Nervous System (The System Series Book 1) by Ring Andrea

Author:Ring, Andrea [Ring, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Square Gorilla Press
Published: 2013-10-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

Grandma has a doctor’s appointment today.

“Just a checkup,” she says.

“Why do you need a checkup?” I ask while I pack my lunch. “Just feel inside yourself.”

“We are not infallible, Thomas, and we are not doctors. It doesn’t hurt to check in with an expert.”

“I think we’re pretty much experts on our own bodies.”

“That kind of arrogance will get you in trouble. I’m an old lady. I’ll take the help.”

I hug her. “Whatever will keep you here with me.”

I have my third presentation to give today, this time on the lungs. Grandma bought me a package of balloons, and at recess, I open the package and set a single balloon on each person’s desk. I’ve learned that when my presentations are interactive, the kids are more engaged.

I talk a bit about our lungs, how they function, then ask everyone to blow up their balloons with a single breath. Half the class can’t do it. I tell them that lung capacity and the force of your breath is something you can increase with practice. I tell everyone to take their balloons home and practice every day. At my next presentation, we’ll all try again. Anyone who can blow their balloon up will receive a lollipop. And the person who expands theirs the most will win a special prize.

Another good presentation. Before I even finish up, though, I start to worry about the next one. I need to research nerves. I’ll just have to think of some way for that topic to be interactive, too.



“How was the doctor?” I ask when I get home from school.

Grandma is sitting on the couch, drinking her afternoon tea. She offers me some everyday, and I always turn her down. Why would I want to drink a cup of liquid grass? And why can’t she remember that I don’t like tea?

“Hello, my darling,” she says with a smile. “How was school? Can I make you a snack, a cup of tea?”

See?

“I’m fine. School was great. The balloons were perfect. Thank you.”

She pats the space on the couch next to her. “Tell me all about it.”

I do. Grandma laughs at my description of Abbey, red-faced, cheeks blown up like a puffer fish as she tried in vain to blow up her balloon.

“So tell me about the doctor,” I say again.

Grandma blows gently into her teacup and takes a small sip.

“Not much to tell. Standard physical. Everything’s tip top.”

“Grandma,” I say slowly, “if something were wrong, would you tell me?”

“Thomas, there is nothing wrong with me.”

“But would you tell me,” I insist, “if there were?”

She bows her head. “My instinct would be not to tell you.”

“I know that,” I say. “What I’m really asking is for you to fight that instinct and please be honest with me.”

She sighs, then meets my eyes. “If anything ever goes wrong, I promise to tell you. You know, though, that I would prefer it the other way. You don’t need to worry about me in addition to everything else.”

“Too late, Grandma. This conversation has already given me ulcers.

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