Free Earth Blend by Lori Pescatore Page B

growth. The news that Austin started
showing signs of Blend abilities worried him. His wife knew nothing
of Austin's unusual birth. He married her after Austin was born. He
was concerned about how Austin would react. His wife, Helene, was a
wonderful, loving mother to the boy. He could not have asked for a
better maternal figure. Before his son walked in, his wife had been
shouting at him. She wanted to tell Austin the truth that she was
not his birth mother long before this.
    “ Austin.” Jacob greeted. “It's good to
see you.”
    “ Good to see me? You've been gone for
three years and kept secrets from me and that's all you have to
say?”
    “ Austin, calm down. You're not giving
me an opportunity to explain.”
    “ Explain what? That my whole life has
been a lie!”
    Jacob was trying to calm his son down but
his wife began crying. He felt guilty on both fronts. “Austin, how
about we go take a walk. All this arguing is upsetting your
mother.” He watched as a pained expression came over Austin's
face.
    “ No... no... not again.” Austin cried
out, grabbing his head.
    Jacob went over to his son and placed a hand
on his back. “Son, what's wrong?”
    Austin backed away from him. He pressed
himself into the corner and sunk down to the floor.
    Jacob quickly pulled out his phone and
dialed Gregg. He rapidly explained Austin's condition. While still
on the phone, he knelt down in front of his son. “Uncle Gordi wants
you to come see him. He can help.”
    Austin seemed to not hear anything his
father was saying. He looked up, his eyes crazed. “I gotta get out
of here!” He stood and took off running.
    “ Gregg... what should I do?” Jacob was
beside himself; he felt helpless He was glad when Gregg said he
would come down. After hanging up, he looked at his wife. “Helene,
I'm sorry. There is more going on than you realize. I have a lot of
apologizing to do. I'm going to try and make things right. I need
to go find Austin, will you be okay?”
    Helene dried her face with a tissue and
nodded.
    Jacob left the Laundromat and was dismayed
to see it raining heavily again. It had started to clear up when he
arrived earlier. He grabbed an umbrella from his car and went in
search of Austin.
    Julie finished up her duties and exited the hospital. She intended
to walk into town to her new job. “Oh man!” She exclaimed, looking
at the pouring rain.
    “ Tell me you are waiting for Austin to
pick you up and I promise not to kill him when he pulls up.” Marcus
said, coming up behind her.
    “ No, actually. I was planning on
walking into town.”
    “ So, he's not on his way?” Marcus
huffed. He took out his cell phone and dialed Austin's number.
After a moment, he snapped his phone shut. “That is the last time I
let him use my car!” He was agitated.
    Julie began to worry. “I hope he is
okay.”
    “ My car better be.”
    “ Is that all you care about, that damn
car?”
    “ That 'damn' car cost me three months'
pay.” He opened up his phone again and dialed. “Yes, his is Doctor
Samson at Smyth County Hospital. I need a car here ASAP. Great. I'm
right out front. Thank you.” He snapped his phone shut. “He is so
dead.”
    “ Aren't you even the least bit
worried? I don't understand you!” Julie was getting
upset.
    “ Oh chill the drama. He's probably
with his dad.”
    Julie looked perplexed. “I thought his dad
was in France?”
    “ He was. He flew back
yesterday.”
    “ How do you know all this?”
    “ Uncle Gregg told me when I called him
after we talked.”
    Julie put a hand on her hip. “So I actually
got through to you?”
    Marcus glanced at her out of the corner of
his eye but said nothing. A moment later a taxi pulled up.
    “ Doctor Samson?” The driver asked as
he stepped from behind the wheel.
    “ That'd be me.” Marcus answered as he
opened the cab door. He held the door open and gestured for Julie
to enter. “Come on. I'll let you ride with me. I'm going to get
something to eat in town