Pay the Price

Chapter Nine: Out It Comes

Dad drove Mack and I behind the ambulance to the hospital. For all I know, Mom is still unconscious.

"Dad, do you know what it might be?" Mack asked, fidgeting in the back seat.

Clyde shook his head. "No, she just started acting like this a while ago. It might be something from work. I'm sure she'll be fine."

I wasn't so sure.

-

We rushed into the hospital. Of course, we weren't allowed to see her in the Emergency Room, so we waited outside of it. I would've started reading a magazine but I was too nervous. Nothing like this ever happened to Mom.

"Can I get you anything?" A nurse with the tag; Anne approached us.

Mack and I shook our heads, but my dad stood and escorted the nurse away from us. I could see him whispering and the nurse shaking her head. They dispersed and Dad sat down again.

Clyde flipped out his phone and dialled a number.

"Hello?" There was a muffled voice on the other end every few seconds. "Come home, I will call the school. Don't worry, just get here as quickly as you can." He hung up. "Gavin's coming home."

I widened my eyes. "What? Why, is it bad?"

Clyde sighed. "Well, the nurse says it doesn't look good and I want Gavin to be here. He will be here in a couple of hours, from Westmoor."

I slouched in my chair and finally gave in to a magazine with the cutest dress on the front. Mack played on his iPod and Dad paced by the front desk.

That was basically my Sunday.

Gavin arrived four and a half hours later, searching the hospital for Dad. "Dad?" He rushed over and gave each if us a hug. "I can't wait until you move to Westmoor so I can see you all the time!"

I smiled happily. Some people say they hate their brother, but I love mine! I always miss him when he's away and when he's here, I can't spend enough time with him. Gavin just seemed to make all the worries in the world disappear.

You know what; that whole speech sounded like I was talking about the love of my life. Maybe Gavin was, but in a different way.

"Jenny!" He squeezed me. "How are you?"

I sucked in some hair. "Right now, I can't breathe." He chuckled and let me go. "I missed you, Gav."

Gavin said hello to Mack and they did a hand shake that seemed way too confusing for my liking, then Gavin wrapped his arm around my neck. "Wanna take a walk?"

As we walked through the halls I examined Gavin's figure. He's so grown up; dark brown hair and green eyes, his smile perfectly white. He was wearing a pair of basketball shoes and plaid shorts.

"So, what happened?" He asked as we made it to the cafeteria.

I explained how Mom had been throwing up in the morning and when I got home from school, how she had fainted. "Dad said the nurse said it wasn't looking too good. I just hope she's okay."

A tear escaped my eye and Gavin hugged me. "It's going to be alright, I'm sure Mom's going to be fine."

I pulled away. "Why does everyone keep saying that?! How do we know she's alright. I won't believe it until I see her." I stormed to an empty chair.

Gavin followed me quietly. "I know this is hard, but we don't even know what happened. She could've just caught the flu. Jenn, be positive."

He walked in the direction of the food so I assumed he would be having some lunch. In fact, I was getting hungry.

We sat down with our trays of... food. It was silent before Gavin asked, "how's school?"

I sighed, knowing I would have to explain everything. "Karen is dating the quarterback, Lane. I got kicked of the cheer squad because I won't be here for regionals, and I went on a date with Jack, but I told him off because..."

I felt like hitting myself. How did I not see this coming?! I'm probably going to have to tell Gavin about my lie. But he's going to make me tell the truth and everyone will hate me!

"Because...?" Gavin waited.

I took a deep breath so I could go fast. "ItoldeveryoneDadownedSportTechsonoweveryonethinksI'mrichsoifoundoutJackonlywentoutwithmebecauseofthat." I gulped two or three times before looking up at Gavin.

Gavin was sipping his juice box. "Okay."

I widened my eyes in shock, then realized what he was trying to do. He was going to guilt me into doing the right thing. I chuckled. "I see what you're doing here, you're trying to let me do this on my own. You want me to tell everyone that Dad doesn't actually own Sport Tech. Well, thank you."

Gavin smiled. "Actually, I had no idea what you said, but you just told me. And yes, I do think you should tell the truth. But, you're right, and I will let you make the right decision on your own, and it looks like you know what that is." He grabbed his tray and left.

My phone beeped in my pocket. It was from Dad.

Dad: Come back to the room.

I glanced to where Gavin was and he must've got the text, too, because he was looking at me. We hurried back to the room.

-

"Dad, what is it? Did we find out what happened?" I asked, with Gavin at my side.

Dad shook his head sadly. "No, the tests aren't back, but she's allowed visitors, so I thought you might want to talk to her."

I nodded, and let Gavin go first. Mack had just come from the room and Dad had also been in.

It seemed like hours before Gavin came out. I jumped from the chair and swung open the door. Mom was laying in the hospital bed with wires attached to her and a monitor beeping annoyingly beside her.

"Hey Mom." I tiptoed in and clicked the door shut behind me. "How are you feeling?"

She tried to laugh but it came out in a hoarse cough. "I've been better. I'll be fine."

I sighed. "I hope so. Mom, what even happened? Do you remember?"

She shook her head. "The last thing I recall doing is phoning your father that the hospital let me come home since I wasn't feeling well."

I nodded, remembering Dad already being on the way when I called him. Leslie had fainted when she was on the phone.

I was about to continue but a nurse knocked and opened the door. "Excuse me, we need a moment."

I dipped my head. "I love you, Mom."

-

The nurse came out, not happily and approached Clyde. They talked in private before coming to Mack, Gavin, and me. "Kids, we're not moving." Dad announced.

The three of us smiled. "Yes! Thanks so much, Dad! Why, though?"

He stared at the ground. "We have to stay, for your mother. She has cancer."

.....

Guys, I hope that was alright. I was actually getting sad during this chapter. It's good that Jenn isn't moving, but now Leslie has cancer! Keep reading!