The Wolves Of The Woods

First Sighting

    “Atticus, I’m sorry to have to tell you this but everything we have tried is not stopping the progress of the disease. In fact it doesn't seem to be even slowing it down either.”

    My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. Slowly my heterochromatic eyes become even more cloudy with tears and I slum lolp down further into my chair, the same chair that I sat in when I got my initial diagnosis. In fact everything was the same. My mother, hands folded and face sone cold to my left and my father warm and comforting, holding my hand to my right

   "As you know we can't really do much else for you Atticus and the only other option would be a liver transplant, and that unfortunately isn't a guaranteed fix , if you even want to consider one. You guys will be notified of the decision your insurance makes on covering the operation and I'll notify you if a donor is available.

   Dr. Jett Matthews slides a folder across the desk to my father, who flips it open and I can see him hold back a wince at the numbers on the page.

   "That will be the cost of the operation should your insurance deny you coverage. I wish there were more options for you guys John, I’m so sorry Attie. If you have any question or even if you would just like to talk, you know my phone is always on” Dr. Jett, really Uncle Jett as he is dad's best friend, stands and makes his way to the door of the consultation room. He stops to catch me in a tight hug and to pat dad's back. “You guys can stay here as long as you want to process and talk everything over. You were my last patient of the day, butIdo have some paperwork to finish up so yell if you need me.” 

   The door closes behind him and my dad reaches out to hug me, sensing that I need affection. Tears are rushing down my face causing my slightly blurry vision to blur some more. I had known this was going to be the conversation when he called to schedule the appointment all the way in Redbourn Texas , although dad had been hopeful that it would be good news, I knew nothing had been helping my body feel normal or fix any of my problems. I didn't like talking about it and neither did my mother who I could see gathering her purse and jacket, standing swiftly.

    “Let's go.” Not even acknowledging anything that just happened like every appointment before this, she started walking to the door and my father suddenly surged up and walked to her, at his breaking point.

   “Liza, can't you just stop for a moment? Why must you be so stiff and distant with us? Why?”

    “I'm not discussing it further here, John, let's go.” she said the last two words through gritted teeth. If I wasn't already slouched and curling in on myself, now would be the point I'd start curling up. Her harsh harsh tone unlocks the scared little boy  I remember being all those years ago when dad was always away for work more often than home. She has always been cold and distant, never really there for me when I was younger, and when I would do the slightest thing to make her angry- I stop that train of thought, can’t have a panic attack here. I, for obvious reasons, only have fond happy memories of dad who always brightened my world with love.

    “No Liza, I think we should sit here for a moment and collect our thoughts. Atticus just received the news we were dreading, do you not want to comfort him?” he throws his hands up and runs them through his hair gripping it hard.

   “I abso-fucking-lutly don't.” she spat harshly, and I knew this was it. This was her breaking point. “ He's not worth the breath. He's put us through nothing but fucking bills since he received the diagnosis.  I'm through with constantly throwing money away on him, John. Your savings are dwindling and I will not start dipping into mine for him. Speaking frankly I dont give a fuck about the brat anymore. I have a plane to catch in an hour.'' She turned to the door and opened it. “I've got a meeting in New York  in the morning, I'll be back home to have all my stuff packed on Wednesday night. I've had enough of his problems, and your pathetic need to always baby him. I'll be making an appointment with a lawyer to file divorce papers so be watching for them.”  the last thing I heard was “Goodbye John, Atticus'' and then she was gone.