The Lucky Paw

Chapter 24

"Oh, Mom, I'm so sorry!" Katy said. "It's all right, dear. But anyway, I was checked into a hospital. The cancer was advanced, and the doctors had to remove my leg and the tumor, which is why I'm wearing a prosthetic. After my surgery, I underwent chemotherapy treatments. I was checked out afterward, but had to come back for annual checkups."

"The thieves that had robbed that bank still had not been caught. After a couple of years, however, I, sadly, went out of remission. My doctors believed that after a round of chemotherapy, I could be cured of bone cancer forever. Actually, I'm finishing up one of my last chemo sessions now." Katy nodded. "It wasn't until I was preparing to have my chemo that those thieves were apprehended. As soon as they were caught, I moved back here and checked into this hospital for the chemo. Actually, I called your house today, but you weren't home. Out searching for me, I suppose. That reminds me. Katy, I want to hear all about your life, including how you found me." Chandler said, patting the space beside her on the bed.

Katy got up from her chair. She told Chandler everything about her life so far. "By the way, did you get my package?" her mother asked with a twinkle in her eye. "You sent that? The necklace? Oh, thank you, Mom!" Chandler grinned. "It was my lucky necklace when I was growing up, too! The only bad luck it didn't protect against was death," she said.

Mother and daughter shared a huge bear hug. "I'll be finished with chemo and in recovery soon, Katy. Would your adoptive parent mind if I lived with you and her?" Chandler asked.

Katy's face lit up. "I'll ask." she said, and dashed out into the hall.

Katy went outside and explained everything to Mrs. Patterson and Anita, who agreed to rent a nice hotel for themselves near the hospital.

Katy would come to the hospital every day until Chandler was out of recovery and ready to return to her original home. Best of all, Mrs. Patterson and Anita were enthusiastic about having Katy's mother live with them!

While they made arrangements, Katy returned to her mother's side and began a long, animated conversation with Chandler Strook Hawkins, her long-lost, beloved mother.