Chapter 7: Mandate

Skyler sat behind a victorian desk in a straight chair when Turista knocked briefly on his door before stepping over the barrier. When Skyler looked up and smiled motioning her to a seat.

"How was your visit with the Prust's?" Skyler asked putting his ledger aside as Turista passed him over her notes to read.

"Calico was very truthful, but his mother was unreal. She made wheat-grass bread and served nondairy butter." Turista said as Skyler gazed at her with disbelief.

"Wheat-grass huh? Sounds healthy." Skyler said thumbing through her notes.

"It was a sight for the TWILIGHT ZONE that's for sure."

"Yes, well. Thank you for your help. I shall wish to visit them myself and remedy this situation." Skyler said rising from the chair to shake her hand as she proceeded to leave his office.

"Thank you." She said taking a check from him and placing it in her purse before taking her leave. As Skyler put on his coat and made his way downstairs to his car.

"Where do you suppose he's going?" Tyro queried watching from their window with his neck craned away from the stables.

"As if that's any of our business. Come along now. We have shopping and lunch with our daughter." Glenda said taking his arm to leave as he smirked at her twinkling eyes.

"Have you come back then, Miss Callow?" Porscha chirped unlocking the door as Skyler stood tall and immovable in her doorway.

"Hello, Porscha. Remember me?" He inquired as she shuffled from the door awe-struck by his presence.

"What brings you by, Doctor?" She asked absently falling onto the sofa as he took a chair facing her.

"I've come about Calico. You must know I read Turista's notes." He said putting a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Why come about Calico? He's fine." She said wrenching away from his touch.

"Where is he?" Skyler asked rising from the chair to go in search of the boy.

"He's sleeping. Can't you come back another time?" She hissed standing in his way.

"I think you know I'm a force to be reckoned with. Please move." He said entering Calico's room to find him in his crib snoring.

"He's big for a crib isn't he?" Skyler asked gazing around the room at the playpen, diapers, and bottles.

"He has a condition. That's all." She hissed straining not to raise her voice.

"I have a court order here stating that Calico is to come with me. Will you wake him or shall I?" Skyler asked as Calico's eyes fluttered open and his head turned to look at Skyler without alarm.

"Please, don't disturb her. What is happening?" Calico asked climbing from the crib to stand before Skyler rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"I'm afraid you're to come with me for a time. Is that ok?" Skyler inquired as Calico hid a smile behind his hand as he yawned.

"What shall I pack?" Calico queried as Porscha gaped at him.

"You'll go with him willingly? What about your condition?" She asked with startled eyes.

"Skyler's a doctor aren't you?" Calico asked with hooded eyes.

"Yes, I am a doctor and know exactly what to do. Trust me, Porscha. He'll be well looked after." Skyler said as Calico packed his clothes, books, and paper before taking Skyler's hand to leave.

"You can leave your home just like this with a stranger no less?" Porscha questioned standing in the doorway to stop their procession.

"Ma, we cannot fight the law. Why make things unpleasant when they don't have to be?"

"Calico! I've taken care of you for sixteen years! How can you do this?" Porscha squeaked reaching for Calico's arm.

"Calico is not doing this, Porscha. I'm the one with the mandate and I'd appreciate it if you'd move aside. After a few days, I can call you and you can come and be near him, but not for right now. Is this satisfactory?" Skyler asked as Porscha wilted and moved out of their way.

"I guess it will have to be. I'll await your call." Porscha said as Calico kissed her cheek before letting Skyler lead him out to his car.

"Wow! A beetle-bop!" Calico exclaimed as Skyler smiled.

"You like it huh? Marimba laughed when she first saw it." Skyler said conversationally as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed south.

"Who's Marimba?"

"She's a patient of mine like you. She's where you'll go to after your evaluation." Skyler said pulling up to a building that looked to Calico like it had to Marimba much like a hotel.

"Am I staying in a hotel tonight?" Calico asked with a chuckle.

"No. This is our evaluation building before the refuge. Ok?" Skyler asked as they got out to go inside meeting Yonnivah at the front desk just as Marimba had.

"Hi, I'm Yonnivah. I'm a nurse. Shall I take him to his room?" She asked with a curtsy to Skyler.

"Yes, please. No surprises." Skyler said winking at her as she winced.

"Not without your say-so, Doc. This way." Yonnivah said leading Calico to the room Marimba had occupied before him.

"This is cozy." Calico said stowing his bag in the 9 by 10 closet.

"It's just until Dr. Tanembaum says you can be transferred. Can I get you anything?" She asked as he put up a hand.

"Doesn't that mean Christmas tree in German?" Calico asked with a snort of laughter.

"I guess so. A few things though. There are no diapers, bottles, bibs, cribs, or playpens here. Can you handle that?" She asked seeing him eye the TV.

"Not a problem. I adapt fast. Am I allowed TV?" He asked as she showed him how to work it as he found READING RAINBOW on and sat down to watch.

"He seems fine with the lack of infant things." Yonnivah reported to Skyler as he observed Calico watching SESAME STREET after READING RAINBOW had concluded.

"He's very agreeable. My theory is this. She gave him laxatives in the bottle and gave him an enema after that. She kept him thinking he was ill so she could keep him home with her. What do you think?" Skyler asked as Calico began to watch MR. ROGER's Neighborhood.

"I can swallow it. I think I'll get him something to eat." Yonnivah said seeing Calico rub his stomach without complaint.

"He didn't refuse to come. You're doing great, Calico. I'll be back tomorrow to interview you. You ok here?" Skyler asked as Calico grinned upon seeing Yonnivah bring him a tray with pizza and Root Beer.

"I'm good as long as I don't have to stay alone. I get lonesome." Calico said taking a big bite of pizza as they both laughed.

"I can stay as long as needed." Yonnivah said wiping cheese from his face.

"Thank you, Yonnivah. I shall return tomorrow." Skyler said leaving as Calico gulped down some Root Beer.

"Would you like to watch a movie?" Yonnivah asked after Calico was finished eating and dressed in silk-green, button-down pajamas.

"Do you have SWEENEY TODD?" He asked as Yonnivah gaped at him in surprise.

"Are you sure you can handle that? You were watching kids shows awhile ago."

"You'd be surprised what I can handle if you knew what my life has been. I wanted to come away from home. I think Ma is a little crazy." Calico whispered as Yonnivah smiled.

"Not to worry, Love. We'll take good care of you here." She said patting his shoulder before leaving to make popcorn.