She was sleeping. He could see her breathing and see that she was in her bed. Tai eased the door closed but made sure not to latch it. He closed his eyes wishing gatomon and agumon were there. He would have both of them in with his sister watching her while she slept.
"Come sit down Tai." His mother beckoned from the kitchen table. Tai turned and went to his parents. He pulled out a chair and sat across from them.
It had all come out in a bit of a mess. Kari had told him and he ran off. His mother and father returned home and saw Kari on the couch. Kari told them both what had happened. When Tai came home after Joe dropped him off, neither parent noticed his lack of shoes. They were patient. They sat at the table and allowed him to digest. Now Tai inhaled, knowing he'd have to discuss this. And discussing this was, Tai knew, what would make it more real.
"I'm sorry you found out this way son." His mother spoke gently. Tai put his elbows on the table,
"so how did this even happen?" He asked trying to fit the pieces together. His mother gave a look to his father and then explained.
"Your sister fainted a few days ago at school." Tai's forehead creased. This was news to him.
"They took her blood work at the hospital. They noted she was low in iron and suspected anemia. But they ran further tests to be sure. Her white blood cell count was through the roof. I took her to the hospital and they diagnosed her with leukaemia. They will start treatment in about 8 days. The doctor said we are lucky though. It's early yet. Kari's at a strong age and so her body has a better chance fighting the disease." Tai shook his head,
"mom she's so sick though. I mean her immune system has been shot to hell since she was three." His mother put a hand out,
"the doctor knows Kari's medical history. They say she is quite healthy. She hasn't had a bad spell in a while Tai. She'll miss some school but she can catch up. They have high hopes she's going to be just fine." Tai crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair,
"sure just fine. She just has to beat cancer first." Tai looked to his mother who gave him a disapproving look. He then looked to his father who was quiet.
"What are you thinking Dad?" Tai asked uncertain he had confidence in what he guessed his father might say
. "I think, we'll do what we can. It'll be expensive but, we can cut back." Tai gritted his teeth. He knew his father and knew expense would be the first and only thing he thought about. Tai felt anger bubble through him. He looked to his mother and saw her eyes full of worry.
"We're gonna get through this." She said optimistically and Tai relaxed his jaw. He wanted to give his parents a reality check and fight them. But, Tai decided, that wasn't what they needed. They needed him to smile and nod. Agree with their naive and hopeful outlook. Tai grabbed his mothers hand,
"course it will mom." He smiled at her and saw her face flush with relief. Tai knew in that moment, allowing them to make believe was the right thing to do.
Kari eased herself out of bed after turning off her alarm. She wanted to sit a moment and wake up, but she feared she'd think too deeply about gatomon and the digital world and become upset. She stood and started getting dressed. Once changed with her hair brushed she ran her tongue across her teeth and quickly left her room seeking the bathroom to brush her teeth.
"Morning Kar." Tai greeted her and she was thankfully not startled by him. She smiled, happy to see him home. She opened her mouth to ask if he was okay but then closed it. She didn't want to upset or bother him unnecessarily. She settled with smiling at him and stepping past him to the bathroom.
"You sleep okay?" Tai asked as she walked past,
"yeah I did, much better than the ground." She replied and looked back at her brother,
"you?" Tai nodded,
"fine, yeah fine." He said and then he stood tall,
"I'm gonna walk you to school. That okay?" Kari stopped at the bathroom door.
"What about soccer? Don't you have practice?" Tai shrugged,
"it's okay I don't feel like going. I'd rather hang out with you." Kari raised her eyebrow suspicious, "really?" She asked unconvinced. Tai then smirked,
"yeah really. Thought I'd check out your world for a morning. Maybe write a book on it." Kari rolled her eyes and laughed,
"okay weirdo." She turned and went into the bathroom amused by her brother. After brushing her teeth she went into the kitchen. Tai suddenly appeared and Kari jumped at the sight of him.
"I got your breakfast." Kari once again raised her eyebrow,
"you did? What's the catch?" She asked carefully. Tai laughed,
"no catch! Just made you breakfast." Kari nodded and moved gingerly towards the table keeping her eyes on her brother.
"You're acting strange." She admitted and Tai moved to pick up the breakfast off the table.
"Fine if you don't want it..." Kari quickly stopped him and grabbed her plate from his hands,
"okay I give! I want it." Tai nodded smugly.
"Eat up then." He left to his room and Kari started eating the breakfast Tai made. Tai then re entered the kitchen and Kari noticed he was carrying her bag.
"Hey. Why do you have my bag?" She inquired and Tai placed it on the counter and opened the fridge.
"Because, I made your lunch. And I got you something to take with you to school. Oh and you should have some now." He pulled out a tablet from a pill bottle and placed it on the table next to her breakfast. Kari picked up the small pill.
"What's this?" Tai put the bottle in her bag.
"A multi vitamin thing. Not totally sure but Joe gave them to me. It's supposed to help with the nose bleeds." Tai shrugged and Kari suddenly understood Tai's behaviour. She placed the tablet back on the table and looked at her lap.
"So that's why you want to walk with me. You're worried." She whispered. She heard Tai move and felt him stand beside her.
"Well yes and no. Of course I'm worried Kari, but I also do just want to spend time with you. Our talk last night made me realize there are a lot of things I don't know about my sister. I want to re-get to know you. See how you've been living these past few months." Kari bit her lip. A part of her still worried that Tai's actions were a result of him knowing about her cancer. She considered this thought a moment before deciding she was just happy he was spending anytime with her. Kari picked up her fork and put some eggs in her mouth. Once she swallowed she spoke.
"Alright, I kind of like the thought of that."