“But I wasn’t running. I was careful,” I say defensively.
“I’m sure you were as careful as you could be, but something went wrong. There was still plenty of OPX left in the tank when I checked, but your lungs seemed to have rejected it due to the physical activity. Perhaps you were a little too strenuous? Walking too much? Too fast? Either way, your lungs were working too hard, trying to absorb more oxygen than OPX. It wasn’t balancing out.”
I scratch my arm with uncertainty, pulling my gaze away. “I didn’t realize it could happen from that.”
“Shannon, you need to take this seriously,” John snaps, and I whip my head up to look at him. “This isn’t a game! See, this is exactly why I didn’t want to leave you alone or even bring you home. I knew you would take things too far.”
“Are you kidding?” Tessa’s voice rises, and from the anger expressed on her face, I can tell she’s taken full offense of John’s remark. “Don’t talk to her that way! We all agreed it would be best for her to come home—for her to take the OPX treatment with that thing.” She points at the jetpack at the bottom of the bed.
“Why was this Max person in my home anyway?” John demands.
“He was visiting me. He’s a friend, like I told you,” I state.
John scoffs. “Yeah, well this friend is about to get a mouthful from me. He had no right taking you out without my permission.”
“Wait a minute—I’m sorry,” I snap. “I could have sworn you were my husband, not my father. And last I checked, this is my body and my actions are mine, not yours.”
John stands tall, his shoulders squaring. He’s getting defensive. I don’t care.
I look at Dr. Barad who is clearly uncomfortable with the rising tension as he clings to his clipboard. “Perhaps I should allow you all some privacy.”
“No way.” Tessa waves a hand, dismissing herself. “I’m out of here. This is between them now.” She walks out of the bedroom in a flash.
“Would you two like a moment?” Dr. Barad asks.
“Please,” John says through gritted teeth.
I put my focus on him again and don’t dare look away from him. Yes, I may have overdone it by going to the park, getting a little air, but he has no right treating me like this or acting like I’m his property—especially in front of my sister and doctor. If anyone is to be held accountable for my actions, it’s me. Not him. Not Tessa. Not even Max. Me.
Dr. Barad is gone in a matter of seconds, clicking the door shut behind him, and when he is, John paces back and forth in front of the bed. “This Max guy,” he seethes. “Who in the hell is he?” He stops pacing, boring his eyes into mine.
“He’s a friend, Jonathan.”
“What kind of friend? A best friend? A guy friend? What? I know all your friends and you’ve never told me about him.”
I look away, folding my arms tightly across my chest. “He’s just a friend.” There’s no way I’m telling him he’s also my ex. Not while he’s so angry.
“So you went to the park with your friend? What made you do that, Shannon, huh? What made you want to risk your life today—and at a park of all places? You weren’t ready for that kind of activity yet and you know it! You have to give your body time to adjust to the device and to moving again! The doctor told you that!”
“I know that! I heard what the doctor said, John!”
“Then why are you being reckless right now? Why are you going out with friends knowing you’re not in a good condition to go?”
“Because Max is in town for me, John! He knows I’m sick and he wanted to catch up! What am I supposed to do? Ignore him?”
“Uh, yeah!” he says as if I’m an idiot. “Your health is more important than a trip to the park. If he wanted to catch up so badly, he should have stayed here with you in the house, not whisk you away.”
I let out a frustrated laugh. “This is insane. It was just a short walk in the park, John. I’ve been cooped up for months and it sounded nice to go there. I didn’t think it would be so bad!”
John starts to say something else, but then there’s a knock on the door. We stare at each other briefly, then he goes for the door, snatching it open.
“Hey—sorry to interrupt,” Max says. What the hell? What is he still doing here? “Just want to see if Shannon is okay.” Max’s voice is firm as he looks over John at me. He clearly heard us arguing.
“She’s fine,” he snaps at him, standing guard in front of the door. “Who let you in?”