An Unforeseen Turn of Events

Chapter Nineteen

Daniel drove home. After the doctor's visit, he returned to work but couldn't concentrate. Every time he tried to read, his eyes glazed over to the point where the written words were all a blur. He could imagine what his bosses thought about the news about a leave of absence.

When people spoke to him, he couldn't hear them; they had to stand in front of him to get his attention. He kept eying the phone, tempted to call Christine, but he didn't want to relay this devastating news over the phone.

When the workday was over, Daniel yanked off his tie upon entering his car and had to unbutton his shirt halfway down because he was drenched in sweat. He normally would stay later at the office to go over a few things, but he left as soon as possible today. At a red light, he glanced at himself and ran a hand through his thick hair in the rear-view mirror, wondering how much of it he would have left, if any, after chemotherapy.

Contemplating going home to tell Christine and the kids his grim prognosis got him so distracted the drivers behind him beeped their horns—the light had turned green and he hadn't moved his car.

The moment of truth has arrived, he thought glumly.

He passed his elderly neighbor with the big floppy hat tending his garden. Daniel found himself wishing that if he died, this man, who ogled at his wife whenever she passed by, could help support his family.

Now you're really getting nutty, he chastised himself. Who knows how much he's living on?

Despite his panic, he couldn't help chuckling at the thought of Christine and the elderly man being a couple.

Parking his car in the driveway, Daniel thought about the Rocky movies.

Gotta fight this thing! Get outta this hopeless attitude. Your family needs you!

He walked into his house wafting with tomato sauce. Christina was in the kitchen cooking his favorite: meat lasagna.

"Oh!" she looked up, eyes wide with surprise, her apron hugging her sexy hips. "I expected you home in an hour. How did your doctor's appointment go?"

Instead of answering, he walked over and kissed her lips, taking in her musk scent and wrapping his arms around her lithe body. They embraced for a long time. They parted when Christine heard the timer go off, signaling the lasagna was ready to be taken out of the oven.

"Hi Dad," Tim came into the room all smiles. "Thanks to you, I got a B+ on my calculus test."

Daniel viewed his tall, thin son with sandy brown hair in admiration. "It was all you, Timmy. You're the one who took the test."

"I still say if this marketing company doesn't work out, you'd make an excellent math teacher," Christine eyed him lovingly. "You know it's not too late. You'd probably only need to take a few courses to get your degree, or," she added, her eyes shining with enthusiasm, "Isn't there a test you could take to automatically prove your aptitude in math and that would be it?"

Daniel breathed in and raised his eyebrows. "I'd still have to take teaching courses. Tell you the truth, I'd rather work in an office and just tutor my twins. With them, it's a labor of love."

Tim turned away, embarrassed by his father's show of affection.

"About the doctor's. . ." Christine began.

"Guess what, everybody?" Trudy came in still in her cheerleading uniform and carrying pom-poms. Her face was awash in excitement. "I've been promoted to head cheerleader."

"That's fantastic, honey! We've got to celebrate!" Daniel sized up her tall thin frame, just like her mother's, her long blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. He often wondered if she should forego college and start modeling.

Christine hugged and kissed her. "I'm so proud of you, sweetie! Wait 'til BC hears about your accomplishment!"

Trudy shrugged her shoulder. "Oh Mom, do you think BC even cares about something like this?"

"Do they care?" Daniel asked his daughter. "Of course, they care about a potential student demonstrating leadership abilities. Just keep your grades up and you'll be a shoo-in, Trudy!"

The oven timer buzzed a second time.

"Dinner's ready," Christine popped up to take out the lasagna and place a huge salad bowl on the table.

It saddened Daniel seeing his wife's glowing expression and his children's great news when he had terrible news for them. But right now, he wanted the family to eat and enjoy. He tried to ignore the tightness in his chest and strove to maintain a cheerful facade.

"We'll talk about the doctor's appointment later then," Christine whispered in his ear.

"Yes," Daniel nodded as he took a seat at the table. It was the last thing he wanted to think about now. He wanted more than anything to enjoy his family and the children's good news.

"Dad, when I'm in college, I'm not going to be a math major, but I'll still need your help from time to time. I'll probably need to take some math courses."

Hearing talk about the future made his throat tighten. He was about to swallow meat and pasta but they remained lodged in his throat. His face turned red and he grabbed his throat.

"Daniel!" Christine screamed. Her hands shaky, she filled his glass with water, quite a bit spilling over unto the wood table, and handed it to him.

Grabbing the glass, he managed to finally wash it down.

"Daddy, are you all right?" Trudy screamed, tears in her eyes.

Tim was already refilling his glass.

"Don't worry! It washed down," he sputtered.

"Are you sure, Dad?" Tim asked, studying him.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," he said, nodding.

Trudy got up and rubbed his shoulders, "You're sure, Dad?"

Christine, who by now had regained her composure, said, "I guess we're giving Dad so much exciting news all at once that we've got to let him settle down, relax, and eat." She got up and rubbed the surface of the table with a hand towel. "After all, Dad had a very hectic day himself."

For the rest of the meal, the family ate in silence. The only remarks were requests to pass a dish or to remind Daniel to chew slowly.

Feeling like he ruined their great day, he ate while giving them reassuring smiles whenever they stared at him in concern.

After they finished eating, Daniel cleared his throat and said, "I want everyone to come sit in the living room. There is something I need to tell you."

Tim and Trudy looked at him and then at each other. Christine put a hand to her mouth. "Is this about your doctor's appointment?" she whispered.

"Yes, it is. I want to be open and honest with all of you."

"I'm afraid I don't have such good news to tell you," he said once they all sat down. "I have leukemia."

He saw all their jaws drop and their faces turn pale. No one said spoke as each one absorbed the news, sitting as still as statues.