Traveling to the children's hospital was a real physical and emotional stretch to Vincent's parents. The drive is considerably long from where they live, but the emotional pain they go through each time is next to nothing.
Since Vincent was diagnosed with a brain tumor, they regularly visited, especially when undergoing aggressive chemo and radiation therapies.
Earlier, Anna picked up Dr. Spallas, who told her that the MRI result was out.
"Ahm, I don't know how to say this lightly, but ahm, Anna, it doesn't look good. I need you guys to come here to discuss our next course of action", the doctor said.
Anna wanted a piece of good news. She was desperately hoping to hear the doctor say everything was ok that the stupid brain tumor was annihilated. Pffft kaput! But, the information was the opposite.
"Of course. We'll be there", the minute she hung up, Anna rushed to find Mark.
Mark drove. They have a driver, but they consider these trips very personal. Anna and Mark wanted to be "hands-on" --as to how they put it. They always use Vincent's favorite white Chevy SUV.
On the way to the hospital, Vincent commented on his parents' head for the first time. Anna and Mark had shaved their heads when Vincent began losing hair during his chemo and radiation therapies.
"I still can't believe you shaved your heads for me or to look like me. Don't you think that's kinda crazy?", Vincent said grinning.
"Bud, we'd do anything for you. Heck, we'd climb the Everest if need be", Mark proclaimed.
"Climb the Everest, are you kidding us? With your case of arthritis? I don't think so!" Anna jested.
"Come here, you pretty thing. Isn't your mom pretty, bud?" Mark kissed Anna on the cheek.
"Ewww. But, yeah, mom's pretty decent", Vincent quipped. He laughed with them. Vincent suddenly became quiet and looked out the window. "I wonder how my real mother looked like," he said almost to himself.
That was like a knife stabbed into Anna's heart. Was there a hint of jealousy? Absolutely. But it was more of fear. Fear of losing Vincent to cancer? Or to his birth parents? Whatever reason, she just hated the fear of losing her son.
A week before the MRI test, Vincent had a terrible pain attack. He vomited like crazy and kept banging his head on the wall. Mark had to restrain and sedate him. Anna has turned catatonic, too traumatized to do anything.
When the sedatives took effect, Mark laid Vincent to his bed. Anna got very upset. Her whole body shook and was consumed by emotion.
"Honey, let's go outside," Mark told Anna.
"No, I want to stay here with my baby," Anna was adamant. " I don't want to go anywhere but here, with my baby!"
"Anna, please," Mark had to drag Anna out of Vincent's room gently.
When the couple got out, Anna was beyond consolation. She yelled at Mark, "I can't! I won't! This isn't happening, Mark. Tell me this whole thing is just a dream, a nightmare. I can't lose another child for crying out loud!"
"Honey, calm down. Let's discuss this in our room", Mark said gently.
"Discuss what? Discuss what!? Another adoption? The only option we have is because I can't have a baby. No, Mark, no. The only baby I want is inside that room. Don't you understand? He is going to be my last. I don't want options, and I don't want any other child", Anna said between sobs.
"I'm sorry, I really am. But this is time we need to be strong for our son" Mark embraced his wife, she struggled, but he didn't let go. She finally calmed down. As when they were about to leave, Vincent's door opened.
"Mom, Dad, I want to meet my real parents," the boy pleaded.
