The Book in the Attic

The third floor of the hospital was reserved for ultrasound. Sitting in the doctor’s office, tears streamed down Nancy Patterson’s face. Her drowning brown eyes stood out against blonde hair pulled back loosely. Jeremy had been growing for almost seven months now, swelling Nancy’s stomach.1

“Ms. Patterson, did you hear me?” the doctor said, barely above a whisper. This was always the worst part of his job.2

She sat down a book with a blank cover she had been reading. “Yes,” she replied, “I heard you.” There was a pause as Nancy pushed back tears. Finally she said, “How do we treat it”3

The doctor, whose name Nancy couldn’t pronounce, leaned against the counter as he searched for words. “There is no known treatment for progeria, Ms. Patterson.”4

Jeremy was one in eight million infants diagnosed with progeria, and up until now Nancy knew very little about it. What she was told was devastating. As soon as her child is born, he will age twice as fast as normal children. Jeremy will be lucky to see age thirteen. On top of that, there is no cure.5

The doctor offered his condolences, as if the child had already died, and gave Nancy a minute alone. She cried silently while looking out at the still leaves of the Tennessee trees.6

#7

10 Years Later8

“Jeremy are you paying attention?” Though she wasn’t past age 40, Mrs. Hansen had an aged look that came with teaching fourth grade. She had brown hair and seemed like a giant to the fourth graders, being almost six feet tall.9

“Of course I am, Mrs. Hansen.” Jeremy lazily retorted. 10

“Then I’m sure you won’t have any trouble telling me what the last chapter was about?”11

“Uh, something about a guy?” His short brown hair and piercing blue eyes were obvious gifts from his parents genes. By age nine, (though he will argue nine and a half) Jeremy was well aware of his condition. He felt thirty years old and was in his second year of fourth grade. After all, what’s the point of learning if you’re not going to live past thirteen?12

“Mr. Patterson, it is imperative that you pay attention during class. Or were you hoping to be with me a third year?” The class giggled. Jeremy gave a sarcastic smile and the reading activity resumed.13

Mrs. Hansen has known about Jeremy’s progeria long enough now, but joked with him, pushed him, and treated him just like any other student. She was also aware of the fact that Jeremy has fallen behind in his reading progress.14

The final bell rang and all the students rushed out the door like inmates fresh out of jail. “Hold up, Jeremy. I’d like to talk to you a minute.” Freedom just out of reach, he turned to his teacher. One can only expect bad things when held after class. Mrs. Hansen sensed his fear. “Don’t worry Jeremy, you aren’t in any trouble.”15

He gave an audible sigh and sat down. “So, uh, what’s up then?”16

“Jeremy, you and I both know your reading level is far lower than average,” she said as kindly as possible. “And I know that I,” there was a slight falter in her voice. “Uh, I know that I normally look past your condition, but just this once I think it needs to be brought up.” His expression gave her permission to go on. “Well Jeremy, the bottom line is this: wouldn’t you like to read just one book in your life?”17

Her frankness startled Jeremy. In fact, no one had spoken to him like that in a long time. It was quite a relief for him. Other than his mom, Mrs. Hansen is the only one who treated him most like a human. Jeremy liked her. So he gave her a chance to make her case.18

“What do you mean Mrs. Hansen? I read lots of books.”19

“Jeremy you don’t have to lie to me. I know you haven’t been reading your assignments and I know why. You don’t see a point in reading, considering you won’t use the skill for long anyway, right?”20

“Yea kinda.”21

“I understand how you are feeling, but can you imagine how proud you will be of your accomplishment?”22

Jeremy sat, looking at the floor, thinking about what she had said. All of his classmates have read at least one short book. They did seem pretty happy when they finished their books. But he was dying for God’s sakes! Slowly, day by day, he was dying. Did he have time for reading?23

Mrs. Hansen kindly gave him time to chew this over. She gazed out the classroom window. The gallant American flag appeared old and rugged in the stale air, unmoving, hugging the rusty metal pole.24

“I’ll do it.”25

“What?” Mrs. Hansen was shaken out of her daydream.26

“I’ll do it. I’ll read.”27

“Oh Jeremy, that’s fantastic! This will take some work and I don’t want to force you into anything.”28

“Don’t worry Mrs. Hansen. I want to do this. Besides,” he said with a smile. “There’s a book I’ve had my eye on.”29

#30

Jeremy plowed through the front door of his house. It was a white, plain looking home. It was probably too big for Jeremy and his mother. Ms. Patterson’s husband passed away before Jeremy was born. Now it was just Nancy and her little boy.31

“Mom!”, Jeremy shouted into the house. “Mom, I gotta tell you something!”32

Ten years older than when she sat in the hospital, and looking it, Nancy Patterson came out of the kitchen. “What are you going on about?”33

“I’m gonna read!”34

He relayed the story to his mother with great enthusiasm. When he finished, Jeremy said, “So do you think I can do it?”35

Nancy’s aging eyes blurred at thinking of her dear child’s imminent death. Nonetheless, she was proud of her son’s decision. She bent down to Jeremy, cupped his face with her hand, and said softly, “You can do anything you put your mind to.”36

“I’m going to do it, Mom. Mrs. Hansen is going to help me learn to read and I’m going to finish a whole book!”37

“Have you thought about which book to read?”38

Jeremy had, in fact, not stopped thinking about that very question since he left school. “Well,” he hesitated, “I was thinking about reading that book that Dad left.”39

His mother’s joy did not falter at the mention of her late husband. The times they shared were filled with happiness. The book that he had left her had a message inscribed on the inside cover. It read, “The greatest things in life cannot be described with a title. The greatest people in history are the unknown. The greatest planets are those that have not been named.” Nancy’s husband had had the untitled book since before they were married. He never did tell her where he got it. She felt honored that Jeremy wanted to read it.40

