Medical Issues
“How long has it been since you’ve had an episode like that Kari?” She sighs lightly as she looks at her doctor, Kevin Tran. “It’s been a while… I thought I was getting better. It’s harder to control when I have classes it seems…” She watches him nod, as he types in notes into the small handheld computer. “Alright… you know if you don’t take your Iron pills the anemia will only get worse, and you’ll find passing out might happen, which is highly unhealthy.” Kari nods, having heard the speeches multiple times. “I might suggest, if the pills don’t seem to help in a month’s time, we should give you the IV. It will help with the fatigue- But let’s up the dosage on the pills first, and come back to see me in a month.” She thanks him, before leaving and going to find Henry in the waiting room.
“So are you dying?” She punches him in the shoulder lightly, yet still smiles lightly. “More pills… still just anemia.” She watches Henry nod, before he slips his arm around her shoulder. “Hey Henry… did you start living in my house?” She wonders as they walk towards her car, Henry holding onto the keys. “Yeah so… I may or may not have brought a lady home and she’s been persistently a stalker… I’m hiding out in your safe, homey, place for a bit.” She laughs lightly, and nods, before getting into the car, letting Henry drive her vehicle. “Maybe I’ll stick to sleeping with dudes for a little while.” The corner of her lips raise into a smile. “The beauty of being bisexual….” She laughs when he speaks those words, but shakes her head in dismay. “I’m glad you can see the positive in the situation Henry… you’re always welcomed in my home.” She grins a little and he winks at her. “I prefer the men anyways, but you know…” She rolls her eyes at the slightly predatory gleam in his eyes. “Do you think I can get with a professor?” Kari blinks, shocked into silence by the question.
“I mean… as long as they don’t teach me per say I should be fine right?” She gapes at him, but then shakes her head in dismay. “Do whatever you want Henry… you’re the one in Pre-Law anyways.” She leans back against the seat of her 1998 black neon. “I’ll bring you straight to class if you want?” She simply nods her head, before closing her eyes. She didn’t want to miss any classes on the first week. “I have Chuck Shurley’s class on western thoughts….” There isn’t much to tell about the walk to class. When they arrive to the class, she can see she’s the first one there, and so Henry slides into a seat beside her, both of them turning when they see Professor Shurley enter. “Am I late?” The professor asks, as he looks down at his watch. They both shake their head no, and by the gleam in Henry’s eyes, she pities the Professor right about now.
Professor Shurley has to be the most enigmatic teacher she’s ever had. His lesson is vague, he basically doesn’t hold the bar high, and his minimum requirement to pass is to be present. She finds herself walking towards the Roadhouse Bar, and sliding into the booth, sitting in front of Henry. “Charlie and Becky can’t come; they’ve got some weird club thing to go to.” She speaks softly, and receives a nod of understanding from Henry. “Hey guys, what can I get you?” Kari turns to watch Jo, and smiles at the familiar face. “I’ll get a chocolate Milkshake and a basket of spicy chicken wings.” She says making Jo nod lightly. “I’ll have a beer, Molson, and whatever sandwich Garth will make me.” Jo writes down their orders before leaning forward against the table to whisper. “That Sam Campbell dude is pretty cute, don’t you think?” Both of them shrug glancing around to see if their Professors are around. They aren’t this time.
“Hey are you feeling okay Kari? I heard you went to the doctors.” She glares at Henry, once Jo finishes asking her question. “Yeah I’m fine no worries… wrong dosage… it was too low.” She sees Jo nods before scampering off with a bounce in her step to go put out their orders. “She’s adorable.” Kari nods a little, before leaning back against the booths chair. “I see Chuck Shurley, and mister muscles coming this way.” She sits up rather abruptly at Henry’s observation, just in time for the two aforementioned men to show up in front of their table. “Can we sit here, all other tables are filled and it will only be us this time.” She shrugs unsure of how to reject or accept the offer. “Yeah go ahead. Professor Shurley… and?” The big burly man, finally speak a Louisiana accent coming through. “I’m Benny Lafitte. Please don’t call me Professor Lafitte. I’m off the clock, brother.” They both nod, and Professor Shurley interjects asking to be called Chuck.
“Do you like being here, compared to wherever you guys are from?” The professor’s nod and Kari keeps quiet realizing that this conversation is mostly between the three boys. “We move around a lot, and so this ended up being the new place.” Chuck answers, making it clear that neither of these men are shy about speaking to semi-strangers or students. The conversation stays pretty light, until ten o’clock approaches and Henry drags her along to go home. Henry in a split second blabs out before they leave that she needs to rest so she doesn’t get sicker. The look on the professor’s faces tells her that the news may soon be making its round across to their other professor friends. Kari holds back a groan at the plethora of questions that may soon be thrown her way.
Sleep doesn’t come easy when worries of things that may come burden someone’s mind. Sleeping in class, even though Professor Shurley hasn’t woken her up is a huge embarrassment. “I hope I’m not that boring.” Her eyes flutter open and she feels her face heat up in embarrassment. “I’m sorry… I-” She can tell by his grinning face that he doesn’t mind. “Professor… am I your only student?” He shrugs a little, holding out a piece of paper. “I should have 27 students… but they seem to not wish to come to class. I did ask that the only rule is to be present.” She watches him shake his head, before he continues with the lesson, this time Kari makes sure to stay awake.
“Is he a good teacher?” Kari nods her head a little, offering Charlie a soft smile, still too tired to function. “Castiel Novak is a good teacher too.” Kari blinks, unsure of what the other is trying to imply. “May we join you again?” There’s no mistaking the burly voice of Professor Lafitte, as Kari turns her head to look at them. “Chuck Shurley and Benny Lafitte….” She introduces softly, after having told them it was ok for them to join their table. Chuck sits beside Benny, leaving a space for a person beside them. Kari sits herself beside Charlie. “Are you doing better Kari?” The question makes her look up, the deep voice startling her. Castiel Novak. “Uh- it’s just medical issues no worries.”