Found at Sea - By Anne Marie Duquette Page 0,90

let her keep. She moved her backpack to the foot of the bed, kicked off her sneakers and stretched out. Her fingers nimbly turned the pages to chapter one and she began to read:

Even in this day and age, science has only scratched the surface in the war against viruses and the illnesses they cause. The field of viral study offers a life’s work for medical and research personnel challenged by the power of these microorganisms and their deadly epidemics, such as influenza or AIDS. Those interested in making a profession of viral studies should understand that only dedication and application can make a difference in unlocking one of science’s greatest mysteries...

Her eyebrows knit in concentration, Tanya continued to read. How come the doctors couldn’t zap this virus Mom had? Why couldn’t they identify it? Wouldn’t it be better to know what you’re fighting? Why don’t antibiotics work? How could I find out which virus Mom had—and how to treat it? I wonder...

The tough, rebellious look left her features, replaced by rapt interest as the inherent intelligence she’d never truly tapped into began to make itself known.

“Look at what she’s reading. No wonder she wants to work the clinic. She’s into germ warfare!”

Idiots.

“This girl is insane,” the scarred girl whispered to her friend. “We better stay out of her way.”

“You said it, chica. Those drugs sure scrambled the newbie’s brain,” she whispered back.

“Or else it was that Mexican jail. Something sure did a number on her.”

Tanya smiled ever so faintly. Tell me about it. Then, her mind already dismissing her roommates, she continued her reading.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Aurora and Dorian’s room,

Mission Bay Hospital

AURORA WATCHED DORIAN study her tray of hospital-bland food under the watchful eyes of their parents.

“All right now, girls, start with the juice, then the broth and hot tea, and save the Jello-O for dessert,” Mrs. Collins said.

“Mother, we’re not children anymore. I can eat my Jello-O whenever I want—like right now, because I’m not eating this other gross stuff.” Dorian’s face screwed up in an excellent imitation of a child.

“Aurora, start on your food. Set a good example for your sister,” Mr. Collins suggested. “Not that you haven’t always done so,” he quickly added.

The awkward moment was smoothed over by Aurora’s warm response. “I’m with Dorian. Dessert first. Trade you my green for your red?”

“Done. I hate red.”

“I know.”

“I hope they have good food in that place Tanya’s in,” Mrs. Collins said in a quavering voice that quickly steadied itself. “She’s such a picky eater. Just like you two. Let me help you, Aurora. Stan, you help Dorian. We’ll start with the broth.”

“Mooooooommmmm!” Dorian protested as her father picked up the soupspoon and began to feed her. “Rory, tell them to stop!”

Aurora pretended she couldn’t hear. In truth, sounds were quite muffled. Her damaged ears were stuffed with the antibiotic-saturated gauze required for optimum healing, but that wasn’t the only reason she sat still for her parents’ antics. Aurora knew they’d missed out on so many firsts in her life.

She’d finished high school by correspondence. They never saw her graduate. Never saw her dressed for a senior prom—because she’d never gone. Never knew who her first crush was—or the first man she’d truly loved. They’d missed her birthdays, and she’d missed their anniversaries. Holidays came and went without their being together. She’d missed her sister’s wedding because she was at sea so long that when she got the invitation, the wedding was over. The least she could do was let them fuss over her. It wasn’t much compensation for all they’d missed, but it was a start. Everyone knows I’ll have enough free time now.

Despite her brave words, first to Dorian and then later in a long conversation with her parents, the end of her diving career devastated her.

First I lose my boat, then my diving ability, my whole way of life. Have I lost Jordan as well because of it?

She hoped not, but would he want someone like her? A rule breaker? A renegade who could no longer earn a living doing what they both loved—plumbing the ocean depths? A salvager gone bust? As for salvaging the San Rafael, that had been an even bigger bust. As far as she knew, nothing had been recovered—and now never would.

With her cotton-stuffed ears, Aurora didn’t hear the knock at the door, but she saw Neil and Donna enter.

“Surprise,” Donna said, holding up a large bag with the Baskin-Robbins logo.

“And just in the nick of time, by the looks of it.”