A Boy Called Noah

Chapter Twenty Seven

Noah James

Noah's eyes crack open and he confusedly looks around the empty white room. "Jessie?" Jessica jolts forward from her slumped position, "Noah, are you okay? Are you in pain?" Noah shifts uncomfortably, "What happened? Why am I still here?" Jessica's face suddenly falls and she lightly takes his one hand, "Oh, sweetheart, I'll go get the doctor... He'll explain better than I can." Noah sighs and watches as his stepmother's form disappears through his closed door. He lightly rolls his neck from side to side while rolling his shoulders back into his stuffy pillow.

Moments pass in silence when suddenly the door opens and both Jessie and what appears to be the doctor walk in. "Good morning, Mr. James. You appear to be well-rested. I am unfortunately not here for chit-chat-" "Please just cut to the chase." The doctor clears his throat and straightens his back, "I'm sorry to say this, Mr. James, you're sick. Really sick. You have been diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. I'm afraid you only have a few weeks to live..." The heavy silence in the room nearly suffocates Noah and his heart monitor suddenly starts beeping faster. "Noah, please calm down. You are hyperventilating and that's not the best thing for you right now." Stars start dancing in Noah's vision and he grips his bed sheets tightly, "Thea...Where's Thea?" Jessie suddenly moves into his line of sight, "Honey, calm down. I sent her home. She's coming to see you later when you're at home."

Noah's breath starts evening out and his heart monitor gradually calms down to a normal pace. Jessica calms down and Noah finally notices that the doctor has yet to move from his previous position in the doorway.

"Mr. Jam-" "Noah. My dad is Mr. James." The doctor clears his throat, "Noah, there's not much we can do for you. There are treatments available but they will only slow it down a bit. It all depends on whether or not you want to take the treatments..." "Anything to delay it... I'm willing to do anything." The man smiles a sad and gentle smile, "The treatments will start as soon as you are ready." Noah nods his head and looks towards Jessie, "Can we go home now?" She silently nods her head and wipes a stray tear from her cheek. She and the doctor exit the door together.

Noah's throat clogs up for the first time in years. 'I'm dying...soon...I'm not ready yet...Not now...please, not yet...'

***

Vick slowly helps Noah out of his SUV. He reaches to pull the recommended wheelchair closer but Noah shakes his head and pushes it away, "Not yet...I'm going to walk while I can." Vick's heart lurches into his throat as Noah stumbles a bit over the single step in front of the house. He moves before he can process it and his hand gently guides Noah's elbow forward. Noah shrugs him off and clears his throat, "I'm fine, I can handle it." Vick reluctantly lets go of the pale arm and moves back towards the car to retrieve the wheel chair. Jessie's red and puffy eyes meet his with a sad look deep within them. She shoulders Noah's overnight bag and slams the trunk before making her way around the big black vehicle. The duo enter the house and quietly slip into their own little worlds.