"What?!" I stared at my dad not believing his answer.
"I'm sorry son. But I can't lie, especially if my life depended on it." My dad seemed so sincere but I didn't want to believe him. My life is spinning out of control right now and for my dad to say that just amazed me that he would ever do such a thing.
"Dad, this can't be true. You ALWAYS said that you were setting good examples for me and for you to have smoked just changes my whole mindset."
"Nate, I keep telling you not to because of all the trouble it got me, and I kept it from you all this time because I didn't want you to make any of the same mistakes I made."
"Excuse me for interrupting but Mr. Crest, could you answer some questions?"
"Dr. Keen, ofcourse. Do you mind if Nate says? I kind of want him to here this." Ofcourse I want to hear it too, I thought in my head. I was so mad at my dad for taking part in such a dangerous act.
"That's not a problem Mr. Crest. Okay first question, when was the first time that you smoked and for how long?" Dr. Keen had his "serious face" on and I knew that I should focus on what my dad was giving as his answers.
"The first time was when I was about 20 and I quit when I heard the news that me and Amy, my wife, were going to have Nate because I knew I would set a bad example. So, I smoked for about 9 years." When I heard my mom's name my body froze and I could feel my heart drop. I hated hearing her mentioned or even the name "Amy" I always got emotional; well, she was called to duty right when I went into middle school and never returned. I miss her like crazy to this day. Especially the way she tucked me in at night, when she brought me a cookie and then tucked me into bed. If I had to choose I think that the best part of the routine was when she was reading a story to me; with that calm and quite voice, I fell asleep within a matter of minutes, then she used to kiss my forehead, turn off my light and shut the door quietly behind her. I wish I could see her one last time.
"Okay, and do you know anyone that has had any kind of cancer?"
"No. I don't." My dad's eyes were watering now, I think that he was thinking about my mom now too. They used to be really close. They always read books to each other, romance books to be specific. And they always spent time together, where ever they went together.
"I do." I remember my best friend Ryan telling me that his uncle went through cancer and everything. It was such a hard time for him.
Everyone, even the doctor, was stunned to here me say that. I think that they didn't know that a 14 year-old knew someone. Next, I explained to everyone what Ryan went through and how it impacted his life.
Then, the same nurse that told me that I couldn't go with my dad, came in and gave Dr. Keen some papers. His face lit up like a Christmas Tree and I think that everyone knew that there was a bright side to this dilemma.
"Well, I think that you will all be glad to hear this." Our eyes were now glued to his. "Mr. Crest, you have non-small cell Lung Cancer, Stage 1. Meaning that the cancer is small and hasn't spread to your lymph nodes. Treatment is simple, remove the cancer as soon as possible before it spreads and make sure that all the cancer cells are gone so that it doesn't come back. This process will take some time, is there anyone that can watch your son while you are being treated?"
"I would be happy to watch him." My Aunt Rachel has finally spoken, I haven't heard her voice in a few hours. The doctor shakes all of our hands and then walks out.
"Dad, what about our camping trip?" I knew that this wasn't the best time to bring it up, but that was going to be the highlight of the summer and I couldn't leave without knowing.
"Nate, I don't know. I guess we can go at the end of the summer if I get out but if I don't then the summer after I get out." He looked so weak saying this that I couldn't hold whatever I had left in. I don't know how long that I cried for but I know that it felt like forever. When I finally pulled myself together, my Aunt Rachel guided me out to her car and we went back to my house to grab my stuff and Nolan. I was still a little mad at my dad for not telling me that he used to smoke, but he was honest and that was the past, and we are in the present now. I can't say mad at him, especially because his last day could be tomorrow for all I know.
