Nora

Chapter 8: Elevator Run Ins

I wake up on Thursday very tired but oh so very happy. Despite the cancer starting to take over my body and give me more aches and pains and nausea I am probably the happiest person in the world right now. I get out of bed and take a shower and then go out into the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. 

"Hello darling," Moms says. She's drinking coffee and eating toast.

"Hey Mom, got any plans for today?" I steal a bit of her toast but she doesn't protest.

"Your Dad and I are having a bit of a lazy day but we thought that on Saturday we could go to the wildlife park? Its only a short drive from here. Does that sound good?"

"It sounds terrific," I say honestly.

I start pouring myself cereal and taking a juice box out of the fridge, "I was thinking we should definitely go scuba diving or something while we're here. I mean we've been here for a week and a bit and we haven't done anything remotely interesting. We should really be making the most of the trip."

"Well we'd like to darling but we didn't know if you'd be up to it." Mom says carefully.

"I'm up to it Mom believe me. I am more up to doing anything than I have been in my entire life." I sit down next to her and start eating.

Mom laughs, "Is that so?"

"Yes," I say cheerfully.

"Would it have anything to do with a girl called Nora?" Mom takes a sip of her coffee and looks at me over her mug.

"Maybe, maybe not." I grin at her.

Dad comes in then wearing shorts and a t-shirt. "Morning."

"Morning sweetheart. Do you want some coffee?" Mom asks.

"Yes thanks," Mom gets up to make him coffee.

"Morning Riles," Dad says sitting down next to me.

"Sleep alright?" I ask.

"Pretty good yeah. I think I've slept better here than I have ever. It gets hot here at night though don't you think?" Dad says.

"Yeah a little bit."

Mom sets a coffee down next to Dad, "I was just talking to our dear son and he thinks we need to step up or holiday game and really go out and do things."

"Bring it on then!" Dad says rubbing his hands together.

"And it all has something to do with a little lady called Nora. I'd like to meet this girl who seems to have such an impact on you." Mom says.

I see Dad look at me warily. "Riley are you sure you're ready or this girl is ready for something so heavy that's going to be ripped away from you both?"

"Dad we're not going out. I mean we did go out to dinner and we're going out to the movie tomorrow night but it's not 'going out' like on a date. We're just seeing where it goes. So there's nothing to worry about." I finish my cereal and take the bowl over to the sink.

"I just worry about you and maybe more so this poor girl. Have you told her about the cancer?"

"No," I say. I am planning to, just not yet. It's a big thing to tell someone 'hey I know we only just met but I'm dying.' I don't want to ruin anything.

"Arthur can I speak to you in the bedroom please?" Mom says giving Dad her best 'I'm serious' look.

Dad sighs, "Okay."

I watch Mom and Dad leave. A few months ago all they had to worry about was what college I was going to and had I made my bed. Now look at them. Fighting because I'm into a girl who doesn't know I'm going to die in 6 months.