STONE'S DIARY

Chapter 54.) May 1st

        It's been two weeks since the unbearable, disheartening news was revealed and the family has been by Renae's side as much as she would allow. It was still a shock to her and in all honesty, she wanted to be left alone as she tried to wrap her mind around things.

She was supposed to go through with the surgery but backed out of it and opted for the chemotherapy but was growing afraid of that after searching up the side effects.

Karen tried to ease her mind but Renae knew that was her job to do and ended up freaking herself out. The adults agreed not to mention it to the kids unless things worsened but that didn't stop them from asking questions and wondering.

King managed to get ahold of the oncologist that saved Karen's life, and he agreed to work with Renae, but Renae didn't feel safe at all.

If it wasn't Dajon by Renae's side, it was King. Bryson stopped by whenever he was allowed and other times just settled for calling her. Renae wasn't upset with him anymore if she was going to die, she wanted to die knowing that she at least tried with him again.

Due to Karen's recent experience, she often slept in the bed with Renae or carried small conversation with her until Ayanna and Kwan would stop by.

Ary popped over twice and then fell right back into a depression the moment her father's untimely demise finally hit her. First, her brother and now her father, all she had left was her mother and if she were to leave, Ary knew she would lose it.

"Shit! What are you doing up?" Dajon stressed as he helped Renae off of the hallway floor.

"I tripped... I'm ok," she mumbled trying to pull away but his hold on her tightened.

"You're supposed to be in bed, you know those meds they gave you strong as fuck and your first chemotherapy starts tomorrow," he reminded as he walked her into the room.

"I need t... I need to see..." pausing, she inhaled slowly and exhaled, trying to catch her breath.

"Where is Kingston?"

"Making you some oatmeal,"

Sighing, she plopped down on the bed and allowed him to help her lay back.

"You're always taking care of others, let us take care of you," he smiled faintly as he climbed in bed with her.

Grabbing her giraffe, she hugged it as her eyes grew heavy. King entered the room moments later and Dajon took that as his cue to head home.

Placing the trash can on the floor, he sat down and shook Renae gently. Her eyes fluttered open and they rested on King's and she smiled lazily.

"Hi,"

"Hey," he chuckled.

Forcing herself to sit up, her eyes twinkled and he smiled, pulling her onto his lap.

"Have you talked to the kids?" She asked after eating a few spoonfuls.

"I did before they went to school. They made some cards for you, I got 'em in tha' kitchen," he answered offering her more oatmeal but she declined.

Looking inside the bowl, seeing that it was still full, he gave her a sympathetic look and she took a deep breath before opening her mouth.

Things worked out pretty well for about five minutes until she began gagging and he had to stop feeding her.

"Keep it down Nae," he rubbed her back as she fought to keep the food from coming back up.

Her body was shaking and when she went to move off of his lap, she felt the mushy grains creeping up her throat.