Sincerely, Sara

Chapter 18

When I woke up again I felt a slight pressure on my hand. I squinted around the bright room.

"Mom?" I think that's who was holding my hand.

"Hi sweetie how are you doing?"

"I think that I'm okay.... What do people think happened to me? Why do they think I'm here?" I began to panic. I heard the heart monitor pick up speed.

What if my friends already knew about my cancer?

Frantically my eyes searched the room. I saw some flowers and a couple of balloons and an oversized green duck around the room. My attention was momentarily adverts from my friends knowing. "Who brought that?"

"Aria. That girl, she's sweet but she's odd." she said shaking her head and laughing quietly. She let go of my hand and went to pick up the duck "People don't really know much. We could tell them the truth...."

"NO!" She glared at me.

"If you would let me finish, we could tell them the truth, that you got a bad migraine and passed out."

"Okay, yeah that sounds good. How long was I out?"

"Today's the third day. They sedated you as soon as you came in. Until you woke up yesterday they were thinking of putting you in a medically induced coma."

"Why would they do that?"

"It's week three honey, they thought your body was shutting down. That you were... suffering." she began to cry.

"No mom. I was fine. I am fine!" I reached out to her as if I was going to hug her from all the way across the room.

Still holding the giant stuffed duck she walked over to the tiny bed. I moved over and she sat down.

"I'm so sorry Sara. I would take your place anytime, you're being so brave." she smiled weakly and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I wouldn't ask you to take my place. Ever. I'm sorry you have to deal with all of this. That you have to be here to see me..." My voice cracked on the last word. I felt tears forming in my eyes, my nose heating up.

"As long as I was with my daughter, I wouldn't miss it for the world" she smiled at me.

"You love me too much."

"I could never love you too much."

But you already do; I thought to myself. I knew she would never agree. But even if she did love me too much...

I was happy for it. I smiled as tears began to stream down my cheeks.