Sarah's Story

Bad News

The morning after Sarah entered the hospital, Beth wakes at the same time. She showers, pulls her hair up in a ponytail and, pulls on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before heading down to breakfast.

"Good morning." Her mom greets her.

"Morning."

"I am so sorry." Her mom wrings her hands. Beth knows she wants to do something, anything, to make it better. It is in her nature to fix things and, this is not something she can just fix.

"I know mom. This is just.." She trails off, not able to finish the sentence
She sinks into a kitchen chair and, her mom slides a plate of food in front of her. She joins her at the table as she says grace. Beth asks blessing over the food and God's strength for Sarah and James.

As she eats, her mom asks her," Do you think James would like it if we made him some meals? I know he won't have time to cook."

"That would be great mom. I know he would appreciate it."

"Good. I will get the ladies on it and we will plan a menu." The ladies would be the members of Maple Street Baptist's WMU, the heart and soul of the church. They are the ones that are on call when there is a sickness, a new baby, a death. The ones who hold the hands, wipe the tears, cook the meals. Beth's mom is their president.

"Thanks mom." She heads back upstairs to brush her teeth and grab her bookbag. She stops to give her mom a hug as she heads out the door. She is already on the phone and, Beth smiles knowing that, no matter what, James and Sarah will be feed.

She heads to her car, mentally reminding herself that she doesn't have to turn left, towards Sarah's house, this morning. She normally would. It is another reminder that this isn't even close to a normal day.

With a sigh, she turns right, towards the school and, the prayer group that Josiah and she would have to break the horrific news too.

The first part of the day passes slowly. She dodges a ton of questions about her and Sarah's absences. "She was sick and I went to the doctor with her." She says again and again. Finally, it is lunch time.

She walks though the line and pick up an orange and a cartoon of milk, not really feeling hungry. As she approaches their table, she catches Josiah's eye. It is apparent that he had a rough night too. His face is haggard and a little pale. The other three, Tim, Julia, and Abe, look curiously between them. She knows they are worried and, that they are about to confirm their fears.

"Okay guys," starts Josiah after Beth joins them," I know we were all worried about where Beth and Sarah were yesterday and were Sarah is today. Well, Beth and I have really bad news about Sarah. Beth was with her yesterday when her Uncle Eric told Sarah that the lump she had discovered is breast cancer. She is in the hospital today. They are doing tests to determine how to treat it."

There is stunned silence around the table.

"Oh Lord! How in the world is she handling this?" Julia says in a think voice, her eyes full of tears.

"I don't know. I can't see it. Might not see it until eternity." Tim takes Julia's hand.

"God has something up his sleeve." Abe says, reminding them of the faith that holds them together.

"We must pray for our sister, for God's will in this situation." Beth adds.

"Yes. We must be his hands and feet to her and her daddy." Agrees Josiah. They all join hands and stand in the gap for Sarah and James. After the prayer, Josiah and Beth tell them the situation needs to be keep between them, for now. They make plans to meet at the front of the hospital after school.