Psycho But Not Really

p s y c h o - 13

"Alright, Miss, Herwok, the results are in and it looks like the cancer has spread, she is too weak, and her body cant keep up with the virus, she's needs to be hospitalised, sorry to worry you, but the treatment will cost you a lot, she'll be taken care of, the chemotherapy will hopefully work, but until then, she can't be discharged" The nurse said to me, as she filled in some paper works.

The nurse was tall, dark beautiful skin, and was young, she seemed to understand me, "Hey, why don't you go home and get some rest, I'll take care of your mother, come and visit tomorrow?" The nurse said, and pulled my hair behind my ear. I looked up at her brown eyes, they held concerned, I smiled and nodded, she gave me an encouraging smile back, and walked me to the door.

While I was exiting the hospital, Gibson walked up to me, "how'd it go?" He asked, I looked at him, and smiled.

"They said the cancers spread, and she's too weak, her system is shutting down, what if she doesn't make it? W-what if I loose her, Dad wouldn't even know!" I cried, Gibson shoved me in his chest, I felt guilty for ever thinking that Gibson was trying to replace my father

"Sssh, she's your mother, and she's strong, she'll put up a fight, she wouldn't leave you here all alone, now would she? I think not" Gibson tapped on my nose, I sniffed and hugged him.

"Thea?" A familiar dark voice was heard from behind us, I pulled away and looked to see Nate standing at there with a bouquet of flowers in his hands, and a teddy bear. I nodded at Gibson, and he walked away, I hesitated to see Nate, I didn't want him to think I was some childish cry baby.

"What's wrong..." he said, sounding uncomfortable, like he hadn't seen a girl cry, I looked up, and tried to hold a smile, but failed. I was breaking, I was falling apart, the best person in my life was just diagnosed with fucking cancer.

"mum has cancer.." I whispered, Nate gasped, and quickly set the flowers and teddy bear down, he hugged me and engulfed me with his cologne, gosh I missed his scent, his warmth, his body, his voice. I missed him. I sobbed on his chest, "I'm so sorry, Thea, I really am, I know how it feels like to loose everyone, but your mother will fight through this" his words sounded genuine, and sweet.

I pulled away, and wiped my tears.

"No more crying..." Nate sweetly said, and connected our foreheads. I giggled and nodded.

I looked at the flowers, "Meeting someone too?" I said, feeling a bit jealous. Nate chuckled, and picked them up, "Yea, my best friends girlfriend just gave birth" he said, sounding a bit anxious. I looked up at him and my eyes widened.

"Well congratulations to her!" I smiled, Nate smiled back, "Do you want to come with? I'm sure they don't mind you being there" he said, and started to walk. I stood my grounds, and he turned and raised his eyebrows, "come on" he said, and extended his hand out, I grabbed it, and walked with him.

We walked through hallways for a good fifteen minutes, until Nate admitted that we were lost, "how could you not ask?" I laughed, Nate rubbed his neck, "I thought it would be easy to find" he mumbled. I rolled my eyes, and dragged him to where I assumed was the labour rooms, I've been in clinics and hospitals all around New York and the town, so I know a good layout of every hospital.

And my assumptions were right, we walked into a room, and we heard a baby cry, "is it this room?" I asked Nate, he stayed silent, until someone spoke, "Nate, get your ass in here, before Melanie kills you" a deep voice said. Nate was quick to respond, he dragged me towards the curtains and they revealed a beautiful lady holding a cute, tiny human. I smiled when my eyes met hers.

I looked up to see who the father was, and it was the same guy I saw this morning at the elevator, "oh.. you again" he said surprised. I looked down feeling,unwelcome don't, "This is, Althea, shes one of my good friends I've met, Thea, this is Lenny, my best friend, or brother I guess, and this is his girlfriend, Melanie" I looked at them both, and smiled.

"Oh, so this is the Althea, Nate hasn't shut up about, I saw you this morning, so what did you guys do last night?" Lenny winked, my cheeks blushed red, and I hid behind Nate, Melanie chuckled, "come here, it's nice to meet you, this is my son Manny" she said holding up her son, who was sleeping soundly.

"We didn't do anything, and shut up before I headlock you and your big ass head" Nate cursed, and Melanie glared at them both. "No swearing or I'll kick you both out, and I'll spend time with Althea over here" she said sticking out her tongue. I giggled.

"Alright, do you want to hold him?" Melanie asked, but I looked at Nate, "I think Nate should first, he's closer to you guys" I said and moved out of the way, but Melanie frowned.

"No no, it's fine, you're family now, Nate's friend or not, I Never get to hang out with girls now" Melanie said, I sighed and went to go wash my hands. I came back, and sat on a chair next to Melanie's bed. She gently placed Manny, in my arms, and I instinctively rocked and cradled him, he felt so light, and fragile, tears came to my eyes, as I imagine my mother, I was still in the same building, but different room.

"Wow, Althea you good?" Lenny asked, Melanie clicked her tongue, and elbowed him, "what, I'm worried, she's crying over my son" he shrugged, I looked up, and Nate was staring at me, I smiled and shook my head, "no no, just family problems, anyways, Nate?" I asked holding up Manny.

Nate came, and held him, looking fatherly, and masculine. I realised how tiny Manny was when he was in Nate's arms. "Lenny, he looks nothing like you" Nate said, humour lit up the room, and we all laughed. Nate stood there not getting it, "what I'm serious, are you sure he's your child?" Nate said, having no clue why were laughing.

This moment made my day, I hated the feeling of laughing when my mothers life was in the edge of death.

•••

Anyone else feeling bad for Thea?

Sorry, if this chapter was a really sensitive topic, I know people are out there dealing with cancer, please don't be offended by this.