SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, J.HUGHES

SIXTY FOUR

"It's doing amazing, Morgan," the doctor says, and I melt into my chair like butter on a warm bagel. Thank god for that. The relief is unreal, like someone just lifted a damn elephant off my chest.

This is the appointment. The one where I find out if the treatments are doing their thing. If all the tests and poking and prodding mean something. The doc's words keep bouncing around in my head on repeat. "Amazing." I could cry, but that'd mess up my mascara, and honestly, I'm not in the mood for raccoon eyes today.

"And I mean it," she continues, all serious. "You'll be alright."

I bite my lip, trying not to lose it right there. It's one of the first times in, what, weeks? Months? That I actually feel...hopeful. Like maybe, just maybe, there's a future waiting for me that doesn't involve endless hospital visits and existential dread.

"So, what's next?" I lean forward in my seat, almost too eager, my foot tapping like I'm about to burst out of here. Which, let's be real, I kinda am.

The doctor circles a spot on the scan, and I nod along like I totally know what she's talking about. "See that?" she says. "In about four weeks, we'll remove it completely."

I nod again, but this time with more feeling. Like, hell yeah. "So, we'll give you a call soon to schedule that. Until then, keep doing what you're doing, come to your sessions, and stay positive, alright?" She gives me this look over her glasses like I'm supposed to take that last bit seriously, but it's hard not to laugh when I'm finally hearing good news for once.

I grin—like, full-on, Cheshire cat grin—because I can't not smile right now. I feel light. Like, maybe things are gonna be okay.

I practically hop out of my chair, speed-walk out of the office, and almost break into a run toward my car, where Gab's waiting for me in the front seat, scrolling through her phone.

As soon as I slide in, I'm like, "Dude. It's working. It's fucking working."

Gab looks up, all wide-eyed, and then she's grinning too. "No fucking way!" She throws her arms around me, and I swear we're both about to start screaming right here in the parking lot.

I buckle up, still buzzing with excitement. "Okay, now we need to celebrate. Like, brunch, shots, something."

"Brunch and shots? It's like, 11 a.m."

"Hello, I just got the best news of my life. I'm not waiting until happy hour."

I practically bounce in my seat. "Let's hit up their practice. I wanna surprise them and tell them the good news."

Gab doesn't even blink. "Alright, let's go."

She revs up the car and speeds toward the rink. It's not like we make a habit of crashing their practice, and none of the other girlfriends usually do, but we've got the pass, so why not? Even if it's gonna be long and kinda boring, I'm pumped. This is a big deal, and I want to share it with them.

We pull into the rink's parking lot, and I'm practically climbing out of the car before Gab's even fully parked. 

Gab follows, laughing at my enthusiasm. We make our way inside, where the cold air hits us like a blast. I spot Jack and Luke on the ice, going through their drills, and I can't help but grin.

Jack's gliding around, looking focused but with his usual intensity. I wave frantically at him through the glass. He catches sight of me and his face lights up, breaking into a huge grin as he skates over to the side of the rink.

"What the hell are you guys doing here?" Jack shouts, his voice muffled through the glass but still full of surprise and curiosity.

I press my face against the glass, practically bouncing on my toes. Gab leans against the glass, laughing.