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Show Fair Forever ,26 Dill had ushered my mom out of the exam room. He needed to explain the bad news. Not that it was anything I didn 7 already know. , . That's when Amanda walked in. She was older than me, but not much older. Maybe seventeen or eighteen. Nineteen at the most. And dressed like a nurse's aid. She blushed and said, 'I'm sorry, I thought the room was empty.' Checking the.wall outside my door, she explained. 'Your chart is gone. Dr. Dill must have taken it.' She started to close the door, but she paused and stared. I was panting and blue, one leg in my pants and the other still out. I felt stupid-totally useless standing there in my underwear. She asked, if she could help and I nodded, suddenly not caring that I was going on fourteen, but I didn't even have the energy to put on my own pants. She kneeled down, took my free foot and guided it into my jeans. 'Here you go. fake your time,' she said. Her voice was unhurried. I lifted up my pants, snapped them and zipped them up. I had to lean back against the exam bed. 'Thanks,' I said. 'I'm Bradley.! 'Amanda Thompson,' she answered, smiling, offering me her hand. She was perfect. Round eyes oh a clear face and a figure with gentle curves. I remember trying to stand. Iwanted to seem taller. 'Wait here, •' she ordered. She left the room and I tried to regain my breath. 7 should tell her I 'm almost fourteen,' I thought. 'She should know. I don't want her walking in on me all the time in my underwear^ Like a little kid.' .. When she returned, she was pushing a wheelchair, and she parked it next to the bed. Taking my hand, she placed it around her waist. I remember, her hair, cut short and blond, smelling of soap and berries. She helped me into the wheelchair and smiled, like helping a boy with a bad heart had been the highlight of her day. 'Do you need anything |
