •
    Computer classes at Tech went well. Only thing, on the third day, when new software was introduced that Tim’s real estate office was implementing, Seana began to feel strange and could not remember things the instructor said.
    As the day wore on, she grew more and more disturbed. The words seemed to go in one ear and out the other. There was no pause inside her brain, not