And When
By Wendiann
()
About this ebook
Stubborn independence is what her Canadian upbringing had taught her. To hide insecurity behind laughter and a smart-mouth...that, she’d inherited. After the divorce in her twenties, Jade Prency lived life on her terms, but the purchase of a home would mark the start of an unexpected, twisted journey.
When her doctor discovers her first tumor, she stumbles. Her hardships are nothing compared to the devastating news of her father’s diagnosis. Watching her hero wither, everything she ever believed changes. Lost in emotional turmoil, Jade withdraws from the world.
Feeling separate and alone, she reaches to an online community for understanding. Here she can hide her worn appearance safely behind a keyboard.
Building friendships, careful to avoid the men’s flirtations, she allows one man to become her strength across the miles. Her online family watch fascinated, as Brady Gibbs, the handsome American who held her hand through it all captures her heart.
Ready for a future with the one man she believed would keep her safe, life throws one more unexpected twist.
Online, where real becomes make-believe and make-believe becomes all too real.
Wendiann
I am a regular, everyday person, who sees herself as a realist and dreamer. The dreamer wants to write full time, the realist keeps me pushing at a day job. My dramatic fiction trilogy; 'And When, Now What and Who Knew', follows the life of a middle-aged woman, coping with unexpected twists and turns. Far from glamorous or perfect, she must find ways to navigate challenges of illness, grief, health, love, relationship and discover who she is, what she wants as she follows life. For Producers of Films/Television and Publishing houses to take note, they check # of sales and followers, not if it is a well written, great story that relates to audiences. Those with fame or who have contacts to those in the know, rise up the ranks as it is a numbers/money game. Indie's hope to gain enough likes on Facebook and Linked-In platforms, to receive thousands of reviews to stand a chance. Funny, the Harry Potter series was written by an unknown who for years was overlooked. It took one person taking a chance after reading the manuscript. That is what all Indies pray to emulate, all it takes is the right person to read their book. For me, hearing how my books make you feel is my reward. Good or bad, I love reviews as they help me be a better writer. The realist knows it's a one in a million shot and with working full time, what little time left at the end of the day is spent creating. Maybe someday that one person will read my work, who knows? I don't have time to worry about it, so instead I write because I simply love it. I've started two novels in different genres, a futuristic crime and a comedy. They are each half complete and I will keep at them as time allows. To readers who have taken the time; It's all up to you. If you want to leave a review, the more feedback, the more it pushes me to continue writing. It's like a burst of creative and inspiration for me. If you want to like my pages, I welcome your support. I am simply humbled and grateful you took the time to read my work. Thank you!
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And When - Wendiann
Prologue
Wrapped in a cocoon of blankets unable to breath, Jade battled to unwind her body, then bolted upright in bed. Wiping her sweat-matted hair, she whispered, Are you here? If it’s you, give me a sign.
She held her breath as if the voice would confirm its presence. The dream too vivid this time, not like the others, she waited for a signal.
Hearing nothing, she glanced at the clock then moved to the living room and curled on her loveseat to still her rattled nerves. Why?
The question echoed in the dark room.
After excitedly placing her suitcases at the door for tomorrows flight to New York, she’d stayed up writing. The departure five hours from now, her year of hard work would finally pay off. After signing the book contract, endless demands came and she’d complete each request and to end her nights, she began writing the novel that plagued her. As words danced to the page, tears flowed to exorcise the pain.
Stop it! Her mind lectured, the time is finally here, your time! Exhaling deeply, she closed her eyes to still her thoughts and relaxed against the cushions.
Footfalls echoed from the pavement as she walked across the empty parking lot. Reaching the stairway to the upper hotel rooms, her heartbeat sounded in her ears. Time slowed to a snail’s pace as she gripped the rail and climbed.
From the landing, one door stood open fifty feet away, the light from within slivered the darkness on the balcony. Knots formed in her stomach as she slowly moved towards it. Each breath sounded as her pulse drummed louder. Steeling her nerves at the threshold, a rumble started, as if the earth shook beneath her.
