The First Catch

Chapter 28: Hauntings From The Past

It had been a good hour since Melanie had been passed out.  Anthony had managed to lift her up into his arms and carry her to his bed and placed the covers over her.  He then sat on the edge of the bed, watching her closely.  He was worried for awhile and wondered perhaps if he should call the doctors.  But he hated them, and he didn't want to be anywhere near them, but for Melanie's sake, maybe. He pulled out of his thoughts as he heard her starting to stir but not waking up.  He narrowed his eyes a little, feeling rather worried.  Come on Mel wake up!

Flashback:
The past couple weeks, Melanie hadn't been feeling very well, but just like Paul, she was stubborn, and kept claiming it was just the flu.  Paul had mentioned a few times that she should go to the hospital to get checked out.  He had somehow finally managed to persuade her after a week, that she should make an appointment.  Melanie glanced at the clock taking a deep breath.  She was nervous.  What if something was wrong.  She jumped at the sound of the phone.  She pulled it out of her pocket and saw that the name on the screen was Paul's.  She bit her lip afraid that something was wrong.

"Paul?  Hey!  I was just on my way to the appointment I'll.."  But she stopped mid sentence when she heard him start to speak.  "I am so so sorry Melanie.  They need me." Melanie sighed.  "Paul you promised you'd come with!" Lately, Paul had been quite busy. He and Melanie had barely gotten to spend any time together. But he had promised they'd have some time set aside for the two of them on Saturday. Just the two of them. "I can't be there without you!  Perhaps we should schedule at a time you can be there."

"No Melanie, go to the appointment.  I am so sorry.  But I am the only one who can do this surgery.  I will make it up to you I promise!"  Melanie took a deep breath.  "You better."  She grumbled.  "Will I see you tonight?"  She asked.  Paul smiled though she couldn't see it.  "I should be home before you go to sleep.  You can tell me how the appointment went then.  I am sure everything is fine.  It's just as you said.  It's probably the bug.  The flu going around.  Or maybe some allergies.  But I still think you should keep the appointment.  That way you can at least get some medicine to make you feel better."  Melanie remained quiet still seeming to be unsure. "What if.."  But Paul stopped her.  "Melanie.  Don't worry so much.  It will be fine, and I will see you when I get home.  I have to go now okay?  I love you."  Melanie smiled feeling a bit better at his words.  He did always seem find a way to make her feel better, more calmed.  "I love you too."

Once Melanie saw she needed to go, she grabbed her keys and made her way to the hospital and got checked in.  She was very nervous, and was wishing that Paul was there with her.  For some reason, she didn't believe him, that it was just the flu, or allergies season.  For some reason, she could sense it was something more than that, but she didn't know what.  She glanced up as she heard the doctor call her name and followed him to the room.

When Melanie had heard the news she spaced out.  She hadn't been expecting it at all.  She wasn't sure what kind of answer she was going to get, but she didn't think it would be this.  Taking everything in, she rushed out of the room.  When she finally exited out into the fresh air she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

It took her a moment but finally it began to register. She gave a small smile and suddenly couldn't wait until later, when Paul would be home and she could tell him.  She was also very glad and relieved that it wasn't anything bad, as she had previously thought it would be. Melanie made her way back to the house.  She was nervous for later but excited at the same time, for when Paul would return home.  She had to figure out the perfect way to tell him. 

As the evening hours hit, Melanie looked over at the clock.  It was only an hour before Paul would be coming back home now.  If things went well.  She made her way over to the table where she had placed the test results.  Hoping that he would see them there when he came home.  Smiling a little as she saw the results again.  She couldn't wait to tell Paul.  At the sound of the phone ringing, she pulled it from her pocket and answered it without even looking at the ID number.  She just assumed it would be him. "Paul!  I can't wait until you get back!  I!.."  She stopped mid sentence however when she heard an unfamiliar voice speaking on the other end, that wasn't him. The person had introduced themselves as the receptionist at the hospital Paul had worked at.

She turned pale hearing what they suddenly were trying to tell her.  She quickly shook her head.  "What?  N n no!  No!!"  She let the paper with the results, and her phone she was holding fall onto the kitchen floor.  She fell to her knees burying her face in her hands, as the room began to spin, then her world went completely black...