One step at a time

34

Melissa Newman

Everyone was smiling, They were laughing which was something I missed, I was a cancer patient there was never any good news just new regimens, New treatments, New medicine, New scans or even sometimes they wanted to try something new. My body was so weak, but somehow I found it in myself to smile, laugh, and do anything but feel sorry for myself. I could tell Lee was hurting, I didn't see it I could feel it. I felt it deep within me. Everything shifted when I became sick once again, But today was different today I would make sure that he was happy. "Happy birthday Lee" I said as I placed my birthday present for him on the table and I smiled up at him. I wheeled my chair around to him and began standing up well that was before he pushed me back down and ordered me not to get up. He kneeled to me in my wheelchair and hugged me. "Happy birthday sis" He smiled and not the fake one he has been giving me for weeks he gave me a genuine smile. The ones that I missed most.

A tear was cascading down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away so no one could see that I was crying. "Open it Lee" I smiled as he grabbed the present and ripped it open like he was a 5 year old on Christmas day. His face was priceless. "How did you remember I told you I wanted one 4 years ago and you still remember" Lee has always loved taking pictures, That was his hobby he could never afford a camera so he stuck to his beat up old phone. "There's one more present in there" I smiled as he came across the iPhone 8 that I kept for him when I went to the treatment centre. "Ive had that for the last three years I held on to it when I went away so I could give it to you in return you may not have been there but this phone has and its now yours so in a way I had part of you with me the whole way through its like you never left my side, There are a bunch of videos in there I took fort you when I was away I told you everything, I took you with me and when your ready you can watch them there's a lot of me and Noah on there, Martin and I and some of just myself I thought that one day this would be the perfect present I hope you like it" I smiled as I stopped rambling.

"Now it would be great if we could go to the park or something, I haven't been outside in what feels like ever but eat your cake first" I smiled as wheeled back around to the other side of the table to eat my breakfast. "Uh sister your forgetting something" I shook my head forgotten something that's not like me. I was in deep thought trying to remember what I had forgotten. "We're twins its your birthday too" Birthdays there was a deep hatred for them inside me and everyone knew that, Ignoring the fact that this was the day I was born. Shaking my head truing to wheel myself away but I was stopped and turned to see Martin the traitor. "You never let us celebrate your birthing day in the hospital so now there is no way you can stop me now" He had a glint in his eyes which tells me that today is going to be the worst day ever. "You want to play that card right now maybe I should tell them what tomorrow is then" I raised my eyebrow daring him to continue. "Eh you win some and you lose some" He didn't care. "What's tomorrow?" Lee asked as the rest of my family was there with clueless eyes except my mum because well she already knew.

My smile was so big I'm surprised my face didn't break. "Martin's birthday" A smirk grew along my face and I laughed an evil laugh. "Bitch" Marin muttered and all I did was laugh. "You have got to be kidding me" Lee shouted. "Its not a big deal I hate my birthday" That was another thing we both had in common but we always celebrated each others birthday it was a different story when it was our own and with that information I could sneak off. "Don't even think about it we haven't forgotten that it so happens to be your birthday today and all our friends will be here soon" Groaning I parked my wheelchair back at the table there was no way anyone would let me get off today. "But since you want to go out today we will have your party at the park or something" I smiled at least we would be out today.

"These are yours" Our parents said as they placed something on my lap. Martin and Lee placed parcels on me too. Placing them all on my makeshift bed aka the couch I would open them later and everyone knew that. "Happy birthday to the best set of twins we all know" Megan shouted as she ran into the house making us all laugh. "we're the only set of twins you know" Chuckling at her red face was the best thing that's happen to me today. "We're going to the beach" Lee said as everyone came inside Blake included he was Lee's friend so he was invited as well. I didn't have a problem with him being here as long as he didn't say anything to me or annoy me. Presents were piled on the table in stacks for each person. Lee carried mine over to my couch slash bed. "Melissa this is from our friend" I got confused when mum said that then it clicked there was only one person who we included as both our friends, The old man that I didn't know the name too I smiled and nodded that I understood her.

"Why are we going to the beach?" Casey asked as her frowned which is what he did when he was confused or when he was concentrating very hard. I only knew that because Noah used to do the same thing. "These are from mine and Noah's parents who would like to come and visit you they've been bugging me about it ever since they found out you were sick again" Casey smiled as he put them on my present pile. "You need to ask my parents not me, I miss them though" He looked to my parents and they both laughed but shook their heads anyway. "These are from my mum" Blake said as he placed more presents on the table and on my stack which seems to only getting bigger and bigger.

"Oh and this is from the school and our class" Tony said as he placed more presents on our growing stacks. "We're so loved" Lee laughed and I just shook my head I did notice that Blake got me something I didn't know weather to throw it out burn it or just simply ignore it. He was my best friend and in a way he still is. "Can we go now?" Lee asked as everyone just sat there at our table. "I have to get ready first" I said as I was wheeling away. "You look fine Lissa" he had grown two heads I was in a hospital gown. "Mum and Megan can you help me change please you will have to pick something out maybe a singlet and shorts maybe I would say a dress but you know the wind" I laughed as they made their way towards the stairs and my bedroom. Most of the time I just stay in my hospital gown.