When I think about it, I think that is when everything changed for Ately in a major way. Of course as my grandmother once told me change ain't always easy to come by. My first impressions of Dr. Neevis were he was strange….Yep...that was one way to put it. He was super tall and very quiet. He would only speak when he needed to and said very few words.

I think that first day Mrs. Kessle did all the talking. She poured over herself crying about how hard everything was for her. She told Dr. Neevis all about Atley I heard a few things but they mostly talked down stairs. After a while he gave her something and she got quiet and went to sleep.

We didn't see much of Mrs. Kessle over the next few days. Once she was down Dr. Neevis introduced himself to us. He wanted to know who I was and I finally learned how I came to be called to the Kessle estate. I always thought it was cause I screamed and woke Atley up but he said he'd heard me a few times and didn't know what I was only it made him feel nice so he wanted to hear me more. So as it turned out Andrew hadn't done me in after all.

Dr. Neevis was very quiet, those first few days he mostly sat in the corner of the room and watched us. He seemed surprised that Atley was capable of so little. The first time Atley got hungry and his mother wasn't there he kept calling her. When he finally told us he was hungry Dr. Neevis had Madeline make some food. I told Dr. Neevis Atley couldn't eat on his own.

Unlike Mrs. Kessle Dr. Neevis insisted Atley try and do it himself. Of course he made a mess a huge mess. The food went more on him then it did in him. I tried to help but Dr. Neevis told me to stop and just let Atley do it. After a while Atley started to cry and throw a fit. I told Dr. Neevis he needed his special medicine. I even knew where it was. I ran and got it and told Dr. Neevis that it was suppose to go on a rag and then over Atley's mouth.

Dr. Neevis read the bottle and wanted to know how often this was done. I told him whenever Atley was too upset or got too excited. Dr. Neevis didn't look happy. He refused to use the medicine in fact he threw it away. Atley wanted me to hold him but Dr. Neevis said I couldn't, in fact Dr. Neevis said I could go home. I was excited I missed my parents and even Stew and Patty Jane and Baby Ben.

When Atley learned I was leaving thought he got soo mad he started throwing things and moving about on the bed. He nearly fell off the bed. I worried he was gonna hurt himself. Dr. Neevis grabbed hold of him and held him down. Atley fought him as hard as he could but Dr. Neevis was too strong for him. Atley fought and fought until he finally tired himself out.

I got my things together and Dr. Neevis saw me out. I admit I was a little worried. I asked if I should come back tomorrow but Dr. Neevis said I wasn't to come back until he called me. I asked if we'd have to return the money and told him Mrs. Kessle payed for me to come each day. He also seemed upset by this but told me I could keep the money.

When I got home things in the house were different. We had new just about everything I was surprised. My parents wanted to know why I was home I told them all about the new doctor and they seemed worried. My Father went over the next day but came back saying the doctor needed Atley to focus so he could work with him. He wanted to help Atley. I thought that was nice and didn't think much of it.

I went over to Chucks and finally showed him my truck. I was right he was jealous. I let him play with it though. We also got to play together every day again of course things were strange whenever you walked by the Kessle Estate. Day and night you could hear screaming for nearly a whole week it went on. I worried but I didn't know what I could do.

Summer ended a few days later and school began after that. I was super busy learning all the maths and english and everything. I also had to help with Baby Jane she was learning to talk and was running around. Baby Ben was also crawling and Stew needed help with his homework. I helped a lot and Chuck and I would play a lot. Before I knew it a lot of time had passed and it had been months since I'd seen Atley.

At first my parents were worried but eventually we didn't talk about it. One weekend we went to the field and the Kessle Estate was quiet not only that but someone had cut all the trees and bushes and the house had been cleaned up. The window had been washed and everything. Everyone wanted to know what had happened. I told them the mummy got a new doctor. I guess it was a good thing.

Just as winter was coming I came home from school one day to finds Dr. Neevis in my house. He was talking with my mother. When I came in he sat me down. He explained he'd been working with Atley and that he had been doing really well, so well that he had earned a reward and his reward was he would get to see me.

He made arrangements for me to come over for one hour after school but he made it clear that I had to do whatever he told me and that if he said I had to leave then I had to leave. I told him I understood the next day he picked me up from school and walked me to the Kessle Estate. It was a slow walk with his limp but I didn't mind I liked all the falling leaves.

When I got to the Kessle Estate it was like another house all together. It was clean inside and bright. I realized all of the windows had been so dirty that was the reason it was dark. All of the sheets were off the furniture. I saw Mrs. Kessle in the living room. She was drinking tea she looked healthy for once and even smiled when she saw me.

I waved to her and then went up stairs. Dr. Neevis had me sit outside the door. I could hear inside the room and Atley asked if I was there he was so excited. His voice sounded stronger. Dr. Neevis told him I was here but would only visit if he behaved. Atley swore up and down he would and then the door opened.

