Leave The City (Book 8 of Adopted by the Josephs)

67. Dylan

When I left Sam's room I went into the public washroom and into a stall. I cried.

She might have cancer. How is that fair? It isn't! I hit the wall in the stall. It isn't fair! If she has cancer, she might die. She's already said she doesn't want treatment. Which means she'll die. I can't lose her. Not like that.

Once I'd had enough time to sort of come to grips, I headed out of the hospital and took an Uber to Brendon and Sarah's to get my car. From there, I drove home.

"Dylan!" My mom said as I came in the front door. "How's Samantha? What happened?"

I looked at my mom and she could see from my eyes that I wasn't happy.

"Dylan? What's wrong? She's not... she didn't..."

I shook my head but started crying. She was hugging me a second later.

"Dylan? What is it?" She asked.

"She might be dying," I sobbed.

"What do you mean?" My mom asked, hugging me tighter. I sobbed, holding on to my mom.

When I'd calmed down a little I stood up and my mom made me look at her.

"What do you mean? What happened? What's happening? What do you mean she might be dying?"

I took a deep breath.

"They did a CT scan last night and there's a shadow on her brain. It might be cancer.  And she already said if it is, she doesn't want chemo," I said.

"Oh, Dylan. That poor girl. With everything she's been through?"

"And she thinks I want to break up with her," I muttered.

"What do you mean? What did you say to her, Dylan?" my mom asked.

"I don't want to break up with her!" I exclaimed. "Mom, I'm serious. I think I, I think I want to marry her. I've never felt this way about anyone. Ever. But with Sam, it's just... it's different. I want to protect her, but I don't want to stand in her way. I want to grow old with her. And have kids. And see the world with her. But we can't do that if she has cancer and dies."

My mom wrapped her arms around me again.

"First off you're only 18. So maybe hold off on the whole marriage thing? You two have college still," my mom said. "And second, did the doctor say it was cancer?"

"No. They did an MRI and they're still waiting for the results. But he said it's possible," I said.

My mom looked at me. My dad came out of his office off the living room.

"Hey, Champ. What's happening? How's Samantha?" He asked. My parents love Samantha. Everyone loves Samantha.  I can't lose her. I shook my head. I didn't want to repeat what I'd just told my mom.

"Dylan says they did an MRI because of some shadow on Sam's brain. They haven't confirmed anything, but they're concerned it might be cancer. Samantha has said she doesn't want chemo if it is," my mom explained to my dad. My dad stopped and looked at me.

"Oh, Dyl. I'm sorry.  I know there isn't anything I can say or do but just know we're here for you, okay? Whatever the outcome, we're with you. And Sam."

I nodded.

"I'm going to shower and change then go back to the hospital. I promised her a brownie and a coffee from Starbucks," I said, turning to the stairs. Neither of my parents said anything.

I went into my room, stripped off my clothes and threw them in the hamper, grabbed my towel and went into my bathroom. I cried a little more in the shower, worried I'd lose the one person in my life that made me feel whole.