Not Always What It Seems

Alone

Carrie's POV

"Mike, you told me you'd talk to your couch. You said he'd understand!" I yelled.

"Babe, I thought he would. I'm sorry! I'll be gone for only 2 days. Then that's it, I swear." Mike said upset. "Believe me, I don't want to go but he gave me no choice. I just have to ride out these 2 days then he's giving me time off."

"Whatever. Just go." I was frustrated.

Mike left to go to New York for 2 days while Carrie would be home by herself. Charlotte was gone for part of the weekend due to a cheerleading competition that Carrie and Mike were unfortunately not able to attend.

I sat on the couch thinking as I sighed. I had to start my chemo today and I was going completely alone. I wasn't supposed to drive for my first time considering the chemo could make me tired and sick. I grabbed my keys and drove down to the clinic.

I got all set up and brought a book to read for the time I would be sitting there.

"Is this your first time?" A woman's voice spoke.

I looked over to my right, "Yeah."

"My names Evelyn. Eve for short." She gave me a smile.

"Carrie." I returned the gesture.

"What do you have?" She pried.

"Oh. Um..." I cleared my throat. "A cyst." I said keeping it short with her question.

"Are they hoping to shrink it? You know, for surgery?" Eve wondered, not minding her business.

"Yeah." I said, almost frustrated.

"I've seen people like you before. They always hope for shrinkage. Doesn't happen too often." She told me.

"I'd rather not talk about this, thanks." I didn't even bother to look at her.

The rest of my session I ignored Eve. I now knew where not to sit next time. As my session got to the end, a nurse came over to help unhook me and get me comfortable enough to go home.

"Do you have a ride Mrs. Fisher?" The nurse asked.

"I do. My husband will be meeting me out front. Thank you." I lied.

I walked outside and got in my car. I was so tired, I just wanted to go home and lay in bed.

Once I got home, I began to feel dizzy and sick. I walked upstairs and had just made it to the top before I got sick and fell onto my knees.

Charlotte's POV

"I cannot wait to tell my mom! She's going to be so excited we got first place!" I smiled.

"Well were here now. I'm sure she'll be so happy for you and the team." Coach said.

"Thanks so much! I will see you Monday." I smiled as I grabbed my bag and headed inside.

I walked up the stairs to my front door and quickly unlocked the door, eager to share the news with my mom. I walked inside and saw her on the floor at the top of the stairs.

"Mom! Oh my gosh!" I dropped my bag and ran to her. "What happened?!"

"I'm okay. Can you just help me to bed?" She asked.

My mom looked so pale and weak. I worried, "Okay, okay...."

"I'm fine. I just need to rest." Mom faked a smile.

I helped my mom up and walked with her to her bedroom. As soon as we made it in, she went into her bathroom and got sick. I watched as she emptied her stomach into the toilet, sitting on the cold floor.

"You started chemo today?" I wondered as I rubbed her back.

All my mom could do was shake her head lightly and say "yes" very faintly. She sounded as if she had no energy.

"I'm going to get you some water, okay?" I offered.

"No, I'm fine." My mom mumbled.

My mom always wanted water when she wasn't feeling well or sick. I have never seen her this weak in my life, it worried me.

"Go do your thing, Char. I'm okay. I'll holler if I need something." She told me.

"Okay." I responded as I walked out.

Instantly, I went downstairs to grab my phone. I needed to call my dad. My mom needed him and I had no idea what to do.

Mike: Hey, I was just thinking about ya! How'd cheerleading go?

Charlotte: Fine. I'm not worried about that right now, I'm worried about mom.

Mike: Whats wrong? Is she okay? She was supposed to call me when she got home.

Charlotte: Dad, I think you need to come home. She isn't well at all. I'm not sure what to do. She's so pale and weak. When I got home, she was laying on the floor by the top of the stairs. She couldn't get into her room without my help. Then when I almost got her into bed, she ran for the bathroom and she's laying on the floor. I'm so scared.

Mike: Chemo made her sick... I didn't think it would be that bad, oh my.

I heard my dad sigh loudly through the phone.

Mike: Charlotte, I will catch the earliest plane I can, okay? Keep an eye on her for me. I will be home as soon as possible. I love you.

Charlotte: I love you too, dad. Please hurry and be safe.

With that, the phone was hung up. I could hear my dad was also worried about my mom. She was not one to show her sickness. My mom always acted as if she was fine even if she wasn't and she would push through everything she could. But this was different. I could see her pain. I could see how weak she was. She wasn't strong.