Chapter 11
"Josh! I'm-I'm-"
"Wait, Maria," interrupted Josh, then rushed on, "before you say anything. I just wanted to explain why I left you the way I did. I had to leave, I had to go back to my job, and everyone was counting on me. I felt so bad for leaving the way I did. I wanted to know that you were all right, so I came back. I feel so bad. I hope you're not mad at me."
Maria stayed silent, then said, "You know what, Josh? I am, I can't believe you did that to me. I was counting on you to be there for me and all you did was leave me when I needed you most!"
Josh just looked to the ground. He expected that this would happen, but he just didn't know how to explain to her why he needed to leave. He started to think himself if it was a good reason to leave a good friend when they needed you.
"Look Maria, I'm really sorry," apologized Josh, "I just couldn't let everyone down, they were counting on me to return to the tour and..." Josh looked up at that moment and saw a faint smile on Maria's face.
"What?" asked Josh. "Do I have something on my face, in my teeth, what?" He started to feel on his face to see if there was anything that would make Maria laugh.
"Josh, I was joking, I'm not mad at you!"
"What? You're not mad?"
"Of course not! Why should I be? I mean you have your own life, it's not like your life revolves around mine or anything. I'm just really surprised that you're actually here. I thought I'd never see you again." There was a hint of sadness in her voice.
Josh walked over to Maria and gave her a big hug.
"I'm so glad you're not mad at me!" said Josh. "I was so worried about you!"
"Well, I'm glad that you're here, and I'm perfectly fine. You don't need to be worried. Actually, I have some really good news!"
"What is it?" asked Josh curiously.
"Well, I was just downstairs for my chemotherapy session, and the doctor told me that I'm in remission!"
"Maria! That's incredible news! I can't believe it!" Josh enveloped her with his arms and held her.
"I know, I can't believe it either. That's why I'm not too sick right now, my chemo wasn't too heavy. I'm being discharged next week," Maria was smiling from ear to ear, "and my hair's starting to grow back! Can this day get any better?"
"I guess not!" said Josh. He was smiling like a goof.
Josh led Maria to the window to sit down on the window seat. They began to chat and laugh like old times. Maria missed it so much. She couldn't describe the joy that she was feeling inside.
Josh told her all about the other guys, the tour, anything he could think of. He told her all about his childhood and why he was in the hospital. Oddly enough, he had never told her the real reason as to why he was in the hospital in the first place, but now, he told her everything.
Maria, who sat and listened. She listened intently to Josh, taking in every word. When he told her of his addictions, her heart went out to him. Maria knew all about how he felt, alone and afraid. She had been there too. The twosome shared something that no one will ever be able to understand, and no one will be able to break that bond.
"Maria," said Josh. "I have a question."
"Shoot," replied Maria.
"Well," started Josh. "I was wondering, if you'd like to meet the other guys. I've talked so much about you, and I'm sure they'd like to meet you."
"That sounds great," Maria replied, "but aren't you on tour?"
"Well, yeah, but you could join us for a little while."
Maria thought about it, hesitated, and said, "Well, I'll have to think about it, I mean, I just got into remission and everything."
"Sure, take all the time you need." said Josh with a smile.
Just then, Stella walked into the room. She was crying.
"Maria! Oh Maria, something's wrong with Selwyn!"
