I Have To Protect Them - Cleofis Drisen

Chapter Six: Managing Chaos Part 2

When I got to the door, I knocked and Allie answered, "hey, Cleo." She smiled and I returned the smile. "Hey Allie, is Cassandra here? I have the medication for her" I said as she nodded and waved for me to come in. Greg followed behind me and we saw Cassandra sitting on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket. "Hey Cassandra, you're looking better than earlier" I greeted her with a smile. She smiled back and laughed which made me feel relief. "Yeah, thanks. Allie had my medication for me, so I took it right away. I'm feeling a bit better now" she said, making me nod and I found the three bottles of medication for her. I accidentally let my backpack unzip too much. You could clearly see the top of my oxygen tank and some of the tubing. "Whoa, what's that?" Allie asked confused, taking a seat beside her sister. Cassandra gave Allie a look. I sighed, while doing up my bag and glanced at Greg. He shrugged and revealed, "I think you have to tell them now. They already saw." I frowned at his response and Cassandra quickly replied, "no you don't have t-" I cut her off by saying, "it's okay. That was my oxygen tank. I have COPD." they both stared at me blankly. I chuckled and continued, "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease." "Wow" Allie whispered, clearly sorry that she asked, and Cassandra asked, "what does that mean?" I laughed nervously, while looking my hands. "Basically my lungs are giving up and I'm drowning in fluid. I probably would have lived if I was diagnosed properly." I faded into a whisper. "Oh my god. Does that mean you'r-" Allie began, but I interrupted her, "yeah, I technically only had year, but now I guess I have until I run out of medication or oxygen. That is if I don't uh." Greg stood up and angrily said, "no, you're not going to give up! Something at the hospital will work. We could try tha-" "Greg" I yelled, and I mouthed 'not now!' He huffed and sat back down. 

I slowly looked at Allie and Cassandra to see their sad expressions. I looked back at Greg again, rambling, "see, that is exactly why I don't want to tell anyone. Those looks right there." I picked up my backpack while standing up, making Cassandra stand too. She quickly pulled me into a hug. "I know exactly how you feel, we're going to find a way home. Everything is going to be fine" she whispered in my ear, then she slowly released me. I wanted to fully believe her, but a something deep in my gut was telling me otherwise. Allie had gotten up too and held her arms open. We quickly hugged and I laughed while saying between chuckles, "this is weird, but a nice weird. To have someone know exactly how I feel. Like Greg's been great and he understands, but to have someone that's sick like me is nice." I looked at Cassandra and we smiled at each other. "I know it is, isn't it" Cassandra said as we all shared a moment. It seemed that Allie and Greg were even sharing a moment, like they understood each other more. "Well, we should get going, gotta get those groceries home" I said, slowly making my way out of the room. I glanced over my shoulder to see all three of them following me. I stopped and turned around when I got to the door. "Oh by the way, can you guys keep this between us. No one knows and I'd like to keep it that way for now" I practically begged, receiving nods and Cassandra spoke for both of them, "absolutely. Thanks for bringing the medicine and for sharing with us." Allie nodded in agreement and offered, "and if there's anything you guys need, just let us know." WE exchanged smiles, then Greg and I left. We headed home. 

It was a quiet drive and halfway home I finally spoke with a sigh, "I'm sorry, okay. I just don't want to use resources that someone else might desperately need." A sarcastic chuckle erupted from him and he spoke through gritted teeth, "and you don't? Now that we don't have to worry about money, you should get to try that experimental treatment. Heck for all we know it could save you, but you won't even tr-" I cut him off by placing my hand on his arm and I softly stated, "I know and even though, I don't think it's right to just to take things, I do think you're right. It's worth a try. We'll look into it, okay?" He glanced at me and instantly relaxed. "Good" he huffed, like he was going to make me agree anyways, and I laughed, "by the way, it looked like you and Allie were having some meaningful eye contact" I teased, while he choked on air and I started laughing hysterically. "You know it wasn't like that. I'm not exactly interested in her like that" he grumbled, glaring at me as we pulled into the driveway. I put my hands up in defeat as I surrendered by confessing, "I know, I know. You're gay, but still if you were straight that would have been something." Greg laughed and proclaimed, "well you should know by the amount of them you share with Grizz." He got out of the car and shut the door with a smirk. I huffed and slammed my door. "Well that's not fair!" I exclaimed, and made my way to the trunk. We got all the groceries inside and put them away.