Leticia [The ADAMS Family]

06

AFTER breakfast, I go outside to the backyard near the swimming pool to call Dr. Jihoo.

My conversation with Astrid yesterday, opened my eyes and I deeply considered her suggestion to ask for a second opinion but I don't have contacts and I'm not going to ask my mother to help me. She still looks like a zombie this morning and it's the first time that I've seen Dad look so worried without hiding it.

I feel terrible because this is all my fault.

I'm the one who is forcing her to keep quiet about my illness even though my family deserves to know. My father deserves to know but I want to get a second opinion. I want to make sure that I'm really sick before I break the news because I know that my father won't sit still when he learns about it. He'll even send me to India or the States to make sure that I'm either going to die or not.

Dr. Jihoo finally picks up the phone and I take several steps away from the main house to the trenches. "Hello?"

"Dr. Jihoo," I say. "I apologise for calling so early,"

"It's fine, Leticia. I was already awake," he replies. "It's called being a dad,"

He laughs as he says his last line and I unwillingly join in because I want to tread lightly when approaching this topic.

"Yeah," I say and he sighs.

"I know that it's hard and I commend you for taking the news well-

"I want a second opinion," I blab, interrupting him and the line goes silent.

I feel terrible for telling him that because he's an amazing doctor but this is my life we're talking about. I need to be assured.
"You don't trust my judgement," he drawls and I lightly rub my forehead with my right hand.

"I do but...you need to understand that this is my life and I deserve a second opinion. I need to make sure that I have a tumour and that if there's a way I can have the surgery without losing my memories," I rush out, pacing across the trimmed lawn, feeling the ends of my slacks getting dump because of the grass that is still wet due to the downpour last night.

I take in a deep breath after my ramble and stop in my tracks. "Please,"

He doesn't say anything and I remove my phone from my ear and look at the black screen that turns on, revealing that the call is still ongoing. "Hello? Dr. Jihoo?" I ask, after placing it by my ear again.

"I heard you," he says, his voice becoming dry and I flinch.

I guess I deserve that.

"I'm a doctor and I will not refuse my client from doing what is best for their health," he says, and I swallow.

"So..." I start, my voice becoming hesitant. "...does that mean that you'll help me get a second opinion?"

"Second opinion?" he says to me. "Yes. I have friends in the UK and the States. I will send them the images and contact you so that you can hear it from them for yourself if my diagnosis is wrong,"