“Of course you can borrow your father’s book.”41

“Are you sure that’s okay, Mom?”42

“He would be proud to know his little boy is interested in it.”43

With a giant grin, he started to race toward the attic before his mother called, “Jeremy, aren’t you forgetting something?”44

He searched his brain and sheepishly replied, “I love you?” Apparently that was not what she was looking for because she giggled and shook her head.45

“No dear, you have to learn how to read first.”46

Of course, why didn’t he think of that? “Well, what am I supposed to do until then?” he said.47

“Why don’t you start with your homework for today?”48

He would have much rather gone outside to play, but he decided it was best not to argue. “Alright.” is all he said. He drudged across the hall to his room. The room was as white as the house with a few boyish decorations. Jeremy plopped onto his bed, unzipped his backpack, and pulled out his books.49

Today he had science homework. They were learning about diseases this week. His textbook showed a middle-aged cancer patient. Jeremy thought about the man’s life. He had to have lived thirty years at the time the picture was taken. He probably had kids. He probably went to high school. Jeremy thought about the painful therapy the man had gone through. But mostly, Jeremy thought about how lucky the man was. He had already lived twice as long as Jeremy ever will. The man has a chance to be cured. For Jeremy, there is no cure.50

The science book was thrown across the room and slammed against the wall. Jeremy’s brain hurt, he was exasperated. He walked over to his window and pushed it open. Another breezeless day, but he liked the fresh air. So for the second time that week, Nancy found her son asleep at his desk, next to the window.51

Jeremy stayed late after school and worked with Mrs. Hansen for the rest of the school-year. When summer break came along he still wasn’t ready to read the book in the attic. As reluctant as he was to actually have to learn things during the summer, Jeremy agreed to let his mom continue teaching him. After all, Mrs. Hansen won’t be his teacher next year.52

Before fifth grade was over, Jeremy had started his book. Ms. Patterson was so happy he was reading something his father was so close to. Every time he finished a chapter she listened intently to his ramblings about the story, trying to keep up with his excitement.53

Occasionally, Jeremy struggled with the book. Either there was something he didn’t understand or words he didn’t know. He still kept in touch with his fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Hansen. When he had problems he always preferred to go to her. 54

#55

Fifth grade was coming to an end and the pressure was on. Next year he would be going to junior high. Jeremy was very excited, but also a little scared. He was unsure of how the kids would react to his illness. He was supposed to be almost thirteen years old, but he was starting to look like a senior citizen. Progeria was pilfering Jeremy’s health more and more as the days drudged on. 56

It was July fifth. The celebrations were stale by then. The air still had the faint smell of fireworks. Jeremy was sitting in his room, watching unsaying flowers sit dead in their beauty when it happened. It was as if suddenly the iron grip of old age took hold of Jeremy’s young heart. His throat was paralyzed with fear and could not utter a sound. He began to tremble. It was cold and then it was black. 57

“Jeremy asleep at the window again? It’s only six o’clock and it’s time for dinner. Now get up.” The neighbors had heard Nancy’s scream when she discovered her son void of breath.58

The young boy was immediately rushed to the hospital. One operation was all it took to keep him from dying that night. Nancy insisted on meeting the doctor responsible for such a miracle. He was very bush of course, but shook Ms. Patterson’s hand and accepted her praise. As he turned to walk away, Nancy realized she had forgotten to ask his name, but by the time she realized he wasn’t wearing his nametag, he was already with another doctor and off down the hall. After eight hours, Jeremy bolted upright in his bed and was greeted by sounds of unfamiliar machines. “H-hello” was all he could say. Understandably the first thing he asked the nurse when she arrived was “where is my mom?”59

Nancy entered the room weary from crying and lack of sleep. She had been sitting in the waiting room all night and early morning praying to any god who would listen. So when she saw her son she held him and didn’t let go until Jeremy said something.60

“Mom”, he paused, “what’s going to happen to me?”61

“I don’t know, honey.” she said through sobs. “I don’t know.”62

“I’m scared.”63

#64

After a few days in the hospital Jeremy realized he wasn’t leaving any time soon. The nurses were nice and the doctors were brief, but there was a lot of down-time. After he got over the shock of what had happened, Jeremy became bored. 65

When the doctor had insisted that Nancy went home and got some rest. She did so and returned with Jeremy’s book. His face lit up when he saw it. He had missed reading and now he had an escape from the boring hospital. 66

After all these months, Jeremy was almost done with the book. It would be an understatement to say that he was excited for the conclusion.67

During his days at the hospital, Nancy visited her son every day and stayed at length with him. She listened to him tell her all about his book and all about the things the nurses tell him. He always told her how excited he was to go to sixth grade. “Maybe then I’ll learn how to read even bigger books!” he would always say.68

#69

Jeremy was asleep. He was dreaming about growing up, falling in love, having a family of his own. He was dreaming about going places that only existed in books. He dreamed about his father. He dreamed about…wait. Who was that? “Hello Son.” The nurse reached in Jeremy’s hospital room. The flat line sounded like a creature from hell taunting her. 70

All morning and all day the doctors worked on Jeremy. Eventually a doctor said “I’m calling it” and wrote down the time and date.71

After seeing her son’s body, Nancy went back to his hospital room. She had seen this coming. In fact, she knew it was coming. She sat on his bed and contemplated her loss. The window was open. She saw the book her husband had given her and she had given to Jeremy. It was open. A gust of wind burst through the window and blew a page or two to the left over Jeremy’s bookmark. At the bottom of the page there were the words THE END. 72