Chapter 2

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Anabell's P.O.V.

When I woke up, I was surprised to see my mom sitting right next to me. I sat up and then realized I wasn't even in my own bed. Finally, I was able to get a good look at my surrounding. Then I heard it. That soft, consistent beeping. At that, I knew exactly where I was. I was in the hospital. I couldn't remember how I had gotten there. The last thing I could remember was falling into warm and sweaty arms. Then I remembered the face. Daniel. No! It couldn't be, it... it just couldn't. Why would Daniel help me? I turned to look over at my mom.

"How did I get here, mom? And arn't you supposed to be at work? It's a Friday," I said.

My mom replied," No, sweetheart. It's a Sunday. You have been unconscious for two days."

Shocked, I said,"What! How did that happen? The last thing I remember was gym class. Then I was talking to someone but I fell and Da--I mean someone caught me."

"I don't know why you passed out. We couldn't wake you. This is the first time you have been fully awake. Don't be alarmed but the doctors are going to come take a few tests and maybe move you to different rooms. If you start to feel dizzy or something, make sure you tell them ok," my mom replied.

"Mom?"

"Yes, sweetie."

"Where is Carter?"

My mom answered,"I told him to stay home. I thought it would upset you if he was here so I just said to stay put. If I needed him, I promised to call."

This came as a shock to me because most of the time I got in trouble when Carter was around.

The next few days went by pretty fast. I mainly had a routine that I went through every day. Wake up, shower, test, breakfast, test, lunch, test, free time with family, test, dinner, test, go to bed. Most of my day was testing. By the third day it was getting really annoying. If they couldn't find anything wrong with me maybe it was a sign. It means there is nothing wrong with me!

Finally, a week and about a million tests later, the doctor came in. He said he had some news.

"After all that testing, we figured out why Anabell has passed out. This may come as a shock to you but Anabell has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I'm so sorry, Mrs. Jackson," the doctor told us.

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The hospital started to feel like another home to me. Since my cancer was so bad, I was forced to stay and receive chemo treatments often. There was nothing I hated more than not being able to get up and do my own thing. Though my nurse was nice, I did not like the fact that each and every day I had to do what the nurse said. It was just not me. I was very independent.

My mom wouldn't come visit me very often and when she did, she always brought Farter. Every time they would show up, me and Farter would get in this heated argument and many unwanted things were said. Two or three nurses would come in and say they had to leave. There was no exception and you could see it in those nurses' eyes: 'You leave now, or you don't come back!' The relief that crossed my face when the two left made the nurses see that I hated when they visited.

One day while lying in my bed, watching a movie, my nurse came in saying I had three visitors. I couldn't figure out who would be here. It was only family that could visit right now and the nurses knew I didn't want to see my mom. In a very confused way I told the nurse it was ok for them to come in. When my visitors walked threw the door, surprised couldn't even explain how I felt. Standing in my doorway was my dad and my two siblings. "Why are they here," I thought very confuzzled.

"Dad, what are you doing here," I finally asked after regaining my voice.

My father replied,"We were going to come down and visit family for a vacation. When your mom called and told me what had happened, we decided to come and see you. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you all those years. After, the divorce I just couldn't bear to see you because you remind me so much of your mom. It was just to much to handle. I am really sorry, Anabell. I hope you can forgive me."

Did he really just say that. Two years it had been since my dad decided to exclude me from his life. All that time I thought it was something I did but it was really something my mom did. All those years wishing my dad would have taken me with him. All those years he never called and I sat by the phone when it rung, wishing it was him. Never in all his life had he said something like that to me.

Regaining my voice, I said, "I always forgave you, Dad. I knew you must have a reason for not talking to me. Although, I must say I really did miss you. I used to wait by the phone hoping one day it would be you on the other side of it."

"I know. And I am sorry. I missed you too and if I could go back and change what I did I would. Anabell, I love you so much and there isn't anything I would give you up for," my dad replied.

"I love you too, Dad!"

Turning to my to siblings I said,"You know, I don't bite. It would be great if you gave your sister a hug once in a while."

Rushing over, Molly and Michael gave me a huge bear hug. I hadn't realized how much I missed those hugs. The next thing I knew was my dad had joined the hug and we were all in a family group hug.

We spent the next hour and a half talking and laughing. It felt so good to catch up with one another and I got to here about how Molly and Michael learned so much in school. My dad got a new job and was making quite the image for himself. I told my dad all that had happened in the past two years and was glad to know that my dad wanted to listen to more. I told him about Daniel and how he always picks on me. He asked me about Amber and gave me tips on how to get back at Daniel. They actually sounded reasonable and fun too. Maybe you can have both in payback. When the nurse came in and said it was time for them to leave, I was a little scared to let them go. I didn't want my dad out of my life again.

Sensing this my father came over and gave me a big hug saying,"It was a mistake not talking to you. I promise to call as often as I can and keep you up to speed. But you have to promise me you won't be afraid to call me, Ok?"

"I promise. I love you all so much. And you to can call me any time you want, you know. A big sister always like to know what is going on," I told the twins, smiling.

"Ok," the two replied in unison.

After my family had left, I laid down in my bed thinking about what had just happened. It had been great to see my dad again. I had missed him so much. Laying my head on the pillow, I fell into the best sleep I had had since the divorce of my two parents.

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