Rise To Stardom

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Your cancer..."

Before the words came out, I already had a sense of what they were. The remorse flooding in the doctor's eyes and his hesitation were a dead giveaway. My hands instinctively flew to my father's wrist, the vice grip turning my knuckles white.

The temptation to cover my ears was strong, but there was no way I was going to let dad know how weak I was, so I shoved that temptation down my throat. I was going to have to hear the words one way or another.

"I'm afraid to inform you that..."

I rolled my glossy eyes. All this man was doing was postponing the inevitable heartbreak.

"... that your cancer returned... sir."

Those words rattled around in my head.

His cancer came back. We spent years thinking that he was out of the woods and that he was okay. God decided that we looked too happy together so He took that and crushed it into pieces.

The rest of the doctor's words were blurred into the background as I took a second to process everything. The cancer was consuming him again. Who knew how much longer I'd get to play the piano for him, fall asleep on his lap and cheer at his favorite football team with him.

I despised football. But I knew how much it meant to him so I toughened up.

My stomach reacted; the omelet that I had for breakfast was suddenly at the tip of my tongue. Before I could comprehend what was happening, my feet carried me away from the room and away from the lungs that were slowly killing my father.

My vision was blocked by the tears that were pooling my eyes, but they still managed to recognize the blue 'restroom' sign that hung on the right. With my head down, I hurried inside and claimed the first opened stall I saw.

The food in my mouth was finally released into the toilet as well as the tears from my eyes. Water was flowing down my cheeks and my hands were gripping the edges of the seat like it was my lifeline.

This was my father. The man that raised me, taught me how to defend myself, held my hand when I was scared and cuddled with me after I had a nightmare. How was I expected to live without him? How cruel could God be to rip him away from me? He was the only parent I ever had.

My mom barely counted. She would only be home days at a time before flying across the country for her hotel business. My dad was all I had. He never should've gotten cancer in the first place. He never should've lit the cigarette and placed it in his mouth.

If he hadn't been addicted to smoking, none of this would've happened. I wiped off the puke dripping from my lips with the back of my hand. It didn't bother me that a bit of throw-up was making contact with my skin. Nothing could bother me anymore. I didn't care about anything anymore. All I wanted was more time with my father.

At this point, that would be impossible. I took a lungful breath and turned my back against the seat, my hands clasped together in a prayer position.

Daddy always said: "If you ever feel low, turn to God. He will never abandon you if you need Him the most" and I did. During this time of pain, He was the only one who could cease my fear. Even though He already had the intent of taking my dad away from me. At least He would give me solace. The words streamed together in my head.

Dear Lord, please don't take my daddy home just yet. I'm not ready for him to go. I can't imagine a world where he doesn't make me my favorite breakfast or where he can physically be there to support my dreams. My Lord, perform a miracle only you could bless us with. Anything that would mean extra time with my daddy.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.