The Blue Divide

Chapter 14

An unfamiliar man was in the living room when Eko got out of bed in the morning. He was tall, with a full head of white hair and a serious face.

"Thanks for coming here," Alec was saying. "I know you don't usually do home visits."

The other man smiled. "I live three houses away Alec. I've known you since we were kids. Do you really think it's that much trouble for me to stop in to see you?"

Alec grinned. "So what's the verdict? Do I have a few more days left in me?"

"More than a few. You're certainly no worse than last time. Keep taking your prescriptions every day and I would say you have a chance at a few more years."

"So I can keep fishing?"

"If that's what makes you happy. Just don't go overdoing it. You've got to feel out your limits."

A door opened and Lainey came out of her room, a school bag hanging from her shoulder. "Good morning Dr. Sully," she said. "I didn't know you were coming today."

The white haired man stood up. "I thought I'd stop by on my way to the hospital and check up on your grandpa. Seems he doesn't need my help." He patted Alec's back.

Now that Lainey was there, Eko felt awkward eavesdropping. He walked into the room, getting a look from Dr. Sully.

"So here's the young castaway I've heard so much about. He was all the buzz when he was at the hospital, but I never got a chance to look in on him." He went over to Eko and held out his hand. "I'm Dr. Sully."

Eko looked at the hand. He had nothing to give the man, so he decided to ignore it. "My name's Eko."

"Any last name?"

"Fiskerd."

"Fiskerd? Is that Swedish or something?"

He shrugged.

"So the police know your name. They have your prints. Why haven't they figured out where you came from? You'd think someone would be missing a fine kid like you. What are you, eighteen? Nineteen?"

"Eighteen."

"So there's a chance you could be from one of the colleges. Freshmen are always getting into trouble." He sat on the couch and folded his arms. "But you don't remember a single thing? Not even the name of a relative? Or your favorite food?"

Eko shook his head. "I remember battling the waves and struggling to breathe. But nothing before that." The vibration of his words tickled his throat and he let out a wracking cough.

Lainey came over and touched his arm, and then looked at Dr. Sully. "Eko went swimming last night and breathed in some water. I heard him coughing all night. Do you think you could take a look at him? I'm scared he'll catch pneumonia again."

"Of course," said Dr. Sully, motioning for Eko to come closer.

Eko came slowly, his body tense. Dr. Sully said he worked at the hospital. Was he going to poke and prod him the way the doctors and nurses had there? The man had him remove his shirt and sit on a chair. He shined a light down his throat and told him to breathe in and out while he pressed a small round instrument to his chest. Eko had gotten used to such examinations in the hospital.

"He and I were going to do some more fishing," Alec said. "If the herring are as plentiful as yesterday I want to get out there before the Aeolus cleans them out."

"Not a good idea," Dr. Sully said. "The cold air on the ocean would be bad for his lungs." He lifted up Eko's eyelids. "You should stay inside today. Don't go near the water. I'll prescribe you some strong cough syrup." He turned to Lainey and Alec. "Let me know if his cough gets any worse. In the meantime the prescription should help him feel better. You always need to watch people like him. A relapse would be bad news." He stood up and grabbed his coat from the armrest of the couch and headed for the door. "We'll be in touch," he said as Alec and Lainey thanked him. Then he walked out.