Chapter 5
Dr. Adams instructed Ralph, "Please go to the medical lab for a blood draw to check your hormone levels and an EKG since you said it felt like your heart would jump out of your chest." Dr. Adams wanted to make sure everything was okay.
When he walked into the lab, everyone stopped what they were doing and glared at Ralph, expecting him to start yelling at them.
Understanding why they reacted that way, he said, "I would like to apologize to everyone I yelled and cursed at; my hormone levels were bonkers, and I had no restraint. I am so sorry and apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings. Dr. Adams asked me to come by and get a blood draw for a hormone check and an EKG test." He stood there with his arm out.
The girl he had thrown the water bottle at came over and asked him to sit in a chair. Getting the phlebotomy kit, she drew his blood. While he sat there, he said, "I'm sorry I threw the bottle at you and glad I missed."
She said, "That's okay. I'm just happy you didn't have a Suit on when you threw the bottle."
"I may not have Suit on for a while. Eric pulled it, and it won't be returned until the doctors can verify; I am in control of my emotions."
"That would be enough to anger me if someone pulled Jeffrey from me."
"Knowing I can't access him whenever I want feels like missing a close friend."
"I'm sure it does."
The tests showed Ralph's average hormone levels and typical EKG results. The doctors decided to do hormone and EKG tests once a week for the next three weeks. If everything stayed in the optimum range and he had no more anger or emotional outbursts, Suit would be returned.
Pam carried him to work each day when flying, which he tolerated but didn't like. When coming and going from the house, he wore a baseball cap so the neighbors didn't see his abnormal hair.
At the Hero compound, people stared at the First with green hair as he walked around the facility. Everyone who had read the Hero League newsletter understood Ralph had contracted the Green Guy cold and how it animated dormant Green Guy genes. They understood, but his unique appearance was still too different not to stare.
Ralph thought as he walked down the halls and saw the Heroes staring at him, 'Here it goes again, being stared at all the time. At least they aren't asking to shake my hand and hug me.'
Things were uneventful for the next two weeks, with Ralph working on the Education Programs and teacher training curriculum. He would observe the children who attended school at the Hero compound. They all had one Hero parent and lived either at the facility or nearby in southern California. He continued to teach the teens about ethics and morals. The teens would ask excellent questions, and they got into some wonderful debates.
During this quiet period, he resumed his weekly channeling sessions with Bill Maxwell, his dead partner. As he meditated to prepare for Bill's channeling, sometimes familiar sounds, almost a song far in the background, came through. These sounds were never present before. He met Bill in the in-between and explained what was going on with the Green Guy's cold, junk genes being activated, hibernation, and having to have weird sex or else he would die.
Bill said, "I was worried about you, kid, and when I couldn't connect with you during the hibernation, I went to Kenjisama. He told me what you were going through. I'm glad we can get back to something semi-normal. I told you there was more going on with the green guys than what they tell you."
"You're right, Bill, and I'm going to get to the bottom of this," Ralph replied.