Cheryl locked her car and then joined Kimberley on the sidewalk. She linked their arms together before setting off towards the double doors of the hospital.
"So, I talked to Justin this morning and he's going to meet me in an hour. Is that alright?"
Kimberley nodded slightly, "I suppose."
"Are you ever going to tell us what happened between you two?" Cheryl asked carefully. She didn't want to make Kimberley angry by probing, especially during such a delicate time.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Cheryl moved her arm around the back of Kimberley and squeezed her side. "Alright babe but you know where I am if you need to talk."
Nothing else was said until they walked through the doors of the hospital. Cheryl released her grip on Kimberley before walking over to the reception desk. A lovely looking woman poked her head up from behind a computer and smiled brightly.
"Hello Ms. Cole."
Cheryl looked over her shoulder at Kimberley and motioned for her to join her at the desk.
"Hi, my friend has an appointment."
"Okay, what's your name?"
Cheryl walked over to the waiting area left Kimberley to talk to the receptionist. She grabbed a magazine as she sat down and looked at the front cover. Her name was in big bold text across the top. She rolled her eyes but opened up the magazine regardless.
"I didn't know you liked reading about yourself."
Cheryl looked up at Kimberley and chuckled. "Aye, I am reading about my apparent boob job. When did this happen?"
Kimberley laughed quietly but said nothing in response. Instead, she picked up her pen and started filling out the forms that the receptionist had given her. Today she had to have some tests to determine whether the chemotherapy was working or not. She was a bit apprehensive but it needed to be done.
As she scribbled down different details, Cheryl watched her with a small smile on her face. She was absolutely beautiful, even if she wasn't looking her best. She bit back a tiny giggle at the colourful hat that Kimberley had opted to wear this morning.
The circumstances were sad but the hat really was hideous.
They'd woken up that morning bright and early to get ready for Kimberley's appointment. She had a shower and prepared some breakfast, only to return to the bedroom to find Kimberley huffing in frustration. Apparently she'd tried to blow dry and style her hair, but it was too weak and kept falling out. It wasn't drastic but it meant that Kimberley didn't have "hair confidence". Cheryl sighed quietly and returned her gaze to the magazine she was reading. She'd always loved Kimberley's hair.
"I don't really want to see Justin."
Cheryl looked back up and frowned, "Oh? Why is that?"
Kimberley lifted the pen to her lips and chewed on the end as she thought about her answer. When she finally looked back at Cheryl, she lowered the pen to her lap and shrugged tiredly.
"I'm sick of the crying."
That wasn't the answer Cheryl had been expecting. However, she didn't say anything and gave Kimberley the opportunity to continue if she wished to. The seconds ticked by though and pretty soon an awkward silence had formed, Cheryl opened her mouth to say something but Kimberley cut her off.
"For my whole life, I've always been the strong one. When things happened at home, I was always there for my family. I was there for Justin when... when all that stuff happened last year, remember?" Cheryl nodded, "I was there for you when everything happened with Ashley even though... seeing you so upset pulled me apart inside."
Cheryl reached across and placed her hand on Kimberley's knee. "I'm sorry babe."
Kimberley lifted a hand and rubbed her eyes discreetly with her thumb. "I am sick of being the strong one. I wish somebody would just look after me for once."
"I have been looking after you babe..."
Kimberley looked at her sceptically, which Cheryl took slight offence to. "I know babe, I know you have. I have heard you crying plenty of times though... you always sound so broken and defeated."
Cheryl reluctantly pulled her hand back and started to play with the corners of the magazine. She could feel Kimberley's questioning stare upon her but she didn't seek it out.
Before anything else could be exchanged between them, the receptionist called out Kimberley's name and pointed down the corridor.
"Wish me luck," Kimberley said as she walked off.
Cheryl sighed sadly and whispered, "Good luck."
***
Kimberley turned on the bathroom light and stared hard at her reflection. She could hear Justin pottering around in the next bedroom and it made her feel uneasy. Seconds later, there was a sharp knock at the door.
"Is everything okay in there?"
"Yeah... yeah..." Kimberley turned on the faucet and dipped her hands underneath the cold water.
"I have everything ready."
She leant forward and splashed a handful of water against her face. She felt clammy, dizzy and there was a lump in her throat.
"I'm just coming."
She smiled at Justin as she walked back into the bedroom. He motioned to the spot on the floor between his legs, where he'd laid out a towel. She hesitated for a second but then walked over and sat down, her back to him.
"Are you ready?"
Kimberley closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, "Yeah. Just get it over and done with please."
Seconds later, Justin turned on the trimmers and started. Kimberley closed her eyes tighter and bit down on her bottom lip to stifle the inevitable sob.
***
Upon hearing the key in the lock, Cheryl stopped what she was doing and quickly ran down the stairs. Except when she got to the bottom, she wasn't greeted by Kimberley's smiling face.
"Wait a second Cheryl."
Cheryl stopped in her tracks and frowned. She leant against the banister and crossed her arms over her chest.
"What's up babe?"
The door opened a crack but Kimberley still didn't walk in. Worried now, Cheryl pushed away from the banister and walked closer to the door. She wrapped her fingers around the door handle and tried to open it, but Kimberley pulled it back.
"I have to show you something..."
Cheryl stepped back and stuffed her hands into her pockets.
A second later, the door opened and Kimberley stepped inside. Cheryl scrunched up her face in confusion as she tried to work out what Kimberley actually had to show her. She looked up and down the older woman's figure but nope, nothing.
"I don't understand..."
Kimberley reached up and reluctantly pulled the woolly hat that she'd been wearing at the doctors earlier, off her head. Justin had shaved all her hair off. Cheryl gasped audibly and her eyes widened somewhat. Her reaction caused Kimberley to bashfully look away, which Cheryl felt dreadful about.
She closed the distance between them and threw her arms around her friend's body.
"You're beautiful."
Kimberley buried her face in the crook of Cheryl's neck and broke down in tears.
