Nora

Chapter 21: A Weakening of the Heart

Monday morning I awoke a little breathless. I didn't want to think anything of it because I had planned to spend the day with Nora (especially since we were now a couple or "romance companions"). We were going to go to Sea World and just be two normal teenagers. But of course stupid cancer had to intervene. 

I had a shower and got dressed, feeling more and more like the world was spinning. After I was presentable I skipped breakfast because I didn't think I'd be able to keep it down. Mom and Dad watched me carefully, commenting on the lack of colour in my face. I made out like it was nothing but if I'm being honest I did not feel well at all. 

I was supposed to pick Nora up but I was getting worried. If I was having trouble walking how was I going to be able to drive? 

As I went to get the car keys from the kitchen I collapsed. I honestly don't remember anything after that. Mom and Dad took me to the hospital and I woke up at three in the afternoon in a hospital bed with a lump on my head, a drip in my arm and wearing nothing but one of those awful hospital gowns. Mom and Dad were by my bed looking concerned. I blinked a few times trying to figure everything out. Honestly my brain was working at half its usual speed. I couldn't process much.

"Riley?" Mom had said softly.

"Hey bud." Dad had added.

I think I blinked a little bit more and said "Hey."

"How are you feeling?" Mom asked stroking my forehead.

"A little foggy. Why am I in the hospital?" I asked. 

"You fainted this morning. It's nothing to worry about we just have to be more careful with you. The doctor can explain it better." Mom explained.

So about five minutes later a female doctor (I will not lie she was quite attractive) came in to inform me about what was going on me with and good old cancer. She was one of those doctors that loves to use medical terminology so I'll simplify.

I collapsed because my heart is getting weaker, it's no big deal like I'm dot dying any faster or anything but it is a sign that death is coming (she didn't say that but that's just what it feels like to me). I have to take some tablets, I wasn't on any medication before but this doctor (who has consulted with my doctor back home) thinks this will help. Oh and I also have to see this Australian doctor once a week. She was horrified 1. That I'd been allowed to travel and 2. That I wasn't being seen regularly. I'm also not allowed to drive anymore. 

I had to stay overnight which sucked, hospitals suck in general actually. Nora also wasn't allowed to see me, only family. I wasn't terribly upset about this because the thought of my new girlfriend seeing me hooked up to tubes and all pathetic and helpless was not ideal. It would just be another reminder that she's healthy and I'm not. That I'm on death row and she’s got a long life to live.

So now I'm at home watching Spider-man (Andrew Garfield version). I'm still on bed rest until tomorrow (at my mother’s demand not my doctors request). I've only been able to get down a little bit of juice. I'm just not hungry. My doctor said I should be feeling fairly okay again by tomorrow or sooner because of the tablets but at the moment I feel like death (no pun intended).

I'm feeling fairly sorry for myself if I'm being honest. 

At around five O'clock Mom knocks on my door. She peeps her head through when I say she can come in. "Riley I have a visitor for you."

Visitor? "Who is it?"

Mom opens the door wider to reveal Nora. "Me. Who else would it be unless you have someone else on the side? And if you do I'm going to have to go and skin her."