The light above the bed cast an eerie fluorescent glow, the signal it was time and a familiar coldness greeted her. Please no, her mind pleaded as she inched towards the mass covered with the linen. She reached for its hem and pulled the sheet down, the drumming in her ears, stopped.
His expression a story of pain, the empty pill bottle lay as evidence at his fingertips. Memories flooded, moments shared, the tears began.
You didn’t say goodbye,
her words barely a whisper.
Through her watery gaze, he appeared at the far side of the room.
I’m here still,
his voice soft, filled with warmth.
She looked down at the still body, then back to the figure, his smile peaceful.
I had no choice,
his words reverberated around the room.
Thoughts tumbled as she struggled to understand. He wasn’t taken, he left! The pounding began in her chest, the room spun, she gasped as pain seared through her.
Startled, she opened her eyes to find tears had started, that familiar ache returned. Jade rubbed angrily at her cheeks as she sat up.
Her cell on the coffee table taunted and she reached to wake the message screen. Gently touching his name, his words appeared as she scrolled through their history and emptiness enveloped her.
Why?
She whispered as his voice sounded in her memory.
This was crazy, he’s been gone for damn near fourteen months! Jade pressed the button and the screen blackened. She’d spent a year working her ass off and she’d be damned to let him make her feel sad. If only he could see her now. All the years telling her to fight for happiness had paid off.
The Art of Relocation
Chapter One
You can sit up,
Dr. Brennon said as he stepped back from the exam table and waited for her to settle again.
Jade slid the paper gown up over her chest, then turned to sit with the paper from the table now stuck to her behind.
It’d taken three years to find a physician accepting new patients and this was her first check-up. Unnerved, in walked a man with a chiseled jaw, perfect smile and eyes as blue as the summer sky. He didn’t look like any doctor she’d ever seen.
Her mind wandered as his fingers tapped, pressed and touched during the breast exam. Look at the ceiling, remember why you’re here, she told herself, but it was impossible to think straight.
You look tired, is there anything I should know?
His thighs an inch from her knees, his thumbs pressed at the front of her throat.
You should know you’re the first man to see my boobs in years, she thought to joke. I finished moving so I’m supposed to be tired.
Hearing her voice crackle, she cringed at sounding like a nervous twit. I got possession of my new home last Saturday and I’m trying to get organized.
Better, she thought.
What’s going on with your thyroid?
asked from inches away.
Maybe it’s tired too?
She’d tried for humor and wondered what it’s like for a young, educated man, to look at a forty-one-year-old hefty body. Don’t think there’s enough money in the world to do that job, the thought played as she watched his expressions.
I wonder if he thinks I’m attractive? She’d nearly laughed pondering that. Stop it, you’re being a dork! He’s a doctor. Squaring her wide shoulders to shake off the nerdy feeling only raised her generous chest underneath the flimsy paper gown. Oh great, now it looks like I’m pushing my boobs at him. Stop fidgeting!
When he turned to walk towards his computer, her shoulders slumped and she quickly adjusted, only to feel the paper from the table wedge uncomfortably between her cheeks. Barely fitting on the exam table was already embarrassing, this was simply too much.
Tall and more Amazonian with an hourglass figure, Jade never felt very feminine. Her long, dark auburn hair and coppery hazel eyes were the traits people usually commented on, yet every compliment sounded like an unfinished sentence. ‘You have the most beautiful hair and bedroom eyes,’ she’d mentally fill in the rest, ‘it’s too bad you’re big.’
Make sure to book another appointment for the pap and I’ll re-check your thyroid at that point,
Dr. Brennon reminded as he typed on the computer.
Oh, how she hated that smear. Relax, now slide down further, don’t tense, further down please, was like being a frog crunched to its tightest position before a leap. Its butt dipped down past the hip joints and just when you’d think you’ll fall off the table, the doctor appears between your legs like a miner going into a cave with a light strapped to his forehead.
It’ll be even worse with Dr. Wonderful doing one. How uncomfortable will that be? She pictured the future event and blushed.
