An Unforeseen Turn of Events

Chapter Thirty-Six

The next day, Daniel took a blood test at Dr. Sherman's office before heading into work. He breathed in the aroma of fudge wafting through the air as he was typing out his report on the computer. It permeated the whole office. Employees worked with smiles on their faces and occasionally joked.

Fudge, Etc. had signed on as a new client and they brought the employees' sample fudge and chocolates. Daniel had never eaten so much chocolate at one time—dark fudge, vanilla fudge, caramel chocolates, butter-pecan chocolate, strawberry-covered chocolate. He felt a happy sensation spread all over his body and mind as he sampled each one. He remembered reading that chocolate contained flavonoids, which contributed to feelings of happiness. It was certainly the best fix for him after telling his parents the bad news last night.

So it's true! Chocolate really makes people feel good, he thought. I ought to do this every day!

Then he remembered Christine telling him that if someone desires chocolate, they should eat a dark chocolate square every day. Dark chocolate is much healthier and less fattening. Daniel stared at his waist. He had been losing weight due to leukemia.

This is the perfect solution! He marveled. I'm sure Christine will forgive this indulgence.

"Hey Dan, you want another piece? This is a dark chocolate coconut square," Richard his co-worker said, reading the box map beside Daniel's computer as he was working and enjoying each bite of chocolate bliss.

"No thanks. I don't want too much of a good thing," Daniel told him.

"I know what you mean. If I eat any more of this stuff, I swear I'm gonna puke," Richard said smiling. "But I've got to admit it's giving me a lift. I thought chocolate only did that for women."

Daniel chuckled.

"So how's everything going, Dan?"

Daniel's smile vanished.

Damn! For a few minutes I forgot all about the leukemia.

He tried to unclench his teeth and attempted to smile once again.

"I-I just found out I have a serious illness and will need to take time off," he said, coughing into his hand. "It's one of those things."

"Cancer?" Richard's eyes bulged as he spoke. There was no longer a trace of humor on his face."

"Leukemia," Daniel answered in an undertone.

Richard touched his shoulder. "Feel better soon, buddy. I had an uncle who died of leukemia thirty years ago, but I've heard they made great strides in treatment since then," he said somberly. "When will you take your leave?"

"It looks like by the end of this week."

Richard's face paled and Daniel could see he couldn't wait to get away.

"I'll be praying for you, man," he said and gave Daniel a pat on the back before turning away with his pained expression.

As Richard walked away, it took Daniel a few moments to fight his feelings of doom before resuming his typing. The rest of the chocolates were left untouched next to his computer.

Daniel resumed typing. After a few minutes, he stopped.

Will I be back here again? Will I be able to function like I did before I got sick? Or will this company and every other employer think of me as too risky to hire?

His ringing cell interrupted his ponderings.

"Mr. Goldberg," Dr. Sherman's serious tone startled him.