Epiphany

Chapter 3

Sitting in a chair, surrounded by white walls, Everly waited in anticipation. Her mind was void of any thoughts as she stared at the paperweight, holding down some loose papers, which failed to capture her attention. The paperweight, an orange Nemo trapped between two green kelps in a beautiful transparent ball, served as a poignant metaphor for her life.
She yearned to break free from the self-imposed prison she had created.
What if her father hadn't passed away?
What if her mother saw her as more than just a burden?
What if she wasn't the adopted one?
What if she had rebelled the moment she was sent off to boarding school?
What if she possessed the strength to not feel disappointed every time someone spoke ill of her?
What if she hadn't been diagnosed with this deadly disease that would claim her life within a year?

Would she truly be able to live a happy life? She was exhausted from wearing a measured smile on her face at all times, pretending to be happy whenever her loved ones inquired about her well-being.

Interrupting her train of thought, Dr. Sasha, a woman in a white coat, entered the room. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Everly," she spoke softly as she took her seat across from her patient.

"No worries," Everly replied, mustering a measured smile as she observed the doctor settling into her chair.

"So, how are you doing? Is the pain recurring or becoming too intense?" Dr. Sasha asked, her tone a blend of compassion and professionalism.

"No, it's... umm... manageable," Everly replied, carefully choosing her words to reflect her current situation.

"Have you noticed any other changes recently?" the doctor inquired.

"No, nothing out of the ordinary. My legs do ache occasionally at night when I'm about to sleep, and I get tired after exercising a bit. But nothing new."

It had only been two months since things changed for Everly. She had been on her way to work when her legs suddenly gave out, leaving her unable to move. Thankfully, her neighbor, a nurse, had witnessed her fall and rushed her to the hospital. It was there that she received the devastating news of her diagnosis: ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

She vividly remembered the conversation; "I'm sorry, but I'm having trouble understanding, Doctor," Everly hesitated, her voice trembling. Though she contemplated escaping from the room, she lacked the courage to face the doctor's next words, which were undoubtedly grim. The doctor's sympathetic gaze remained fixed on her, perhaps the reason she had been asked to bring someone with her.

"Miss Greenfield, ALS is an untreatable and progressive neurodegenerative disease. It gradually damages your motor neurons, leading to paralysis and dysfunction." Dr. Sasha explained gently.

Everly's heart raced, her fingers and toes turning cold. The medical jargon felt alien to her, but the doctor's expression conveyed the gravity of the situation. She had sensed it coming, deep down, when the hospital called to inform her that her test results were ready and scheduled an immediate appointment. The knot in her stomach tightened when she was asked to bring a family member along. But she had adamantly refused to let anyone in on her health condition if it wasn't favorable.

"I'm sorry, Doctor, but are you saying... am I going to die?" Everly stammered, still struggling to comprehend the reality that she had limited time left. Did it mean she was truly going to die, or did it hold some other unknown meaning?

The doctor's pitiful smile remained as she replied, "I'm afraid so, Everly. You have a limited time left." Everything came to a standstill. The weight of the news pressed upon her, rendering her motionless. She was going to die. That single thought consumed her mind, leaving little room for anything else.