Something Beautiful

Chapter 1

      Isabella had heard chemotherapy is painful and really hard on you. Maybe she didn’t have to do it, what if she just lived the last year of her life to the fullest? That was what you were supposed to do wasn’t it? Besides, chemo may not even work, right? As she thought these things, her best friend leaned over and asked, “Is there something wrong? You look like you are in another world today.”

      “Oh sorry Michael, I was just thinking ‘bout some stuff.” Isabella hadn’t told anyone else about the cancer. Still, Michael was the only one who she would tell at the moment. Michael Harris was her only true friend. Others just floated in and out of her life. After receiving her test results and finding out that she had about a year to live, she looked at life differently. Once something is taken away from you, you want it more; like a future for example. Michael and Isabella had been friends since she was in sixth grade and he was in seventh. Oddly enough, they met in silent lunch, something that was out of character for both of them.

      “Well, you just looked kinda pale, but maybe it was my imagination.” Michael was a good Christian and he might support the plan that had just come into her head.

      She decided it was worth the shot and said, “Well I do have something I need to tell you but I can’t while we are in school.”

      “Well, when I drive you home today you can tell me then. Only if you want to of course.”

      “I wouldn’t have told you if I didn’t want to finish telling you, Michael.” Isabella rolled her eyes. Michael was always apologizing for unnecessary things. He just hated to offend people, but he didn’t let them walk all over him either. It was a good quality for an eighteen year old to have. Michael was a senior in high school. He had no idea what he was going to do with his life either. Probably go to some big university even though he didn’t know his major yet. Michael had his license even though Isabella didn’t. She didn’t think she needed it with him around. Besides all it would do is cause money problems; gas, repairs, insurance, and the car itself.

     After lunch, school flew by, maybe because it was May and it was almost over. Isabella met Michael in the lobby and they walked through the busy parking lot toward his truck. Michael was one of those lucky teens who got a car for their sixteenth birthday. It was a simple black Ford F-150. He got it used but it looked pretty good. Only a few scratches and one dent in the front from a deer.

    Isabella got in and shut the door. As soon as Michael was buckled she started, “Well, last week I went to the doctor. I had to be tested for leukemia. I got the results yesterday, and I have one year to live.” She stopped. Michael just stared out the window; he didn’t know what to think. She obviously wasn’t one to beat around the bush.

     “I am supposed to do chemo-therapy, and it might get better. Still, I don’t think that’s what I want to do…”

    She looked back over at Michael; his eyes were closed as he mumbled “Why not?”

    “Well, I really just want to spend my time for God. I want to take a trip to Calcutta, India where Mother Teresa used to live and work. Then, there is this Christian group that lives in the ghettos of Tennessee. She paused and, when Michael didn’t say anything, she went on, “The last place I wanna go is Manhattan with the same group.”

    All Michael said was, “Why Manhattan?”

    “Well I hope to talk to them about closing the gap between the rich and the poor.” Michael started the car and they pulled out.

    Once on the road he spoke, “Please don’t. Just do chemo, it might could help you, and then you can do all that once you’re better.” Michael was really worried now. “Please you are only seventeen, you will barely graduate! If you don’t do chemo it will be like you’re giving up! You think you have to be the hero and help everybody else, but you don’t! Help yourself before moving on to the rest of the world.” Michael was yelling now, and his eyes were welling. Isabella realized he was speeding.