Matters of the Heart

Chapter 9: I'll Tell You No Lies

Chapter 9:

I'll Tell You No Lies

They sat on Aria's porch swing as Emily explained everything she'd been through since her dad died. It was hard talking about it, but in a way...she felt a sense of relief. She didn't leave anything out. She told Hanna about losing her scholarship and dropping out of school. She told her about how she'd been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and about how when the doctors ordered some routine tests they'd found severe damage to the tissue and valves in her heart.

"So, what does it mean?" Hanna asked. "They can fix it, right? The doctors are going to fix it?"

Emily's face tensed. She was so tired of lying. The truth was she didn't know if the treatments would work, and if they failed she had no idea if she'd survive surgery. But she didn't want Hanna to panic.

"They're working on a treatment plan with me." She assured Hanna.

Hanna's lips twitched. She bit her tongue to keep from crying. She looked at Emily and put her hand on her arm.

"God, Emily..."

"Hanna, don't...okay? Don't look at me like that." Emily begged.

"I wish you would have told me sooner," Hanna sighed.

"How could I?" Emily's voice was shaking. "After everything we went through the last thing I wanted to do was give you guys more grief in your life."

"Who else knows?" Hanna asked.

"You're the first person I've told." And that was only because she didn't have a lie elaborate enough to explain what Hanna had seen.

"You shouldn't have to go through this alone." She sounded equal parts heartbroken and annoyed. "It's what we're here for. Me, Spencer, Aria, Ali...we..."

"No, Hanna..." Emily interrupted her. "You have to promise me you won't say anything to the others."

"Em, this is serious."

"You think I don't know that?" Emily asked. "Look, I've been living with this for six months. I have seen more doctors than you could possibly imagine. I know the reality of the situation. Trust me."

"What about your mom? Does she know anything about this?"

"She can't find out." Emily shook her head. "It will destroy her."

"She's your mother. Don't you think she'd want to know?"

"She worries about me if I have a cold. How do you think she's going to handle it if she finds out my heart is failing?"

"Yeah, but..."

"Don't push me on this." Emily warned her.

This was another reason she didn't want her friends to know. She felt guilty enough keeping it from her mother. She didn't need them making it worse.

"Okay." Hanna relented. She nodded in understanding. "But with everything going on I think you should stay at the loft with me and Caleb."

"I don't need a babysitter, Hanna." The minute she said it she realized how bratty she sounded. Maybe she did need a babysitter if she was going to act like such a baby.

"Of course not." She sounded sincere. "I just think that with everything happening...the last thing you need is to have to keep this façade up with your mom. So just tell her that I'm being a Bridezilla and you've been chosen to rein me in. Then you won't have to worry about having to hide this from her."