Just like the first time he’d had a patient Cas just needed to close his eyes and concentrate. When he opened his eyes he and Alexia were standing in front of a poor looking house.
“I don’t think the people that live here will have the money to pay you, uncle Emmanuel” Alexia đã đưa ý kiến sad.
“I won’t ask for money” Cas replied. “The mother and her son can offer me their gratitude. That will be enough”
That cheered Alexia up. “You really are a good person, uncle Emmanuel”
Cas frowned. It seemed like Alexia was trying to convince him of that, but he didn’t know why. He walked to the front door and rang the bell.
A woman in her early thirties opened the door. Her light brown hair was tied up loosely and she was wearing an apron. Cas thought she tried to cover her frayed clothes. The woman had black stains on her face from ashes.
“Mr. Allen, right?” she asked nervous. She wiped her dirty hands off on the khăn, tạp dề and reached her right one out. Cas accepted. “Please, come in” She guided Cas and Alexia through the hallway, into the living room. There was a lot of stuff lying around and it seemed the house hadn’t been cleaned in a while.
“I’m sorry for the mess” the woman apologized. “I didn’t have the chance to clean up yet” She stopped at the đi văng and bent on her knees.
“Jerrick, sweetie, the doctor’s here. He’ll make bạn feel all better” the woman said. She looked up at Cas, tears in her eyes. “Please, he’s really sick”
The boy, not older than 7, sweated and looked very pale. He opened his eyes for a second, then closed them again. He coughed and frowned, because coughing hurt.
Cas walked towards him and bent on his knees. He stuck out his hand and touched Jerrick’s forehead. The mother was holding his hand, which was very moist, but slowly but surely she felt how her son’s body got its normal temperature back.
Jerrick slowly opened his eyes. “Mom?”
“I’m here. You’re okay” his mother sighed relieved and she threw her arms around him.
“I think we should go” Cas đã đưa ý kiến to Alexia.
The mother let go of her son. She wiped her tears away. “How much do I owe you?” she asked casual.
Cas waved his hand. “I will not accept anything but your gratitude, madam”
The woman frowned confused. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I’m not…kidding you” Cas said.
“Well” the woman started and she looked at Alexia. “Maybe your daughter wants something”
“She’s not my daughter” Cas đã đưa ý kiến quickly.
“Okay, my mistake” the woman đã đưa ý kiến and she walked to the cabinet and opened the first drawer. She quickly searched it and collected some coins. She walked to Cas and put the money in his hands.
“I don’t want your money” Cas protested and he tried to give it back, but the woman stepped back. “Please, take it. It’s all I have” she begged. “I’m not going to take advantage of your kindness, sir. Just take the money and go”
Cas realized he had no choice and so he left with Alexia and the money. Once outside he pulled out the wallet Daphne had được trao him for emergencies. He pulled out all the paper money and shoved it underneath the door.