Charisma by Jeanne Ryan Page B

“It’s okay to say no. Not everyone is up to making monumental changes in their lives.”
    She’s actually offering it to me. Well, what better guinea pig than someone whose life is a monumental disaster? “When would I have to decide and get the paperwork in?”
    She shakes her head. “I’m afraid there isn’t the luxury of a long decision. Or paperwork. But if you’re serious about improving your life, I could help you today, as in
today
today.”
    My insides freeze. “Don’t you need to track things so you can publish your findings?”
    She reaches into Ruby’s cage to stroke her head. “Here I thought we were on the same page, damn the official channels. By the time you come back for the next family meeting, I’ll have moved on.”
    The walls around me seem to hum, or maybe that’s my veins throbbing. I rub at my temples. “Sorry. I’m just getting used to the idea. Doing things in secret could get you into a lot of trouble, couldn’t it?”
    â€œOnly if people found out. But I trust you, Aislyn. And I want to help you and others
now
. Just like I want to help Sammy get into the AV719 trial even though he’s had more infections and exhibits less lung capacity than the average eleven-year-old with CF. The business interests behind that trial want kids who have the best chance of improving, to yield the highest success rate.”
    The panic I felt a moment earlier over losing out on a miracle drug doubles when it comes to Sammy losing out. “That’s so unfair. They should help those who need it most.”
    She puts her hands on my shoulders, the first time she’s ever touched me beyond a handshake. I feel her fingernails through my sleeves. “I’m willing to support him, even if that means not adhering so strictly to black-and-white regulations. Are you with me, Aislyn?”
    Everything around me seems blurry, except her eyes, which shine like crystals. I say, “If I agree, how would I take it?”
    â€œAn injection, clean and simple. Probably only one dose, but no guarantees. We don’t know how quickly the viral vector that delivers the treatment will propagate and how much of your DNA will be affected. Of course, you would be in total control of whether you received any further doses.”
    Next to us, Ruby rocks on the floor and seems content in a way I’ve never felt. I contemplate. “Can I talk to my mom? She’d keep this quiet since her kids are more important than any regulations.”
    Dr. Sternfield drops her hands from my shoulders. “Wow, I thought with your IQ— Look, let’s forget the whole thing, okay?” Brushing her palms against each other as if they’re dirty, she starts toward the door.
    Wait. What? My body freezes. Sammy and I could both change our lives thanks to Nova Genetics, and Dr. Sternfield. Getting over my shyness would even help me advocate for him. How could I pass up this chance? Mom, of anyone, would understand.
    Gulping a deep breath that leaves me dizzy, I say, “No, listen. I totally get why you need to keep this secret, especially with those crazy protesters outside. I’m in. I’m in.”
    She eyes me for what seems like a full minute and then finally nods. “Okay, Aislyn, as long as you’re sure.”
    â€œAbsolutely.” Yes, it’s an experiment so secret I can’t even tell my mom. Yes, Dr. Sternfield’s passive-aggressive hard sell is annoying. But I sense we’re on the edge of something incredible.
    She pulls a clip out of her pocket and winds her hair up into a bun. “Since we still have your old blood sample, I’m already familiar with various antibodies that might’ve gotten in the way. You have a few odd ones, you know. Probably from your trip to Asia a few years ago. But no show stoppers, thank goodness.”
    Thank goodness is right. It’s scary that Evie’s