THREE

As the boy stirred the pasta, Martha checked the pasta, pulling up some of it from the pan with a fork. She inspected it like she was a detective looking for a clue. Then the boy saw Madelyn walk up to her. Her walk seemed to be a bit unsteady.

“Mom, I don’t feel so good,” she said.

Martha looked at the girl, putting a hand on her forehead. “You’re burning up. What brought up that fever all of a sudden?”

“I feel a bit nauseous…” Those words gave a hint of what was coming, but Martha was too late to step back. Madelyn vomited blood all over her. It was enough to fill half a cup of coffee, ejected from the girl’s mouth with huge force. As it splattered all over Madelyn she screamed.

The boy knelt down beside Madelyn who was sobbing. He put a hand on her shoulder. “Easy, easy…”

“My little girl! My little girl!” Martha stammered.

“Just get yourself cleaned up, ma’am. I’ll stay with Madelyn,” the boy offered.

“Screw that! I need to get her to a doctor, quick!” Martha said. She picked up her girl and carried her in her arms, kicking the door open. “Let’s get you into the car.”

“I’ll drive,” the boy offered, turning off the stove. His lack of fear usually meant his thinking was clearheaded where others were prone to panic. “You take care of Madelyn.”

As they walked out the door Martha checked, “Wait… Do you have a driver’s license.”

“Don’t worry, I’m an excellent driver. I’ve handled a lot of fast cars. Trust me.” The boy wasn’t lying. He didn’t have a license but in his quest to feel fear he’d been driving some cars at crazy speeds. He’d picked up quite some skills from a stunt driver who he’d enlisted in this endeavor in Hollywood some time ago.

When they reached Martha’s car, an older Buick the boy asked her for the keys. She told him, “It is unlocked. Key is under the seat. This is a small town, last time something was stolen was five years ago.”

“Let me help you in the car then,” the boy said, opening the door to the backseat. Martha put Madelyn in the car, securing her safety belt, telling her all would be okay.

“I am so dizzy,” Madelyn said.

Tears flowing down her cheeks, Martha tried to be strong and positive so her daughter wouldn’t worry. “You’ll be okay, sweetie. We’re taking you to a doctor.”

The boy sat behind the wheel of the Buick. He searched with his hand under the seat and found it soon enough. “Make sure you hang in tight there. Tell me where to go.”

“We’re strapped in. Drive!” Martha said.

The boy turned the key in the ignition and stepped on the gas. Screeching the Buick sped off, kicking up dust. Martha and Madelyn were pushed back against their seats. Martha held on tight to her little girl to protect her.

Even though the situation was dire, the boy couldn’t help but smile a bit. While driving a car at insane speeds didn’t scare him whatsoever, he did like applying some of his skills. The ladies in the back were in for one hell of a ride.