73 Memories

The Seventy-First Memory

Do you remember the day it was so bad that I couldn't leave the bathroom? If I tried to stand up, I'd throw up. You had to stay home that day because Emlyn couldn't be with me. She had to write her articles. I thought I was going to die that day.

I asked you to go get Chinese food because I really wanted some. You didn't want to leave, but no one can resist a dying girl for long.

When I heard the car pull out of the driveway, I called Dr. Halk.

"Hello?"

"Oh, hey! It's the one who's going to die soon. Parker. I had a question about the tumor?"

"Go on,"

"Do you think that the reason I have a photographic memory is because of the tumor?"

He thought about it for a while before answering. "I think it's possible. If the tumor is pressing on that part of your brain, it could be. It really depends on where the tumor is pressing on your brain, and I couldn't tell you that without looking at the scans. I can check and tell you if you'd like?"

"Oh, no, that's okay."

I hung up then, not really caring that it was rude. Because I knew in my heart that the tumor was indeed causing my photographic memory. I didn't need him to prove it. I'd always been really bad at math as a kid, but all of a sudden in fourth grade I started getting A's on every single assignment.

And that made me wonder- did my mother have a tumor, too?

When you got back, bringing the takeout into the bathroom and sitting with me, I told you, "I want you and Em to take Laura in for a brain scan."

You looked up at me with a curious expression. "Because I think my mom might have had a tumor, too."

You nodded, understanding where I was coming from on this, and I knew you wanted to be sure too, now that the thought was in your head. "I'll set up an appointment."

"Can you go get my laptop?"

You got back up, heading into the bedroom and coming back with what I'd asked for. I put on a movie, and smiled, making the best of the situation. "This is one of the best cartoons I've watched in a while," I told you as it started.

"Disney just keeps surprising me," you said, opening your takeout container.

"I'm not saying it's better than High School Musical, but it's not bad at all."

"The day they make a movie better than High School Musical is the day pigs fly."

I laughed and laid my head on your shoulder, enjoying lunch as best as I could on a bathroom floor.