"How are you feeling?" Michaela asked Colleen.
"Much better, Ma. I think I can go back to school today," Colleen told her.
"Are you sure?" Michaela questioned.
"Yes, I'm much better. May I go back to school today?" Colleen pleaded.
"If you're feeling better, I don't see why not," Michaela said.
Colleen dressed slowly; she really wasn't feeling better, but she didn't want to be a burden to anyone. She went downstairs to find everyone waiting around the table for her.
"Are you really coming to school today?" Brian asked.
Colleen nodded as she sat down. She tried to eat the oatmeal in her bowl, but she had no appetite.
"Are you sure that you're feeling better?" Michaela asked, "You don't seem to be eating much this morning."
"I'm fine," Colleen snapped.
"Colleen, you shouldn't speak to your Ma like that," Sully scolded.
"I'm sorry. I guess I'm a little nervous," Colleen apologized.
"It's all right, I understand," Michaela told her.
"Brian, we should leave now so we aren't late," Colleen said.
Brian shoved two more spoonfuls of oatmeal into his mouth, before he set his spoon down.
"Don't forget your lunches," Michaela reminded them.
Brian grabbed the lunches and handed one to Colleen. The both scooped up their books and headed to school.
"I don't have to be into the clinic for a least another hour," Michaela said.
"I wish I could stay, but I need to go out to the reservation as early as I can," Sully told her.
"You had better get going then," she said.
Sully leaned towards her, and the couple shared a lengthy kiss. Sully was the first to pull away.
"I should be home early. Do you want me to stop by the clinic?" he asked.
"That would be fine, but you don't need to rush," Michaela told him.
"Goodbye," Sully said, giving his wife one last kiss.
"Go," Michaela ordered.
"I am," Sully said, and true to his word, he closed the door moments later.
Michaela collected the dishes from the table and washed them. She then walked around the house cleaning what needed to be cleaned. That job not taking very long, she settled in a chair to do some reading. Her mind wandered away from the written words.
"We should go on a picnic this Sunday," Michaela said to herself. Looking at the clock on the wall, she added, "but I had better get into town."
(At the school)
"I'm glad your back," Becky told Colleen, "Yesterday seemed to go on forever. We had a surprise math quiz, and I have a feeling I did horrible. You are so much better in math than I am. Are you listening me?"
"Yes," Colleen told her friend. Colleen's head was pounding. "I'm going to go sit down now."
The first half of the day seemed to drag by slowly. Becky was helping her make up the work she had missed, but Becky might have well have been speaking Chinese. Colleen walked outside with the others for lunch.
"Colleen, are you feeling sick again?" Brian asked.
"Why do ask?" Colleen questioned.
"You looked like you were going to fall over during the lecture on the War of 1812," Brian told her.
"I feel fine. I'm just not interested in the War of 1812 that is all," she said.
Colleen had no idea how she made it through the rest of the day. Nevertheless, before she knew it she and Brian were walking across the street to the clinic.
"How was school?" Michaela asked. There were no patients in to see her at the time.
"Fine," Brian answered.
"Colleen?" Michaela asked.
"I'm just a little behind for being out yesterday," Colleen said.
"Well you'll catch up," Michaela told her. "Sully went to go pick up a shipment of supplies from Loren, he should be back soon. Colleen you look worn out."
"I'm really tired," Colleen said.
"I'm sure Sully will take you home with him when he gets back," Michaela.
"Sully will take who?" Sully asked, as he entered the room carrying several large boxes.
"You'll take Colleen home; she's exhausted," Michaela informed him.
"It would be my pleasure. Where would you like these?" he asked.
"Over in the corner is fine," Michaela said. "I'll sort through them later."
"Ma, is it all right if I go and play with the other kids?" Brian asked.
"Yes, but make sure you're home early enough to help with the chores," Michaela told him.
"I will," Brian said.
"And don't slam the," she began.
"Slam."
"Door," Michaela finished too late.
"Are you ready to leave Colleen?" Sully asked.
Colleen nodded and followed Sully outside to his horse. He helped her up before he mounted himself. Sully rode a little more slowly than usual and not because of the extra weight. Colleen seemed to be having trouble holding herself on. After a few minutes, she rested her head against Sully's chest and drifted to sleep.
"Colleen did you see the size of the bird?" he asked.
There was no response. Sully realized that she was asleep, and he remained quiet the rest of the ride.
When they reached the homestead, he gently shook Colleen's shoulder. She didn't even flinch. He shook her a little harder and still no response. He brought his hand to her forehead; her face was burning. Sully turned the horse around to head back to the clinic, much faster this time.
