Chapter 32: JJ
Turns out little Jason has claustrophobia. He kept whimpering and mumbling,'Help! This lady is kidnapping me!'.
"Nephew! Calm down!" I tried to act motherly, but I am not sure that comforted Jason, not the tiniest bit.
"Come on! You did nothing so far, so send us rolling!" I say.
"Ummm….okay, but how?"
"Hey! I don't know! You have brains, right?"
"Fine!"
Jason began tinkering with the many wires and levers on the right side of the cramped space. It was painted with bubblegum pink on the inside, and smells faintly of peppermint and oak wood.
Suddenly, the dumbwaiter shook as it creaked to life. We pitched upward and slammed our heads on the roof above. Then the dumbwaiter spun toward the right like we were the passengers of a Ferris wheel. Ahh, memories of riding the Ferris Wheel with my sisters are fond memories of mine. Still in the daydream, I lean back and sighed.
"Ohhhh, my head," Jason moaned, cradling his head in his arms.
"Oh my! Dear, once we reach the lab, don't you worry your precious little self, we'll find a remedy for your head."
I am surprised with my softness. I can tell Jason is, too.
"Uhh, Auntie Rosa? You seemed almost like-like-"
"I know. Besides, all females have a motherly nature. It's in the genes."
The dumbwaiter was now zooming upward, hopefully near the lab.
But when I took a good look at Jason, I gasped. His face was streaked with tears and his head- it had a big burn and a bump on the top. Also, he seemed feverish and tired.
Jason noticed me staring. "Umm.. I'm good, really.."
I reached for him and Jason, unable to fight it any longer, toppled into my lap, breathing deeply.
"You know what, Auntie?" He said, sighing happily."You smell like roses."
