Weekend by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online

here on what seemed to be a permanent basis. Was Robin withdrawing? What was here except the ocean and sand? Yet Lena had said it had been Robin's idea to have the party.
    "I'd like you to do a favour for me," Shani began. "Kerry's riding in the van with Sol and—"
    "And you want me to be nice to her," Lena interrupted. "Funny you should say that. And I was just collecting these needles to stuff her pillow with."
    "Please, you don't want fighting at your own party."
    Lena's eyes sparkled. "Oh, I don't know, it might liven things up. Look, I'll make a bargain with you, and you can pass this on to Kerry. If she leaves me alone, I'll leave her alone. Otherwise, she'll wish she had never come."
    "Now that sounds like a fair deal to me," Park quipped. Shani felt far from relieved.
    They were on the verge of entering the house when Robin's nurse, Ellen Porter, came out of the front door carrying a small suitcase. Miss Porter looked like a nurse even without the white uniform. Well into her sixties, she had helped take care of Robin and Lena when they had been infants, and had been with the Carlton family— off and on — ever since. She was a stern lady who believed firmly in discipline and suffering for the sake of character. Shani had once seen her slap Lena in the face for cussing. The fact that she was still alive indicated that she was as lucky as she was strict. When Robin had been taken ill, Mr. Carlton had sent her through special training for the care of critically ill kidney patients. Much of this knowledge she had passed on to Lena. Her salary was equivalent to that of most M.D.'s. She had never married.
    "Hi, girls. Hi, Park," she said, setting down her suitcase on the steps of the porch. "How was the drive down?"
    "Dusty," Angie said.
    "And bumpy," Shani added. "How are you, Ms. Porter?"
    "As well as can be expected in this heat." She turned to Lena. "I thought you were going to get dressed, young lady. Running around like that… what will the boys think?"
    Lena was bored. "It's too late to worry about that."
    Nurse Porter frowned and checked her watch. "Well, I must be off if I'm to catch my plane. Are you sure you don't want me to stay?"
    Lena shook her head. "I've done the dialysis over three dozen times with you here. It will be no different with you away. Trust me."
    "We should have done Robin already today, before her friends started to arrive."
    "You're right," Lena said. "But she was too busy getting things ready."
    It was obvious that Nurse Porter would have been more comfortable staying. "One thing, Lena, don't touch anything inside the kidney machine. I've replaced the cellophane membrane, and the dialyzing solution is fresh. All you have to do is put the needles in her shunts and throw the switch. Call if you have a problem." She hugged Lena. "I hope the two of you have fun."
    "I'll take care of her," Lena promised.
    "I know you will, dear."
    "Can I help you with your bag?" Park asked.
    "There's a gentleman for you. Yes, Park, thank you. I'll be taking the Porsche in the garage." She came down the steps, searching for the keys in her purse. Park hopped on to the porch and grabbed her bag, following on her heels. Only as she passed him did Ms. Porter seem to become aware of Flynn. As was his habit, he had been standing back from the rest of them. Her initial reaction was, Shani was sure, one of pure amazement. But it was only a flicker, and then she was peering at him with undisguised curiosity.
    "And who do we have here?" she mused.
    Shani took a step towards Flynn. "This is a good friend of ours, Ms. Porter — Flynn from England. He only started at Hoover last semester break. Flynn, this is Robin's nurse. You never met her while visiting Robin?"
    "I didn't have the pleasure," Flynn bowed slightly. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Porter."
    "Nice to meet you. Are you a… friend of Robin's?"
    "We've only spoken a few times."
    "I see." Ms. Porter seemed to be thinking. "Flynn — that's a nice name. Sounds