From the Other Side (NaNoWriMo)

Chapter 1

"Your mom called me earlier, she said you might need someone to talk to. Do you want to talk?"

My mind drifts to the hospital room that is sure to be empty soon, then take a sip of my tea. "I'm not sure I'm ready to say it. If I do, then it might come true."

"Well, there's no harm in saying that." He looks down and I can imagine the gears turning in his head, trying to formulate what to say next.

"Alex, we've known each other since we were kids. Just because you went on and fulfilled your dreams to be a psychiatrist doesn't mean that you can psychoanalyze me on a whim."

He stops for a second. "Look, I came here because we're friends, not because I'm using my super-secret therapy powers on you." The coffee sitting in front of him is slowly cooling, no longer steaming like it was a few minutes ago. "I know you feel like you want to shut the world out, that solitude might seem like the safest place, but saying something, anything, is always better. It doesn't have to be a lot. Anything can help as long as you want it to."

"I've been told that so many times, but I'm not sure how much I believe it yet." I brush a lock of hair behind my ear. "I'm sorry you use up time from your busy schedule. I know you have more important patients than an old acquaintance with a dying grandmother."

"I can assure you, even though it might not seem like it, every problem is the same size. It's the fact that you're not only struggling with it, but that you're also a friend that makes it worth my time." He takes a long sip of his now lukewarm latte. "You have my number, right?"

"Yeah, my mom made sure I had your new one before I left," I look over at him. "Why?"

"Rhea, I know a good amount of people say this, but if you ever need anything, I'm a phone call away. Even if it's in the middle of the night, I'll answer."

I take the last sip of my tea, then mumble, "I'll make sure to remember that." Setting the empty cup on the bar top, I grab my bag and swing it over my shoulder. "Thanks for coming, but I think I should get back to the hospital."
He nods and stands. "Honestly, Rhea. You might not remember us as friends, but I do. You were always the nicest person I knew and if helping you through this repays even the smallest amount of kindness you showed to me in high school it will be worth it."

I give him a sort of half smile. "I'll call you later." I watch him sit back down and order another latte as I walk out, closing the glass door behind me.

***

The summer air might have been the cause, but once I was back in my grandmother's room the air seemed colder. It felt as if the temperature had dropped ten degrees since I went to see Alex.

Grabbing one of the hard chairs with a cushion that never seems to work, I drag it over from the wall to beside the bed. I set my bag on the ground and quietly watch the doctors and nurses go about their business outside as they pass the doorway. I can see they hold the weight of every patient on their shoulders, knowing that it could be their help that could be the final help that they need; that their work could also be what fails to help as well.

I never thought I would identify with them. How could I? I just finished a Bachelor's in studio art; life was supposed to be easy past that point. I wasn't supposed to be facing the harsh reality that the woman who practically raised me was quickly being taken from me.

"Rhea, come here." Maw-maw's voice breaks through my train of thought.

"I'm here," My voice threatens to break as I hold back tears at her state. "What do you need? Do you need the nurse or a doctor?"

She stares into nothing, having lost her eyesight within the past year. "Darling, the doctor came by when you were out." She holds her hand out and I grab it, her wrinkled, weathered hand cold from the air conditioning. "I was given a timeline. They don't-they don't think I will make it through the week. Apparently, my cancer has progressed past the point where they can help me. I don't want to give you thousands of medical bills once I'm gone."

"Maw-maw, you can't leave. I'm sure the doctors are just saying a worst-case scenario." The tears that have been threatening to spill since my talk with Alex begin to spill. "Please don't leave me."

I gasp through the tears, trying to regain some sort of composure. "My darling, we knew this was going to happen. This was an aggressive cancer and the doctors had a feeling it would come back; they didn't know when or how bad."

The chair skids as I quickly stand.

"I'm sorry, Maw-maw. I'll be back." I speed out of the room to the elevator, ignoring the calls of my grandmother to stay by her side.

The elevator is just as cold as the hospital room, which helps me to slightly conceal my tears from the other visitors leaving their loved ones.

When I get outside the hospital I walk as fast as I can to my car, quickly unlocking and getting in before finally breaking down. I lay my head on the steering wheel and finally release the flood of tears.

I'm not sure how long I'm there, crying into the faux leather before I feel my phone gently buzz in my back pocket. I pull it out to see a text from Alex: "Hey, I just wanted to see if you were ok."

If there were ever a time I believed in divine timing, it would be now. How was it that he knew exactly when to text me?

"Actually, I think I need someone right now. If you aren't busy, that is."

His reply was almost instantaneous. "I'm on my way. Where are you?"

"Saint Laziosi's in downtown."

"Give me twenty minutes." I give a quick sigh of relief, then curl into a ball in the driver's seat, resting my knees on the steering wheel. Hopefully Alex can help.