Cerulean Found

Chapter 99 - The Ultimate High

The sun is setting by the time we finally make it back to Jalukka. Josh docks the boat in Kingsmet and we walk the short distance to the small hospital. Cameron and Gram are sitting in the lobby when we enter.

They are seated in the far corner, near the hallway. I can tell by the look on their faces that things aren't good. They appear tired. So tired. Their eyes are red. Have they been crying? Gram's hair is pulled back into a low bun and her face is free of any makeup. I don't remember the last time I have ever seen Gram look like this. She's usually always all dolled up.

"What's going on?" I ask. "How is she?"

"Not good, sweetie," Gram answers.

"What happened?" I ask.

"She collapsed this afternoon and couldn't get up," Cam explains.

"We called the paramedics because she had a fever and was burning up. They rushed her here," Gram adds.

"But why? What's wrong?" I demand.

"The cancer, Mila. I told you it came back and it's more aggressive," my brother explains. I stare at him in disbelief. I hear what he's saying, but I don't believe any of it. "She's dying," he blurts out, as tears stream down his face.

Gram wraps her arms around Cam and lifts a handkerchief up to dry her own eyes. I know that they are all hurting. They think that she is truly sick and that there's no way that she can get better. They don't know what I know.

"Where is everyone?" I ask.

"Your dad and Justin are with your mom. We've been taking turns visiting with her. Someone is always with her, so she's never alone," Gram says.

"Can I see her?" I ask. I smile slightly as I think about the water in Josh's backpack.

"Of course you can," Gram answers.

"I don't get you," Cam spits out as he pulls away from Gram's embrace. "Our mom is dying and you don't even shutter. It's like we just told you that we're having meatloaf for dinner. You don't care. You even seem happy."

His words sting. How can he think I don't care about mom? Everything that I have done was for her. To save her and make sure she lives. I did it for all of us.

"Hey, Cam, that's not cool. You know she does care," Josh interjects.

"You're wrong Cameron. You're all wrong," I state matter of factly.

"About what?" he asks.

"I do care. I care so much. I risked my life and Josh's," I cry..

"What do you mean you risked your life?" he asks.

"It doesn't matter," I state, wiping the tears away. "But you should know something."

"And what's that?"

"She's not going to die. She's going to live," I say proudly.

"You're so delusional, Camila. It's a fact. She's sick. Her body has refused treatment. It is shutting down. The sooner you realize that, the easier it will be for you," Cam shouts.

"Okay I think that's enough. It's obvious you both grieve differently," Gram interjects, trying to cease the tension.

"I'm not grieving," I shout.

"You should be," Cam replies.

"What room is she in?" Josh asks, trying to diffuse the situation. "I think it'd be best if Mila went and saw her now."

"She's in 214," Gram answers. "The elevator is just past the nurses desk, on the left."

"Thank you," Josh says to Gram, as he hands me his pack. "Here take this"