Potion

False Cure

Heat pressed to my face.

I awoke to see a bright, flashing light. It was the sun trickling through my blinds. It warmed my face, and made me dazzled. The sky outside was clear blue. Bright and lively. The sun was high in the sky, telling me it was noon.

That's when I remembered what today was.

I smiled and hustled out of bed. Frolicking into the bathroom, I tossed a towel over my shoulder and entered the shower.

The whole time I was humming and singing. I was truly happy for today. Maybe Jesse would forgive me from the other night. Maybe our relationship would take a turn for the best.

I finished with my shower, and found a large sweater to pull on. I put some shorts on underneath. I ran a comb through my corn silk hair. I passed my dresser and saw the tunic placed safely inside. Waiting for me to wear it.

I itched to put it on.

Making my way downstairs, I found that my mom was already awake. On the phone, like usual. Her dark hair was a mess, odds and ends sticking up sporadically. Her carmel eyes were alight, almost hysterical. Blue bags outlined them darkly. She was talking with a drowsy, lackadaisical voice.

Had she been up all night on the phone?

When she saw me enter the kitchen, her lips broke into a smile. She replied to the people on the phone, telling them she had to go. I waited patiently.

When my mom ended the call, she stood up in a flash. She took my hands excitedly.

"Mom, what's going on?"

She pursed her lips and grinned. Her almond eyes sparkled.

"Well, sweetheart, I've been talking to people on the phone a lot lately."

"I've noticed." I murmured under my breath.

"Yes, I'm so sorry about that Willow, dear. But the day I brought you back that coffee...and I was gone a long time...the whole day I was at the hospital." She began.

Why on earth would she go there...? I held my tongue as she kept going.

"I went to see Dr. Lance, because he had called me to tell me some news. So I've been at the hospital the past few days, talking to them, figuring things out. And I've been on the phone with Dr. Lance's co-worker, Reid-"

I cut her off.

"Mom. Please tell me what's going on."

I saw her bite her lip. Her delicate hands were wringing in circles. The tiny light was still in her eyes. Finally, she spit it out.

"Well, Dr. Lance told me they might have a cure."

My breath whooshed out of me. I couldn't breathe. It was preposterous. They couldn't have found a cure. Last time I was at the hospital, they were positive there would be no cure. They were sure of it.

Now, all that logic was out.

Suddenly, thousands of ideas popped into my head. Ideas of my future. Of what I could possibly do if the doctors were correct.

I would get to go back to school.

I would get to feel excited, and scared.

I would get to see Aunt Jolie, Penelope, my Mom.

I would get to spend time with Jesse.

One particular thought stood out from the rest.

I would get to kiss him.