Not Your Expectation (#Wattys2015)

16. The Convincing

I looked at Kayla confused and both of us ran out of the washroom. Kayla didn't even bother wiping her face. We had no idea what had happened. Did Adam-?

"No" I chastised myself, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.

When we reached the place where the others were, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I took in the scene in front of me. Adam's aunt was standing there, facing Dr. Croner. Dr. Croner looked frustrated and a bit ticked off whilst Adam's aunt had this oh-so innocent expression on her face. Jenna, Luke, Coach, Millie and the others looked angry with disbelief on their faces.

"What's going on?" Kayla whispered to me, confusion in her face mirroring mine.

"No idea." I shook my head.

I stepped forward "Excuse-me, what's going on here?"

Everybody turned to look at Kayla and I. Some cheerleaders almost gasped when they saw Kayla. Jenna gave a sigh of relief as she saw me.

"Thank God, you're here now. Lisa, Adam's aunt isn't willing to sign for the surgery." Jenna said.

There was a pin drop silence as I stared at her in shock, my mind reeling from what I just heard. What on earth does Adam's aunt think she is doing? Does she know that this surgery is the only way to save Adam's life?

I slowly turned to look at Adam's aunt. She was the same as I first saw her, but was dressed more immaculately in a floral print. black silky top and black linen pants. Her auburn hair was pulled up in a high bun and her gold rimmed glasses stayed firmly on her nose framing her green irises. She looked pretty but seemed quite vain as she looked at me with a barely hidden haughty expression.

I tried to keep the anger off my tone and asked as calmly as I could "Is what she says true, Ma'am?"

Adam's aunt didn't try to hide the truth as she replied in a clear, strong voice "Yes."

I looked in disbelief at her proud, unwavering poise and asked her in a calm voice "Why?"

"Well, Miss...?" Adam's aunt paused, looking at me.

"Brooks. I am Lisa Brooks but you can call me Lisa." I told her.

"Ah nice to meet you Lisa.  I am Sharon Henderson, Adam's aunt. You can call me Sharon." Adam's aunt extended her hand towards me.

I just stared at her blankly, making no move to shake her hand. She put it down embarrassedly and cleared her throat.

"Well Lisa, as I was saying to Dr. Croner here, I can't possible sign this form."

"Why not? You are his guardian, so you are the only person who could sign this." I told her.

"I know that but this surgery is a very risky one, Dr. Croner said that this surgery cannot determine Adam's chances of living as he is already in a critical state. Furthermore, this surgery must be started under an hour as Adam's condition has worsened. I understand this surgery will guarantee him alive but it is only a slim chance for him to live." Sharon said, looking concerned.

I looked at her in confusion. I still do not understand why she isn't agreeing to sign this form and get the surgery done. "Sharon, I understand the situation but am sorry because I totally don't get your refusal to sign and get this surgery done with."

"Lisa, you may understand that I am not Adam's real parent and his parents have left him in my care as they've been out for business purposes for the last couple of years. I can't sign this form because the surgery only gives him a slim chance to live. What if this surgery isn't successful and he dies? How can I tell his parents that I gave my consent to a surgery that didn't give much hope and took away his life? I can't handle such a risky surgery which cannot guarantee the results and have his death on my hands. So I vehemently refuse to sign this form." Sharon breathed out.