Taylor for the Night

Chapter 7 Bad News

<<<CHARACTER PICTURE: TAYLOR>>>

The next morning I awoke to Grace violently shaking me. I opened my eyes and immediately realized that I was in her bedroom, not the study. I could have sworn we slept in the study, not in her room.

"Taylor I'm so glad you woke up! Its 11am and I was afraid you went into a coma or something horrible like that from all those migraine pills you take!" Grace yelled as she pulled me into a hug.

"Really, it's that late?" I asked shocked by this bit of news.

I guess those migraine pills were starting to get to me. I better stop taking them before I get addicted to them like I did with the dieting pills.

I tried to stand up, but I was having major pain in my abdominal area. I could barely walk I hurt so bad. '

That's really weird,' I thought to myself.

"Well, let's roll up our sleeping bags," I suggested to Grace.

She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could even get a word out, her stomach let out a long and loud gurgle. We both started laughing again and I said, "And maybe we should go get some breakfast."

We kept laughing and started rolling up our sleeping bags. My laughter was cut short though when I saw Grace had a purple sleeping bag and NOT a pink one. I suddenly remembered that last time she told me she had had to replace her old sleeping bag cause it was getting too worn out.

I was positive though that I had seen her use it last night, in the study. Yet this morning she had a purple one and we were in her bedroom. I guess that pill really messed with my mind last night. I decided to push my thoughts aside and stumbled down stairs to help Grace and Mrs. Jones make breakfast.

The rest of the weekend I still had major pain in my lower abdominal area, but I wasn't due for my period for another week or so. I guess I was just getting early cramps, that or I had the flu or something. Whatever it was, I wasn't worried.

On Monday, I got on the bus and sat down by Kimmy, afraid of what she would say.

"Is it true that you kissed Josh on Friday, or is it just a rumor?" She whispered to me her eyes searching my face for an answer.

"He did kiss me on the cheek Friday, but I had nothing to do with it. In fact, I was so angry I stomped on his foot and ran off. I promise you that I would never try to steal the guy you like. Besides, you know I really do dislike Josh." I replied calmly, weighing all my words carefully. Thank God the hickie was gone, or this conversation could be going way worse.

Kimmy let out a huge sigh and pulled me into a hug and whispered, "I believe you T. Besides, you're my BFF and I can't stay mad at you!"

We hugged again and I knew it was all behind us.

At the next stop Grace got on and smiled at me, followed by Josh. Surprisingly, Josh completely ignored me and looked Kimmy up and down before saying,

"Hello Kimmy. Damn, do you look sexy today. Let's talk at lunch, ok Hot Stuff?"

"Okkkk" giggled a blushing Kimmy.

Kimmy turned and smiled at me, but I could only halfheartedly smile back. As much as I love Kimmy and want her to be happy, I don't think Josh is right for he at all. I'm afraid he'll hurt her, and I mean more than just a broken heart.

At lunch, Kimmy and Josh announced that they were officially dating. I don't know what happened or why they got together so fast, but I was glad he was leaving me alone. I guess maybe he has just been acting like he likes me, to get to Kimmy. I don't know, this whole thing has me really confused. While all the "squad" was congratulating them, I snuck off to see Grace. I know this is the day of the week she eats with Alex, but I just couldn't stay with the girls any longer.

I saw Alex and Grace talking under the tree and I walked over.

"Hey guys mind if I-" I immediately stopped when I saw Grace was crying.

"Grace what's wrong!" I gasped dropping down next to her on the grass.

I wonder if she was upset about Josh dating Kimmy.

"It's it's it's Josh....... Mom found drugs in his room this morning..... And not his prescription ones." Grace let all the tears fall then and Alex and I held her in a group hug.

We all three then prayed together over Josh and that her parents would have wisdom over what to do.

The rest of lunch Alex and I tried to comfort Grace the best we could, but it didn't do much. The bell rang and we all headed our separate ways and I thought to myself,

"The week can't get much worse."

Boy, was I wrong.

On the bus, Josh took my seat by Kimmy and I was stuck by all the emotional freshmen girls whose lives were supposedly "over" cause their "dream guy" was taken. I just put my headphones in and tried to drown them out.

The rest of the week went the same way, being basically ignored by Kimmy and her new boyfriend and only getting to see Grace at lunch. It was probably the lousiest week ever.

That Friday my mom came to the school and picked me up, which is so not usual. When I asked her what's wrong she said, "Oh, I just wanted to have a girls' night. You know take you out to dinner, and maybe a movie."

I dropped it there, but I could tell by her eyes that something was wrong. Sure enough, I was right.

After dinner and a movie, we went home and I headed to my room to do homework. A couple minutes later my mom came in and sat down.

"Taylor, we need to have a talk. I've got some really bad news...." She managed to choked out and I could tell she was holding back tears.

I slowly reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Taylor you know how I had my annual checkup last week? Well the doctor called and said that there was something off with my breasts. So, I went back in today for another test and....and..... I have breast cancer." My mom began to sob uncontrollably.

"Oh my Gosh!!! Mom!!!" I cried out and I hugged her close. "Everything will be ok, Mom. You...you can get treatment and and and you'll be better in no time. I'll also get a job so you can work less. Everything will be fine. Also---."

"Taylor." My mom interrupted.

"Yes Mom." I replied trying not to cry, trying to remain strong for my mom.

"It's Stage 4. I only have a couple months at the most left to live."

And that's when the cold truth hit me. MY MOM WAS GOING TO DIE......