"Next test will be in one month." The doctor gave a fake smile.
"Yeah thanks." I helped my little sister off the table. She waved by to the receptionist at the front desk as we left the hospital.
"Can we stop for ice cream." She asked as she skipped ahead.
"Anna you ask this every time just for once can we go..."
"Pleaseeeeee!!!" She begged me.
"Fine." I caved again. It was nothing new. I caved every time. I couldn't help but say yes to her. How can you even say no to 9 year old girl with cancer? Especially with such a little thing like ice cream.
"Go ahead get in the car." She got in the back behind the passengers seat. I turned to look at her as if I was asking where she wanted to go.
"Same as always duhh." She knew me so well. "Radio please." Anna was demanding but she had a way of bossing you around. It was like you were respectfully being bossed around by a 9 year old girl. Not just being told what to do.
I started the car up and turned the radio on. Instantly she was singing along bobbing her head to the rhythm. I smiled and laughed a little pulling out of the parking lot. I drove down the road with my arm dangling out the window. I felt like a Cali girl, I knew I wasn't but a little pretending never hurt anyone. My thoughts changed quickly. They made their way from California to Cancer. I was so caught up I couldn't even hear Anna saying my name.
"ASHLYN!" I turned quickly to her.
"Well watch the road!"
I snapped my head back to the road in front of me. "Shit I missed my turn."
"Now your catching on."
I glanced at her through my mirror. "Watch yourself."
She gave a smirk and turned her head to the window. I took the next turn and focused on getting us there. I didn't want to make Kendall wait too long. Seconds later we were pulling into the ice cream shop. Kendall was in her car. Her head was down and her brown hair was falling to the sides concealing her sunglasses. I turned the car off and got out knocking on her window. She looked up at me. She turned off her car and got out.
"Anna!"
"Kendall!" Anna ran to her.
She had her arms spread out wide just like Kendall. Anna found Kendall's waist and wrapped her arms around it.
Anna gave the best hugs and I think part of why her hugs were so sincere and passionate was because she didn't ever know when she would get another. She lived her life in the moment, something so many of us can't do. Anna learned that life doesn't always accommodate to your needs but rather just be prepared for it. Love the little things and live life now. Don't press on and rush through. You could miss something, maybe an extra hug that you will never get back.
Anna released Kendall and walked into the store.
"Can I get... " She was asking for permission to get something.
"Yes." I answered before she could finish. Kendall looked at me giving me those sad eyes. They were telling me how sorry and upset she was about everything. I gave them back. I let her know that it was ok and things would get better. It wouldn't be easy, but it would be worth it.
We got our ice cream and sat down at a table outside. I saw a few hot boys pass and I gave them a wink. Anna saw me flirting with them and of course had to make a comment.
"Get it!"
"Don't even say that your 9." I said looking at her confused.
"Well go get a date you need it."
She wasn't lying I did need a date. Truth was I just didn't want a boyfriend because I was afraid that it would take attention away from Anna. I was worried I wouldn't be able to spend as much time with her if I had a boyfriend.
"Both of you need a date." Anna flicked her spoon between me and Kendall.
"It wouldn't hurt." Kendall pointed out. "He better be hot and worth my time."
We all laughed a little and finished up our ice cream with a lovely conversation about Hollister models.
About 20 minutes later we were all getting in our cars.
"Kendall come over tonight?" I asked from my car.
"Yeah sounds good! Text me." She backed out first and I followed.
We passed the hospital on the way back.
"Theres my house." Anna said sarcastically, but her voice wasn't just sarcasm. It was sadness, and worry. It seemed as if her voice spoke wisdom and aged too quickly. It was more than just a comment, it was a story.
