Chapter 10 Treating the Siouxs

• After Julius departed, Bernice shifted her focus back to Huxley, her expression curious. "Did you trick Julius?" she inquired.
• Huxley, naturally, wouldn't admit it. He shook his head firmly, refuting, "No, he mistakenly consumed a poisonous herb. Administering a laxative can aid in purging the toxins from his system."
• A brief pause ensued before Bernice posed another question, her tone measured, "How did you know he ingested a poisonous herb?"
• Huxley opted for transparency, revealing honestly, "I acquired holistic medicine knowledge from an individual during my time in prison. I became proficient in observing, smelling, investigating, and pulse diagnosis. I carefully assessed him moments ago and discerned the cause."
• "Really?" Bernice, Leon, and Audrey exchanged pleasantly surprised glances. Concern had lingered among them regarding Huxley's prospects of finding employment post-prison. If his medical prowess was genuine, the notion of establishing a clinic seemed promising enough to sustain the family.
• "Yeah!" Huxley affirmed with a nod, his confidence palpable. "Dad, I should be able to alleviate your pain! And I believe I can address Drey's scars, too! I've already procured the necessary medication and prepared it for you. Why not give it a try?"
• The Sioux family exchanged uncertain glances. While they had faith in Huxley's medical abilities, they harbored doubts about his claims to be able to mend severed limbs and erase facial scars.
• In holistic medicine, mastery often required substantial experience from an early age to be a qualified practitioner. How many years has Huxley dedicated to his studies? Can he genuinely mend broken limbs and erase scars after learning for just a few years? It was a claim that begged skepticism.
• After a brief silence, Leon interjected with a stern expression, "Lee, from a young age, I've emphasized the importance of honesty and humility. Don't boast about accomplishments beyond your reach!"
• Bernice chimed in swiftly, echoing Leon's sentiment, "Absolutely! Lee, while you may deceive us, never deceive others outside these walls!"
• Audrey, too, voiced her concern, "Lee, while I may not grasp the intricacies of holistic medicine, I do know that seasoned practitioners are typically older individuals. You're still young, so how extensive can your medical expertise truly be?"
• "I've done some research, and it seems the scars on my face can only be removed through plastic surgery. No medication can eliminate them. As for Dad's legs, they've been broken for nearly five years, resulting in muscle atrophy and nerve damage. Even if Hippocrates himself were here, he might struggle to help."
• Huxley shrugged helplessly, conceding, "Okay, I'll be honest with you. These remedies were imparted to me by a revered healer who taught me the ways of medicine. I believe they can cure you!"
• "Huxley!" Bernice glared at Huxley with annoyance as she exclaimed, "Son, you could've disclosed this earlier! Must you take all the credit? Moreover, will the remedies from this revered healer prove effective?"
• "On the other hand, considering these remedies are from the revered healer, it's worth giving them a shot," Bernice conceded. "After all, your father and Drey are already in dire straits. Even if the remedies don't yield results, they shouldn't worsen their conditions any further, right?"
• Leon and Audrey voiced no objections, opting to proceed. Huxley produced the prepared concoction and ointment. Bernice carefully applied the concoction to Audrey's face. At the same time, Huxley attended to Leon's legs, using the ointment with a gentle massage.
• "My... my legs... I can feel them!" Leon's voice carried a note of disbelief after ten minutes.
• "What?" Bernice and Audrey felt excited yet incredulous. Not much time had passed. Could it genuinely have worked so swiftly?
• "My… legs! I think I can move them!" Leon exclaimed, attempting to move his legs, tears rolling down his cheeks in his excitement, his entire frame quivering with emotion. For half a decade, the desire to stand again had consumed him, yet under Ian's menacing shadow, hope seemed distant. Now, with movement returning to his legs, fear gripped him—could this be nothing but a fleeting dream?
• "Leon, are… are you certain you're not hallucinating?" Bernice and Audrey, eyes glistening with tears, their figures trembling with anticipation, shared his apprehension. "Dad, why don't you try… try moving again?"
• "Honey, Drey, I swear, I… I can move my legs! Am... am I healed?" Leon made another attempt to move his legs as tears continued to flow. "Sweetheart, could you pinch my leg, just to be sure this isn't a dream?"
• Bernice needed confirmation, too. Without a second thought, she approached, crouched down, and firmly pinched a spot on Leon's calf.
• "Ouch... Ah, it hurts! Let go!" Leon's tears flowed freely as he sobbed openly. "Wow..."
• Bernice and Audrey wept tears of elation, enveloping Leon in a warm embrace from both sides. For the past five years, their family had dwelled in darkness, unable to glimpse any light. They never expected to suddenly be filled with such joy. Their once indomitable pillar of the family was on the verge of standing tall once more.
• "Your face should be improving too, Drey!" Huxley chimed in at that moment.
• Audrey's tears ceased instantly at his words, and she turned to Huxley in disbelief. "Lee, is… is my face truly healed?"
• Huxley's smile widened. "Why don't you wash your face and find out?"
• Without a moment's hesitation, Audrey dashed into the bathroom. In that instant, Leon and Bernice also stopped crying, their gazes fixed eagerly on the bathroom door. Audrey, once a radiant beauty in her youth, destined for a bright future, had been dragged down by Huxley and disfigured by Ian. She was relentlessly tormented and endured a bleak existence devoid of hope for nearly five years.
• "Dad, Mom, Lee, my... my face is really healed!" It wasn't long before Audrey burst out of the bathroom, brimming with excitement. "Lee, I'm healed!" Rushing to Huxley, she enveloped him in a tight embrace. "Lee, thank you! I love you so much!" Tears streamed down Audrey's cheeks as she spoke, unable to hold back. "Boohoo..."
• Leon and Bernice were rendered speechless by their overwhelming emotions. Not long ago, they had harbored the belief that Huxley's return would only drag them down further, but who could have predicted the immense surprise he would bring?
• At that moment, a wave of relief washed over them all, grateful that Huxley hadn't left for good due to Bernice's earlier behavior. Otherwise, their family might have remained ensnared in darkness indefinitely.
• "Drey, let go of your brother! You two are siblings. Why are you hugging him for so long?" After a while, Audrey still clung tightly to Huxley, prompting Bernice to berate her.
• Upon hearing this, Audrey quickly released Huxley, took a few steps back, wiped her tears, and turned to face Bernice. "Mom, I was just too overwhelmed!"
• Bernice had naturally noticed Audrey's excitement. She merely hoped to maintain an appropriate distance between Audrey and Huxley to avoid anything from going out of hand.
• "Honey, your thinking is a bit old-fashioned!" Leon interjected disapprovingly. "They're siblings. A little physical contact is fine. Let's not make a mountain out of..."
• "Leon, just because your legs are healed, do you think you can speak without thinking?" Bernice glared angrily at Leon. Leon shrank back, choosing not to respond. At that moment, it was abundantly clear how henpecked he was by his wife.
• "Lee, don't misunderstand. I didn't mean..." Bernice began, but Huxley interrupted her with a smile. "Mom, no need to explain, I get it," he said reassuringly.
• "Thank goodness you understand!" Bernice sighed with relief, swiftly changing the subject. "Lee, where does that miraculous doctor live? We must visit him tomorrow and express our gratitude!"
• Huxley was about to respond when Thomas's booming voice echoed from outside the house. "Hello! I'm Thomas Royston, the director of Rivervale's Harmony Hospital, here to pay my respects to Mr. Sioux!"