head of his fraternity house. He came from one of the wealthiest East Coast families (his father is a senator). My parents were pleased with my choice. Todd is whom they would have expected me to date, but he was also the reason I wanted to end my life just a few short months ago.
Since I dated Todd I have been isolated, reduced to my cell phone or e-mail to keep in touch with my friends, for about six months or so now. I’m at the tail end of my freshman year at college, even though I don’t actually take classes on campus right now. I have been completing my last semester courses via correspondence. I have been doing this because I have been sick and basically terrified of life in the real world.
Thanks to my illness (which I will explain) and being paranoid, I have missed all the parties, dances and just about anything, a freshman girl at college can get into. I am an only child to my father and stepmother Sara, so you can say I am the main focus of them both. Let me tell you, this has been sheer hell for me especially right now. I am under a microscope 24/7 and it is draining. It doesn’t matter since nowadays everything is draining to me.
I close my eyes as Kate, as my private home nurse comes into my room. I smell her perfume, the kind they sell at the dollar stores. It stings my nose and fills my overly warm bedroom. I know it is crazy to have a home nurse, but that’s what happens when your dad has too much money and you’re an only child…ah lucky me (not). Thankfully, this is her last day caring for me and I can have some shred of my privacy back.
I like Kate she is kind and funny. Her short hair is a golden color, and spirals up in a hundred different directions. She has come to be a good friend in the past few months, and she never complains when I’m moody. I hate to see her go, but if I am ever going to get back to some kind of normal life, she cannot be here.
“Up up, Corrine!” She chirps her English accent thick and happy.
I groan, pulling my satin pink bedspread up over my head. “No,” I mumble trying to ignore her.
I hear my cell phone ringing again for the tenth time. I slide a hand out from the sheets to grab the damn annoying thing off my nightstand…I groan again. “It’s my wicked stepmother.” Kate laughs softly at me, clearly agreeing. I drop the phone into my pink sheets like a hot potato. I have no desire to talk to that wicked woman so early.
“She won’t stop calling, ya know,” Kate warns. I know Kate is right. I roll my eyes as the phone goes silent. “She’s trying to remind you Doctor Mott is coming over in an hour for your check-up.” Kate smiles, watching me for a reaction.
“Nobody makes house calls anymore Kate. It’s crazy, that’s so one hundred years ago.” I groan, wishing I could hide away from the world in my bed. I was so sick of doctors and medicine.
Kate ignores me, laying out a fresh towel for my shower, and motioning her head to the bathroom. I can hear the shower water already running in the bathroom. Kate knew I would be dragging my feet, so she already turned it on. The home phone on my cluttered dresser, covered by my Garfield pajamas, rings.
“Please tell her I’m in the shower.” I beg as I cringe with each ring.
“Go on, get in the shower. I will handle her!” Kate waves me out of the room and heads to my dresser to dig out my phone. My room is less than clean these days. Kate try’s to “tidy up” for me as she says, but I never let her. Sara treats like a housemaid already, and I just won’t do that. Kate is a single mom, with three kids, she usually looks worn out already when she gets here at 7 am, and that’s without picking up my junk.
I give her a quick hug as I head for the shower. I know Doctor Mott and he is never late. I quickly wash my hair. I know why he is so diligent in my care. My parents recently funded the new cancer center at our local hospital (go figure)! The good doctor