I think out of all the rooms, this one had changed the most. I found out there was more then one window and everything had been cleaned. The curtains were drawn back from the bed and Atley was sitting up. He looked different. He didn't look as sickly and his hair was short. He was also dressed in real clothes. I only ever saw him in a night shirt. He was also over the blankets, instead of under them. He had pants on and shoes, his feet looked weird out in front of him. He also had small little round black sunglasses.

I wasn't sure what to think at first it seemed like a lot and I mean a lot had changed. Still I SAID "Hello Atley"

"Amina," he beamed.

He reached out for me instinctively grasping at the air. I realized then that I had missed him some. I rushed up to take his outstretched hands and but Dr. Neevis placed a hand on my shoulder and held me back. He cleared his throat and said, "Manners, Atley"

"Ohh, right," said Atley. He dropped his hands down.

"Amina I am so happy you came….wont you join me," He moved his hands to the side of the bed where there was a chair. Dr. Neevis cleared his throat and Atley said, "Please,"

He sounded so weird. It was like it was Atley but someone else was talking through him. I went over to the chair and sat down. Atley listened and then asked, "May I hold your hand, please"

"Yes," I said giggling. I gave it to him and he held it so tightly, almost too tightly.

"Thank you," he said as Dr. Neevis took a seat on the other side of the bed.

"Why are you talking so funny?" I asked.

"That is not a nice question to ask Miss Lark," said Dr. Neevis before Atley could respond.

"Atley and I have been working hard to make him a proper young gentleman, please be a respectful young lady."

"Oh," I said realizing Dr. Neevis must have taught him to speak like this, "Sorry."

"It's alright, isn't it." said Atley he turned in Dr. Neevis direction.

"Is it?" asked Dr. Neevis.

"I think so," said Atley thought he seemed uncertain. "May I talk to Amina, freely"

"You may," said Dr. Neevis. He crossed his legs and brushed off some dirt on his pants.

"Where have you been?" he asked excitedly.

"School," I said.

"What is school?" asked Atley not to me but Dr. Neevis.

"School is a place where children go to learn,"

"I want to go to school," said Atley, "I want to go to school with Amina,"

"No," said Dr. Neevis. "You already go to school. I teach you lesson in the mornings,"

"Oh," said Atley, "Yes I'm learning a lot Amina, a lot,"

"Like what?" I asked curiously.

"Uh...I know how to brush my own hair," said Atley.

"Really," I said I didn't think that was like school.

Atley moved then leaning about the bed, he grasped hold of something on the wall behind him. I realized then the wall behind him was covered in items. Atley pulled a comb off a hook and brought it to his head. He didn't quiet hold it right but he combed his hair, "See I do that every day now...sometimes twice."

"Wow," I said.

"Yes," he said. "And I do loads of other stuff like eat, myself and brush my teeth and I do exercises. Ever that is Dr. Neevis he taught me how to get dressed too and he reads to me the dictionary every day and I have a special thing for counting I know...I know how to count to five…"He showed me five fingers and began to count them, "One two...three...Five,"

"You forgot four," said Dr. Neevis he leaned in and moved his hand over Atley's. "One...two...three...four...five, now try again,"

Atley seemed so focused on Dr. Neevis every word, he quickly nodded and started counting again. "One, two...three...four...five...I did it"

"Cool," I said. I knew that ages of ago but I didn't tell him that.

"I know words like did you know that a duck is also a bird."

"Yes," I said.

"Can I have my duck," asked Atley.

"Can you?" asked Dr. Neevis.

"May I," said Atley.

"Yes," he said he got up and took an item off the shelf. It was a wooden duck.

"Dr. Neevis made it for me..." He ran his hand over it. "Ducks don't feel like this but they have a beak he touched the beak and wings he touched the wings and feet,"

"Very cool," I said.

"I...I can also read," he said.

"Really?" I said surprised. "How you can't see,"

"I use my hands,"

"May I have my book," asked Atley turning to Dr. Neevis.

"You still have your duck," said Dr. Neevis.

"Right, will you please put my duck back," said Atley.

Dr. Neevis took the duck back and then put it on it's shelf.

"Now may I have my book," asked Atley excitedly.

"Yes," said Dr. Neevis. "He pulled out a small paper book and a tray. Dr. Neevis set the tray up in front of Atley and then put down the book. It looked at it but there weren't any words on the pages. I raised an eyebrow thinking it must be a lie but Ately quickly put his hand on the pages and ran his fingers over little things that looked like dents, "It...its says….A….I have an A in my name did you know that,"

"Yes," I said, "So do I,"

"You do..."

"Yes...A Amina,"

He got really excited, "A for Atley...A for Amina."

I looked over the paper he was touching again, "How do you know it says A".

"With my fingers...Dr. Neevis says just cause I don't have my eyes doesn't mean I don't have other senses. I can hear really well and touch and smell. One day Dr. Neevis says I will be able to even get out of bed. We do exercises, he moves my feet, my arms and my hands. It hurts sometimes and I get really sleepy but he says one day I will be able to move them on my own,"

"I move mine on my own," I said.

"You do, wow," he said

"You sure know a lot," I said.

"I do, I do," said Ately.

"Try no to repeat yourself," said Dr. Neevis once is enough.

"Okay," said Atley.

