Strike One

Chapter 28

As we pulled up to the hospital I started to feel a bit better. I still had a little trouble breathing but I was better. The doctor asked a few questions on how I felt and I answered them truthfully. They did this test thing where they put a cotton swab up my nose for a second in both nostrils. It was so weird. I was so tired from today so I fell asleep on my mom when we sat down to wait for whatever test results they were taking.

"Elizabeth? Wake up sweetie." I heard my mom say. I knew I should get up but I couldn't so I just groaned.

"Liz. Come on sweetheart. You can go back to sleep in the car. We are gonna go home." I heard my dad this time. My eyes could barely stay open and when I stood up from the chair I stumbled a bit so my dad had to hold my arm.

I fell asleep in the car but woke up right as we were pulling into the driveway. It was probably late judging how the sun went down, there was a long long wait at the hospital.

Once I stepped out of the car I heard the front door open and saw Eliot and Justin come running out towards me.

"Are you ok?" "Are you hurt?" "Are you sick?". Those were all the questions I heard before I almost fell from how tired I was so Justin picked me up and carried me into my room. He also got me a pair of pajamas to change into and turned around until I was done changing and helped me into bed. He then pulled the covers over me and sat at the edge of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked. I shrugged my shoulders and thought before I answered.

"Eh. I'm tired but I can breathe better now." I honestly answered.

"What's wrong? Do you know why you had trouble breathing?" He asked again. Concern laced in his voice.

"I don't know. I was asleep when the doctor told mom and dad and they haven't told me." I replied. The more I thought about it, I wanted to know what's wrong with me.  "Can you go ask what's wrong for me please J?" I asked while using his initial which was his nickname for us.

"Sure Lizzy." He got up and walked out of the room, and as he did, Eliot walked in.

"Hey." He said softly, sitting down where Justin just was.

"Hello." I said back, using the same tone.

"How are you holding up?" He questioned.

"Eh. I'll be fine." I said. I could tell he didn't believe me, heck, I didn't believe myself either, but he dropped the subject.

"Nathan was fighting us to stay so he could see how you were." He said chuckling a bit to lighten the mood. Which worked bc I had a small smile on my lips thinking about Nathan fight two guys both bigger than him.

"I bet that was tough." I said causing him to laugh.

"Sure was. He was so worried about you. We all were." He said as his smile faded. Just then Justin came back in with mom and dad.

"Hey Elizabeth." My mom said with a sad smile.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Apparently you have asthma." My dad said. Earning a smack on the arm from mom for being so blunt. He just gave her a look saying "what did I do?".

"The doctor said you've always had it but since you were so active it was like it was never there. But since you got sick-" she started but I didn't give her time to finish.

"Yes. I have cancer but whenever you say "since your sick" you make it sound like I'm dying! I AM NOT DYING!" I snapped at her. Earning shocked looks from my parents and brothers. "I just want to be treated like I'm a normal girl. You are always babying me. I'm fine. I can do all my chores I used to. Please. Treat me like I'm normal. Even if I do have cancer?" I practically begged.

"Sorry Liz." My mom said. Then she continued what she was saying before. "Since you got cancer and haven't been as active your asthma has gotten a bit worst than it was before. But you'll be fine. You always are." She finished.

"When can I play again?" I asked the question I've been wondering for a while.

"What?" My mom asked.

"When can I play softball again. It's my life. I need to play again." I replied. My mom and dad smiled so wide it scared me.

"Well, the doctor said that you can play whenever you think you're ready but you can't tire yourself out too much." My mom said.

"No way." I said. Hoping they weren't joking I sat up.

"MY DAUGHTER IS BACK TO PLAYING SOFTBALL!!" My dad shouted. I just sat there in shock while everyone started to cheer.

"You aren't joking right? 'Cause if you are I will cry." I asked.

"We aren't joking." My mom and dad said at the same time. Just then I screamed a high pitch scream out of joy causing them all to laugh at me. Soon enough I joined in on the laughing. Life is going to be ok now.