Charisma by Jeanne Ryan Read Free Book Online Page B

right?”
    â€œI guess.” I don’t ask why she thinks we need to even up if she didn’t sic Shane on me.
    As we return to the main pavilion, I notice Dr. Sternfield chatting with Rosa, who nods and bites her lip. Is she letting Rosa in on her newest research? A bolt of jealousy shoots through me. I start toward them.
    But Sammy heads me off. He giggles and is joined by Dr. Gordon, aka Dr. Sternfield’s dad and Nova Genetics’ director. He stands almost twice Sammy’s height and has shoulders that could probably bust through concrete, but his sandy hair and round tinted glasses make him resemble a giant koala bear.
    He greets us by name with a warm hello. “How was the dig, girls?”
    â€œGreat,” Chloe lies. “Except for the clams, but I’m sure they’re in geoduck heaven.”
    He chuckles. “Charlie used to love harvesting her own clams. Did she join you?”
    I can’t imagine Dr. Sternfield pawing through the sand dressed in one of her impeccable outfits. “Not today.”
    â€œMy girl, the workaholic.” He shakes his head with pride.
    Sammy launches into a fit of coughing that we wait with averted eyes for him to complete. But it keeps going. I pat his back, which feels warm through his T-shirt. His face is damp from the exertion and he pulls a tissue from his pocket.
    I say, “Let’s sit, huh? You feel hot.”
    He chokes out, “I’m okay.”
    Mom’s already spotted us and hurries over. I sigh. Sammy hates a commotion on his behalf. Within minutes, Mom and Dr. Gordon take him off to one of Nova Genetics’ doctors for a look-see. Sammy’s eyes are miserable as he’s hauled away, coughing. If only it could be me enduring some of this on his behalf.
    Before anyone else’s mood dives into somberness, Sally Sims bounces among the crowd in her dainty flats, calling out, “We’ve got a scrumptious lunch for everyone.”
    I’ve feasted here often enough to guess that the buffet will include fresh crab legs and truffle risotto. Hopefully, Sammy’ll finish up with the doctor soon. I scan for Chloe, but she’s deep in conversation with Shane, probably telling him what a misfit I am and not to take it personally. Great, I’ll have to eat alone. Not that I have much appetite. Shoulders slumped, I follow the crowd.
    Near the door, I’m overtaken by a waft of jasmine cologne from behind. I whip around to find Dr. Sternfield at my side. She’s dressed all in white, from her silk hairband to her shiny pumps. In that instant, a beam of sunshine flares through the large window above, lighting her up like a modern-day fairy godmother.
    And, oh, do I have wishes.
    Gene Doping—The End of Competitive Sports?
Or the Beginning of a Whole New Game?
    by Lance Starkman,
US Sports and Leisure
    The rapid muscle gain by college senior Will Williams, starting linebacker for the Warriors football team, has opposing teams up in arms. Williams insists his fifty-pound gain in the past year is due to an intense weight-lifting regimen, high-protein diet, and “good old-fashioned growth spurt.” Others point a finger to the new science of gene doping, where altered DNA is injected into an athlete’s body to increase athletic performance by stimulating pain tolerance, muscle growth, and endurance.
    The International Council on Sportsmanship is developing a blood test to detect altered genes. Dr. Sampson Vogler states, “Artificially introduced DNA lacks certain sequences found in naturally occurring DNA. We know where to look and we know what to look for. This test should be included in our arsenal before the end of the year.”
    So far, science may be able to catch up with cheaters. But others believe it’s only a matter of time before those seeking to circumvent the testing process develop transgenic genes that don’t include the telltale signs of manipulation. Like the perfect