He continued to run his hand over the book this is B….and then come C," he said,"

"Wow,"

"Yes," said Atley, "Letters make sounds and one day when I know all my letters I'll be able to make sounds and read books on my own...maybe I can read to you."

"Maybe," I said

Atley went on and on. It was so weird to have him talk more then me for once. I knew most of the things he was saying already but the way his face would light up when he talked was nice. After a while he asked, "Do you want to play trucks, I got really good at it."

"I bet," I said.

"There isn't time," said Dr. Neevis. "Amina will be leaving soon."

Atley got really sad then his voice whimpered, "Already, no,"

"Yes, one hour,"

"But it can't be an hour she just got here, I want to play trucks,"

"Tomorrow," said Dr. Neevis.

"Its okay," I said, "I don't even have my truck today."

"Where is it? At home?" asked Atley.

"No I left it at Chuckies house"

Atley tilted his head, "Who is Chuckie,"

"Oh he is my friend. We like to play trucks too,"
"NO," Atley screamed his voice got really high pitched, he got really upset, "ONLY YOU AND I PLAY TRUCKS! DON'T PLAY WITH ANYONE ELSE!"

"But he's my friend." I said

"I...I AM YOUR FRIEND." shouted Atley.

"Your voice is to loud, Atley, settle down," said Dr. Neevis.

"NO! NO! NO! ONLY ME AND AMINA ONLY WE PLAY TRUCK!"

"Atley," said Dr. Neevis getting up from his chair, "Clam down right now,"

"It's okay, Atley," I said also getting up I didn't want him to get in trouble.

"NO...NO," Said Atley he wouldn't listen moving his head around, "I GAVE IT TO YOU! YOU ONLY PLAY WITH ME,"

"No," I said. "I gave you my truck and you gave me yours remember."

"NO! NO! THE TRUCKS ARE MINE...YOU ARE MINE!" said Atley he threw his book and it fell off the bed.

"YOU ARE DONE," said Dr. Neevis, sternly even I was scared. He picked the book up off the floor and said to me "You can go, Amina"

I moved to the door and Atley lost it then. He flipped his tray and started pushing it away."NO! NO! SHE STAYS I WAS GOOD. I WAS GOOD I DID WHAT YOU SAID. YOU SAID I COULD HAVE AMINA IF IT WAS GOOD!" he started shaking and crying.

"You are being bad," said Dr. Neevis. He took the tray away.

"I WANT AMINA TO STAY," he screamed his voice cracking at how loud he was screaming.

"NO," said Dr. Neevis. "Her time is up and you misbehaved. She wont come back for a LONG time now,"

Atley began to throw himself on the bed. He flung his arms about in one of his fit. I thought Dr. Neevis would hold him down or get the special medicine but he just cross his arms watching Atley "Go ahead throw your fit...it wont get you what you want,"

"NO! NO! NO! NO!," said Atley. "I DID EVERYTHING YOU MADE ME DO! YOU SAID I COULD HAVE MY AMINA"

Dr. Nevis stayed calm, when he noticed I was still there he said, "Please leave Miss Lark,"

Atley paused in the middle of his tantrum realizing I was still in the room. He sat up and moved his hands about, "AMINA...AMINA COME TO ME...STAY WITH ME AMINA!"

"Go," said Dr. Neevis.

"NOOO! NOOO! NOOO!" Screamed Atley snot was coming out his nose as he began throwing himself on the bed again.

Mrs. Kessle rushed into the room, "DON'T LET HIM DO THAT! HE'LL HURT HIMSELF,"

She rushed to Atley but Dr. Neevis blocked her. He wouldn't let her go to him.

Atley's voice changed even more crying out "MOMMY! MOMMY! MAKE HIM STOP! MAKE HIM STOP! MAKE AMINA STAY!"

"I want the both of you out, NOW."said Dr. Neevis.

I rushed into the hallway. I was so scared. Atley was upset but Dr. Neevis was scary. I didn't know what else to do. Mrs. Kessle was still in the room. I could still hear them all shouting.

"HE IS MY SON! I WONT LET YOU HURT HIM! HE'S SICK! HE'S SICK! HE NEEDS ME!"

"WE DISCUSSED THIS MRS. KESSLE! DO YOU WANT HIM TO GET BETTER! ATLEY MAY BE BLIND BUT IT IS YOU WHO LEAVES HIM IN THE DARK! NOW GET OUT! GET OUT NOW!"

I looked back and watched Dr. Neevis push Mrs. Kessle out of the room. He slammed the door in her face and she banged on it as Atley cried and cried and cried at the top of his lungs. I moved down the stairs and then out of the house… I looked back once I was at the gate. I could still hear him. I felt strange leaving him like this.

He looked like he was doing so well I didn't mean to upset him. I felt like it was my fault. I wanted him to keep doing well. The whole way home I wondered what I could have done to not make him so mad. I went to Chuckie house and got my truck back. He wanted to still play with it but I told him we couldn't. I put it back together and set it by the door. I planed to take it the next time I saw Atley but...I wasn't allowed to see Atley again until I was thirteen.