The Fight For Life And School

Chapter 2 Meeting Monica

I don't know what it's like to have cancer. I have had people around me have cancer. If you feel like I'm being rude or stretching to far please tell me.

Im up at 6:00 and in the shower by 6:15. I race down the stairs and walk into the kitchen where my laptop and phone sit. I shove them into my bag and grab a banana from the bowl in the middle of the island. I sit down and grab a piece of yellow paper and a pen.

Dad and I have gone to see mom. We will be back later. Don't do anything dumb. -Manon and Dad

I slide the paper into the middle of the island. Dad walks down the hallway, towards the kitchen. His hair glistens with water. He opens the cabnet and pulls out a mug. He begins to make some coffee.

I look away from him and busy myself with getting everything that I need for today. Today is a big day for mom and I. She has her first day at her new support group and I have to send in my applications for college.

I need to get out of this house. There's nothing here for me anymore.

Dad take's his mug that has steam coming out and walks towards the front door. He grabs his keys and his brief case before the opening the door. He turns to wait for me.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and walk towards the door. I duck under dad's arm and he shuts the door behind him. He and I get in the car. The engine turns over and we slowly drive away from the house.

I hold onto mom's arm and she holds onto mine. We slowly walk down the halls of the hospital. She's talking to me about all the nurses and their kids. She gets all the hospital drama gossip. We pass and old man in a wheel chair who waves with a smile at mom.

"Hi Hank. I'll see you later for some black jack." She says. I look at her with a smile.

"I didn't know you were aloud to gamble here." I say. Mom turns back her attention to me, rather than where she steps.

"Oh, we're not. Hank and I love to play so we do." She says. I laugh and lead her to a door that reads Meeting Center. I slowly put my hand on the door's handle.

"You ready?" I ask. Mom nods and puts her hand on mine.

"Let's do this." She says. I push open the door and hold it for her. She wobbles a little but gets the feeling of walking on her own and make's it to a seat. Everyone looks at her as she sits down. Some of the women here have scarfes on their heads, while other's have a little bit of fuzzy gray hair, and other's have a full head of hair.

"Welcome!" A perky woman, with a buzzed haircut says. Mom smiles and looks up. She's still trying to catch her breath.

"Hello." Mom breathes. I close the door and walk to the corner where a small chair is.

"Is that your daughter?" The perky woman asks. The woman points to me with a big smile. Mom looks at me and nods.

"Yes. I hope it's alright that she's here." Mom says. I can tell she doesn't like the perky woman. The woman nods and stands up. She walks over to mom and stretches out her hand.

"Monica." She says. Mom grabs her hand and gently shakes it.

"Lori." Mom says. Monica walks over to me. I quickly put my laptop away and stand up. I grab her hand and firmly shake it.

"Manon." I say. Monica smiles. She walks back to her seat and sits down. As the minutes pass, a few more people walk in. It seems as if they all are admitted to the hospital. Monica pulls out a clipboar with lined paper. She grabs a pink pen with a cancer sign on it. I pull my laptop back out and begin to work. I only begin to listen to what's going on around me when mom starts to speak.

"Hi, my name is Lori and I have breast cancer. I'm not concerned about what is happening to me. Okay, maybe I am a little worried, but Im more worried about my kids. When I first broke the news to them, which must have been the hardest thing ever, my youngest kid, Rosie, walked away and hasn't spoken to me since. She wont even be in the same room as me. Im more scared about loosing my kids than loosing my life." She says. Monica nods and sends me a look. I close my laptop and give mom all her attention. A woman with a scarf around her head speaks up.

"Lori, I understand that your children mean the world to you, but there will be no world for them if you don't try to get through this. If Rosie--Rosie correct?" The woman asks. Mom nods and crosses her legs. The woman continues, "If Rosie hasn't talked to you since then, let her come to you. I'm sure she's scared and confused. Cancer is something that doesn't just hurt the person it's in. It also hurts the people around. Give her time." The woman finishes with a nod. A few people nod, agreeing with her. My heart begins to thumpity thump thump and my face feels warm.

"I understand that cancer is a terrible thing, but loosing my girls is worse. They are my world so with them, there is nothing more important." She says.

"Im Cynthia by the way. Lori, forget about your kids for one second and think about yourself. This is your time. Use it wisely." I stand upbruptly. The chair screeches back and people look at me. I set my laptop in my bag and grab it.

"Excuse me." I say and walk out. I slam the door shut behind me and angrily sling my bag over my shoulder.

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That's chapter two! I really hope you guys like it. Comment, vote, and leave feedback even if it's harsh. Love you!

~Cora💙