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“It felt so real.”

My father pulled out the stool at the kitchen island. “Hop up.”

I did as I was told. The stool was cold against the back of my thighs. I shivered. “Is there something wrong with me? How could I not know I was dreaming?”

“I told you, a high fever can cause hallucinations. People who have them think they're real. I've seen people think bugs were crawling on their skin, and one man even thought he was Benjamin Franklin. He recited historical information, and all of it was accurate, but he wasn't Benjamin Franklin.”

“Really?”

“Yup. He was convinced. In reality, he was suffering from a fever that was one hundred and six degrees because he had a brain tumor.”

“Do I have a brain tumor?” I asked. My voice was shaky, and my eyes popped open wide.

“No, Pumpkin. You don't have a brain tumor.” He gave me a smile and then began rummaging through his bag. He took out a brown bottle and poured some cherry-red syrup into a medicine cup. “Here, drink this. You'll feel much better after.”

“Are you sure I don't have a brain tumor?” I asked as I took the cup and drank down the sour liquid.

“I'm positive.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I'm a doctor.”

“I thought you were a pharmacist?”

“I'm that too. I'm a doctor who develops medicine.”

“Well, your medicine tastes horrible.” I stuck out my tongue and scrunched up my nose.

“Think of it like vegetables. They don't always taste the best—”

“Like peas,” I chimed in.

“Yes, like peas. But they're good for you. They help your body get stronger.”

“Then why is Mom always so sick? You give her medicine, and it doesn't seem to help.”

“Mom is different.”

“Why? What's wrong with her?”

“Pumpkin—”

I cut him off. “You said you'd explain it to me when I was older. I'm older now.”

“Not old enough, Poppy, but soon. Alright?” He stood beside me and draped his hand down my head.

I pulled away and looked up at him. “When is soon? What if I do have what she has? Maybe I'm going to be as sick as her.”

“You just need to trust me. You don't have what your mother has, and I will explain it one day. Right now, I want you to go upstairs and take a shower for school.”

“But I thought I was sick? Shouldn't I stay home and get better like Mom?”

“The medicine will make you all better.”

“Yes, but—”

“Forget about the fever. I think school will help take your mind off that nightmare.”