Read Online The Childe by C. A. Kunz - Free Book Online Page B

due to them thinking they were fat. His daughter had gone through that phase and it had driven him nuts.
    Outside, Cat was lead to a picnic table away from the crowd. The paramedic looked at Cat and shut his bag. He stayed with her until her friends came back with an assortment of drinks and food, enough to feed themselves and a few others too.
    “I’m going to leave now, okay. Eat slowly and then, and only then, get up and start walking around. No crazy rides for the rest of the night. You might even want to consider going home a little early,” the paramedic said and then walked away. Matt handed Cat a hot dog with mustard and ketchup from the tray that Amanda had brought over. She took a bite and started chewing slowly as she had been directed. Everyone else sat down at the table with her and grabbed a hot dog, apparently having not eaten as well.
    “How are you feeling Cat? Do you want to go home?”
    Startled, Cat looked at Amanda. “Yeah…unfortunately I think I’ve had enough tonight.”
    “All right, I’ll call my mom and have her pick us up,” she said, taking out her cell.
    During their walk back toward the entrance, making sure no one was watching, Cat reached up and felt the painful small knot on her forehead.
    “What happened to you?” Taylor’s voice called out in front of them.
    “Hey Taylor, my man!” Matt gushed, outstretching his hand for a high five. Taylor rolled his eyes and walked passed him toward his sister.
    “Hey Cat! Heard you had problems at the ferris wheel?” Taylor’s best friend and captain of the football team, Jonathen, interjected.
    “What do you mean? I was talking about the house of mirrors, what happened at the ferris wheel?” Taylor asked, turning to Jonathen.
    “I don’t know, ask your sister,” Jonathen replied. All eyes turned to Cat.
    “Well, Cat, what did you do this time?” Taylor asked with a sigh.
    “I didn’t do anything! Why do you automatically think I did something wrong? For your information, I had a little run in with Isaac.” Taylor’s facial expression became serious. “Hannah was going on the ride with me and Isaac didn’t like the idea,” she said shrugging her shoulders, acting like it was no big deal.
    Taylor’s friends gathered closer around Cat, looking at her with anger in their eyes.
    “Did he touch you?” Taylor seethed through clenched teeth.
    “Of course not. He wouldn’t dare,” Cat replied not liking the look on their faces. “Taylor why are you so angry, he’s just a jerk. I can handle him,” she said vehemently.
    “I don’t like anyone messing with my family, especially my little sister!” His voice carried over the noises around him.
    “I didn’t know you cared so much,” she said with an impish smile, trying to break the tension.
    “Yeah, well I have my weak moments. Just don’t get used to it, doesn’t happen often.”
    “Well hello fellow classmates,” a sickly sweet, voice piped up behind Cat. “Hey Cat, congrats on making the swim team, I knew you would. Oh Taylor, aren’t you proud of your little sis?” Cat turned to see Kirsten and her lackeys, Jessica and Tonya, standing there. Out of the corner of her eye, Cat saw Matt’s eyes grow wide, drawn to Kirsten’s snug fitting sweater leaving nothing to the imagination. His mouth had fallen open and Amanda reached up and pushed it closed.
    “You made the swim team?” Taylor asked looking at Cat.
    “Yeah, I guess you didn’t hear, as you were out with Trish last night when I came home,” she said throwing Trish, Taylor’s girlfriend, a big smile. Cat really liked the sassy, petite brunette and knew she was exactly the type of girl to keep her brother in line.
    “Oh Cat, that’s awesome!” Trish smiled back, putting her arm around her. “Two athletes in one family! We should go celebrate!” Standing behind Trish, Taylor shook his head, mouthing the word no to Cat.
    “Cat I just talked to my Mom, she’ll be here shortly,” Amanda