Cancer Perks || Luke Hemmings

Six

Despite the fact that the already large mass in my liver was growing; life returned to "normal". I went to work early in the mornings with my mother, and stayed up late reading "My Final Wish."

I went to work every day hoping and praying that the Luke Hemmings would return to the small run down record store. Unfortunately though, he hadn't.

I think that both my mother and I tried to forget all together that the doctors appointment even occurred, but deep down we new that this changed everything. My usually cheerful and happy mother slowly became dragged down with all the bills and insurance. Dark bags had become a permanent feature on her face. And no matter how much my mother denied it, I knew this was all my fault. I couldn't help myself, it was just my natural reaction, my first instinct. I was sick, plain and simple. But instead of having a small medication to heal my illness, I required months of intense chemotherapy, and enough perceptions to make your head spin. Long story short, I am a huge financial burden to my family, and I'm sick of it.

"Audrey - sweetie are you awake?" My mom said popping her head into my bedroom.

I carefully dog eared the corner of My Final Wish and set in gently on my bed.

"Yeah I'm up." I replied in my slightly groggy morning voice.

"I'm about to head out to work, could you do some chores and-" she began before I cut her off.

"Actually can I work today?" I questioned.

"Audrey someone's got to stay at the house and finish all these chores." She protested.

"Mom please." I paused, "you need a day off, I promise I'll do the chores when I get home you just need to rest."

My mom sighed and messaged her temples as she thought over my proposal.

"Audrey but-" she started.

"Mom please, just let me do this." I got up and stood a few feet from her, taking her dry cracked hands in my own.

"Only this once." She whispered under her breathe.

"Thank you mom." I said wrapping her in a tight hug.

"Now go and get some rest, you definitely deserve it." I said ushering her out of my room.

I rushed to get ready, tugging on a pair of leggings and a low cut black tank top. I looked in the mirror and brushed my fingers through my half wavy hair straight hair before deciding to just cover it up with a gray beanie. I quickly brushed on my makeup and rushed out my bedroom door. I stumbled down the stairs, trying to multitask by pulling in my converse at the same time. I grabbed a my purse, phone, and keys before grabbing the bike helmet and rushing to the motorcycle parked at the bottom of the driveway.

I was already slightly late as I sped down the street, hoping that no one had gotten to the store right at opening time.

A few minutes later I parked the motorcycle in a spot at the store and jogged around the building, fishing the store keys out of my bag.

I took my attention away from searching for the keys for a split second to peer at the front of the store. Standing there, just like I had hoped against, was a surprising familiar looking customer.

I took a few steps closer to the door with the keys finally in my hand, causing the man to face me.

Just as his head turned to face me and his eyes locked with mine, I took in a silent gasp of air.

No way. No fucking way was it him. For a second time. The Luke Hemmings.

"Hey." He said, scratching the back of his neck, "you're the owner of this store, right?"