A Sequel to 'Strong Enough' based on the alternate ending of that story

Chapter 5

Who would have thought three words would have such an impact on them, the words hadn't left Dr.Miller's mouth a minute when Adam felt his whole world being flipped on its axis.

He could see the blood drain from Kim's face, her arms wrapped around their son who sat in her lap.

Adam knew it was bad when they were led into Dr.Miller's office and not an exam room, nothing good could from a meeting in the doctor's office.

Their son.

He was only seven years old, shit he still thought monsters lived under his bed.

Except they didn't, there was a monster for sure, it just lived inside little Adam and not under his bed. One so ugly and hateful it made every hair on Adam's neck stand on end, this was a monster he couldn't chase from his son's dreams.

He was helpless to protect his son.

The look of confusion on his son's face killed him, the kid wasn't old enough to understand all the medical jargon being tossed about the office.

Fuck, he wasn't old enough to understand himself. Each term more bewildering than the last.

The only thing pulling him from the fog he was in was the little Adam's soft voice "What's wrong Daddy, am I sick?"

Kim muffled a sob at her son's question, neither one knew how to answer him.

Adam was relieved when Dr.Miller spoke, "Adam, yes you are sick" he told him.

It was so much more than that, but it was all he needed to know at the moment, D.Miller glanced at Kim and Adam, "I want you both to know that I will do everything humanly possible to see you guys through to the other side of this. To see a healthy Adam standing before us when this is all over. You've got my word"

Adam nodded his head, "What now?"

Dr.Miller pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "We are going to admit him to Cromer Childrens hospital, they're the best" he explained, "We are going to check him out head to toe. We will get a better picture of what we're dealing with and how far it's progressed and go from there"

Kim was still struggling to process his diagnosis and wasn't ready for a hospital stay, "Today?" She didn't think she could do this, couldn't watch her son go through what she now knew was inevitable.

Dr.Miller, shook his head, "First thing tomorrow, give you both some time to process it all"

They drove home in an awkward silence, both afraid to speak.

That once they opened their mouths they would lose all ability to control their emotions, that the fear they were feeling would engulf them.

Little Adam watched them both from the back seat, his mother's hand wrapped around his father's right arm. Sure, she always touched him when he drove, but something about this was different.

Adam didn't understand everything that had been discussed, but judging from his parents reactions it was bad.

That scared him.

The day was a blur, both just going through the motions. Neither one had brought up what the doctor had told them.

It was the elephant in the room.

No matter how many times Kim squeezed her eyes shut, once she opened them the elephant remained.

Quickly she used the back of her hands to wipe the tears away, she spotted Adam sitting outside.

A half drank bottle of beer at his feet.

She slid the door open, "Adam, it's late. Come inside please"

Adam nodded and stood up joining her in the house, he emptied the remaining beer into the kitchen sink, turning the faucet on to wash it down the drain.

He slammed his palm on the counter, startling Kim, "This isn't right Kim, he's only seven. Jesus Christ he's just a little boy, he doesn't deserve this" his last words strangled by sob he'd been refusing to release.

Kim went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, "I don't know" was all she could muster.

Adam wiped his eyes, "Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia" he said the words aloud for the first time since they heard them this morning. He's heard people compare having children to having your heart live outside your body, he never fully understood it.

Until now.

They heard footsteps come down the hallway, Adam grabbed a kitchen towel and wiped his eyes and turned towards the face belonging to the feet.

"Couldn't sleep?" Adam asked him.

Little Adam rolled his shoulders and climbed up on the bar stool, resting his elbows on the island, "can I ask a question?" He may only be seven but he was wise enough to pick up on the fears of his parents.

Kim nodded as she adjusted her robe, "Of course baby" she said tousling his hair, her heartbreaking as she thought of what was to come.

He picked at an apple that was sitting in the basket, he furrowed his brow.

Adam couldn't help but see the resemblance between mother and son, "Adam, go on ask your question"

He sighed, "Am I going to die?" His eyes begging them both for an answer and reassurance.

---Note---

Doing my best to get the medical stuff right, I'm using a few different sources and treading carefully. Obviously, I'm not a doctor and mistakes will be made but doing my best to keep it as accurate and realistic as possible.

Hope you are enjoying it so far.

It won't be all doom and gloom.