From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

What? Sherman told him to eat them right there, huh?

Like, it was for real?

Daniel freaked out.

Then, the private room door swung open, and a server came in with a can of herring.

Even from ten feet away, you could catch a whiff of that odd, metallic stench.

“Let’s get started,” Sherman said, his fingers tracing the outline of the cross slowly, his voice barely a whisper.

"Sherman..." Daniel stuttered, anxiety making his words trip over each other. "You, you, you’re a vegetarian, right? From, from now on, I’ll, um, I’ll join you. We can do meatless Mondays or every day!"

Sherman gave him a look. “A man’s only as good as his word.”

Daniel shuffled to the table with leaden feet. “Sherman...”

“Eat.”

That single word sapped Daniel of any will to resist. He numbly picked up a canned herring, shut his eyes, steeled his heart, and stuffed it into his mouth.

The taste was wickedly intense!

But Daniel forced it down. No sooner had he swallowed than his stomach started a riot. He bolted to the restroom, wishing he could vomit up his very soul.

Sherman stood up, frowning slightly. “The rest... we’ll livestream it.”

With that, he turned and left the room.

Daniel was baffled. What the hell?

Shouldn't Sherman have said he didn't have to eat the rest? Had he heard wrong?

After all, Sherman was a paragon of kindness, devoted to peace and love. How could he possibly stand to watch him suffer?

He must have misunderstood.

With that thought, Daniel calmed down, washed his face, and left the casino.

As he stepped through the casino's gate, the manager huffed out after him. “Mr. Robinson, wait up!”

“What’s up?”

The manager handed Daniel a bag. “Mr. Robinson, this is the canned herring Mr. Christensen told me to pack for you. He insists that you livestream it for him when you get home.” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Daniel was speechless, wondering what fresh hell it was.

**

It was the day when Anthea was due to make a house call for Paulina’s husband's follow-up checkup.

After a week of medication, Tammie seemed no better, showing no significant improvement.

Only Anthea knew that the parasites within him had reduced by more than half.

“Have you been taking the meds on schedule?” Anthea inquired.

Paulina nodded. “Just as you instructed, Ms. Yeager. He’s been taking them on time every day.”

“That’s good,” Anthea said, checking Tammie’s eyelids. “Now it’s time to start medicinal baths. I’ll write you a prescription. Bathe him twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night.”

“When do you think my husband will be back on his feet?” Paulina asked eagerly.

Anthea replied, “After a month of these baths, he should regain consciousness and be able to walk.”

“Really?” Paulina's face lit up.

Anthea nodded, scribbling a prescription and handing it to Paulina.

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached from outside.

“Paulina! Paulina!” It was Paulina's mother-in-law, Wilma Lewis.

“Wilma,” Paulina greeted as she stepped out. “Luna, you’re here, too.”

Trailing behind Wilma, Luna Lewis offered a polite greeting.

Paulina nodded in acknowledgment.

Wilma grabbed Paulina's hands excitedly. “Paulina, has that miracle doctor arrived?”

Paulina replied, “Yes, she’s inside.”

“Take me to her, quickly.”

“Of course, come with me.”

Paulina led Wilma and Luna into the bedroom, where Anthea was taking Tammie’s pulse.

“This is Ms. Yeager,” Paulina introduced her.

“What?” Wilma was surprised.

She’d known the miracle doctor was a woman but never imagined she’d be so young.