CASCADING

DESPONDENT CHAPTER 6

"Good afternoon. This is Dr. Oneal how are you?" Dr. Oneal considered June like family of sort, she looked after most of the women in her family; June's mother Marva, Aunt Shelia before she migrated to the U.S. and her stepmother Cindy who was recommended to her as the best. So this would make June like a granddaughter, some what.

"Well, um... I am not too sure, you tell me." June sat clutching the phone receiver so tight that her knuckles hurt. Her heart raced and she felt nauseous, she hoped that Dr. Oneal had positive news for her.

"The results from the tests are in and I would like to schedule an appointment, to discuss the details of the tests that were taken."

"Can you tell me anything now? Am I dying?" June swallowed hard and held her breath.

"Dying? Goodness no. Why would you think you are dying?" Dr. Oneal's voice was soft and calming just like an endearing grandmother. "Listen your cells are fine, you have no cancer cells that isn't for you to worry about." June let out a sigh of relief. "On the other hand, we need to have a chat about the ultrasound. Normally you wouldn't have to wait this long, but I had my reasons considering the results from the pap smear."

"What about the ultrasound? Should I be worried about it?" June felt nature calling as her stomach ached and her head spun.

"Do you have time tomorrow to pay me a visit? I would have seen you today but I usually head over to the hospital on Thursdays in the afternoon for my rounds."

"Uh, yes tomorrow is good. What time should I come?" At this point June was beginning to lose hope of walking away with all good new.

"The earlIer the better. I usually open for 8:30, but if you can get here for 8 0'clock we can chat freely without any interruptions."

"Oh ok, 8 o'clock is good, I'll see you then." June's hands shook as she hung up the phone. She felt as though someone punched her in the stomach. She stood up placing palms down on her desk trying to gain balance and composure.

"So...how did it go?" Laura spoke slowly trying not to alarm her.

June gripped her stomach as anxiety took over. "I don't know ..."

"How do you mean you don't know?" Laura went over to her.

"My, stomach ...it really hurts." She staggered trying to get to the door. Laura caught her arm and guided her out the office.

The two bumped into Scott in the walkway just outside June's office.

"What do you want Scott?" June tried to stand straight amidst the pain. "I can't talk to you right now." She stepped passed him but he held her back putting his hand on her shoulder.

Laura tensed but June signalled her. "Oh I see, so is this how you are going to be? Are you going to avoid me all the time? I thought we agreed to be friends." He spoke without looking at her.

"Scott, now is not a good time. Ok?" She attempted to move but he blocked her path. "Scott..."

"C'mon June, really now. Are you not going to talk to me? You haven't said anything to me the entire day, let alone look in my direction."

Laura rolled her eyes impatiently, held her boss's shoulders and guided her away from whom she believes is the biggest jerk of the century. June followed her lead to the bathroom.

"Hey! I wasn't done talking to you!" He shouted after them. Laura shot him a look that made his insides coward. He recoiled waving a fist in the air. Laura tensed back at him but June squeezed her arm. Scott stepped back in retreat; losing his balance he almost knocked over the decorative plant that stood by June's office door.  "I really don't like that little girl." He muttered and stormed off.