Human Blend by Lori Pescatore Page A

strange guy in the lobby,” Austin said.
    Julie immediately heard the change in his
voice. “Strange guy?” she said, then knew exactly who he was
referring to. “Was he like forty something and really nosy?” Julie
asked him.
    “Yeah. You know him?” he asked.
    “Not really, but he has been a real busy
body. Did he bother you, too?” Julie asked.
    “Yeah, sort of. I just didn't like what he
was saying,” Austin said, going over the strange conversation in
his head.
    “What did he say?” Julie asked.
    “It's not important, just be careful and be
mindful of who's around,” he told her.
    “Yeah, of course,” she said. She thought she
had always been aware of who was around, maybe she had been
slacking on the job. She was curious as to what he said to Austin
that got him so worked up. “I'm a big girl, Austin. Don't worry
about me, but thanks for the warning,” she said.
    “I do worry,” he said. “When you care about
someone, that's what happens, you worry,” he said.
    “I know,” she said softly. “And now I am
worried you are gonna be late for finals, get going,” she said,
trying to lighten the moment.
    “I'll see you later,” Austin said.
    “Later,” Julie replied and hung up.
    Austin made his way home to change and then
headed to school. His mind was preoccupied the whole way.
    Julie didn't have time to focus on the
strange encounter. She got herself ready for work.
    She was glad that the man was nowhere in
sight as she walked out of the building. The day was clear and
bright, and the air was fresh with the scent of the previous day's
mountain rain. It was a lovely walk to the hospital.
    She changed in the locker room and checked
the schedule. She had been assigned to the pediatrics ward. She
wondered if Doctor Elsworth had anything to do with that. Eli , she reminded herself of his name.
    On the fourth floor, she checked in with the
nurses' station. They immediately put her to work running patients
to and from the infusion room for treatment. As soon as she got a
free moment, she checked in on Michele. The child looked as if she
hadn't moved an inch from yesterday. Julie lightly touched the bald
head.
    “What do you need to do this?” Doctor
Elsworth had come up behind her.
    She looked up at him. “Time. I'm not sure how
long it will take for me to recover, and privacy, of course,” she
said.
    “What time are you done here today?” he
asked.
    “Six,” she replied.
    “I'll have her moved into a private room near
my office,” he said. Julie nodded.
    He started to walk away, then said, “Oh, your
boyfriend is looking for you,” he said with a grin.
    “Austin?” Julie asked, and saw a strange
expression cross his features.
    It was at that time that Billy came running
up to her. “Doc Julie! I'm all better!”
    Julie bent down and picked him up, he had his
coat on and was holding pictures.
    “I'm so glad you are all better,” she said,
smiling.
    “I made you these pictures,” he said, waving
them.
    “Wow, they look awesome!” Julie exclaimed. A
woman came up and smiled at Julie.
    “Billy hasn't stopped talking about you. He
keeps saying you fixed him,” the woman said. “I'm Billy's mother,
Maureen,” she said, rubbing Billy's back. “He kept saying 'Doc
Julie', I didn't realize you were a volunteer,” Maureen
explained.
    “No, she's a doctor, she fixed me,” Billy
insisted. Julie and Maureen just smiled.
    “Whatever you did, thank you,” she said.
    “I'm just glad he's all better,” Julie said,
putting Billy back down and accepting the pictures from him. “You
just stay healthy, okay?” she requested of him.
    “I will, I promise,” he said and took his
mother's hand. Julie watched them walk off and felt a sense of
accomplishment. This was what she loved.
    She turned around, but Doctor Elsworth was
nowhere to be seen. “Why does he keep doing that?” she asked to no
one. She tucked the covers around Michele. “Today, little one. You
are gonna get better