After he left the room, she’d dressed, then scheduled an appointment with his receptionist for a month from now. Hurrying on her way, Jade thought about her to-do list on the drive back to her little house.
She’d sold her first home two years ago when her sister, Lisa, and her family, moved back to their city. The master plan was to sell and find a home in the same neighborhood, but the market sky-rocketed and she couldn’t afford the area. Jade decided to wait it out and moved in with a best friend, Eric.
That had been a mistake as the strangest of rules surfaced and it became a learning process. The dish soap to remain closed for fear it would dry on the spout and dishes needed to be placed in the dishwasher, precisely. There were many issues and thankfully she’d learned from a young age to bite her tongue at the little things. Having grown up in a small town with parents who drank had taught her to choose her battles wisely.
After the first year, they’d settled into routine and friends joked they were like an old married couple. The last six months however, they were like that old couple that should’ve never been. Things turned ugly with a daily angry dance on the remnants of their friendship. Tired of his criticisms and name calling, she’d rushed to buy the first suitable house.
Parking in her gravel driveway, next to the old garage that slanted to the right, she looked with a frown at what she now owned. The need to escape Eric’s had overruled an inspection, a decision she’d regretted. Walking in the back door, she was greeted with the foul air. Cursing the previous owner for leaving her dog locked in the basement for two days, Jade opened the windows to clear the stench.
From the kitchen, she peered through the wall cut-out into the living room which looked tiny with her over-sized furniture. For the next two hours, she shifted the pieces until the phone rang with a welcomed break.
What are you working on today?
Lisa asked.
The living room, but I still hate that ugly feature wall.
That yellowy gold color didn’t fit her style.
You have to find something to tie it all together in the room.
Like a new can of paint?
Jade asked with a chuckle.
How did it go at the doctor’s today? Is everything where it should be or is it all heading south?
Lisa snickered.
I was sitting in that stupid gown and in walked my new doctor who’s a fricken hotty! Man, it was uncomfortable. Why can’t he be a geek like every other doctor?
And he saw you naked? That poor man must be traumatized. He’ll probably tear up his license to practice,
Lisa jabbed.
He’s probably phoning his parents right now to thank them for putting him through medical school.
Uh huh, keep telling yourself that.
All three siblings had the genetic disposition from their father’s side of being a smart-ass. Her younger brother Jared, and Dane, her older, handicapped brother, all shared the offbeat sense of humor. Many cousins, aunts and uncles were the same, if there was a smart-mouth comment to be made, they’d find it.
Do you need me to help you with anything after work?
Lisa offered.
Nah, I’m just going to go through boxes. I gotta figure out where to put everything. This house has no storage. How much can I stuff into one tiny hall closet?
What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?
I rented a carpet cleaner, so I’ll head downstairs to get rid of the smell then maybe paint the bathroom.
At the end of her night, Jade reviewed her plan to tackle the repairs. The insulation for the attic was Wednesday’s project, the new window installation,
Thursday’s. With one week of holidays, she’d need to work steadily having spent her limited cash on the priorities. By the end of the day, she’d barely kept awake while showering, then collapsed exhausted into her sheets having made a small dent in the list.
Waking at eight fifteen, she instantly felt the effects of yesterday’s accomplishments. She stretched and mumbled a few colorful words as she stumbled to the kitchen. Half asleep, she rummaged through the cabinets for her coffee maker. Where the heck would that thing be?
Lisa had unpacked the kitchen, leaving her to guess where anything was. She pulled open all six cupboards in a desperate search. It’s not a big kitchen, so you’d figure that thing would jump out,
she grumbled.
Aggravated, she started to boil water, deciding to use the teapot she’d found. Where the heck are the filters? Oh, ya know!
said as she pulled open every cupboard again. Can this day start any rougher?
Hearing the kettle whistle, she gave up and settled on paper towel and began the slow process of filtering the coffee into the teapot. Water gushed ripping the paper towel and grounds fell in the mix. Taking that first sip, she let out a sigh, satisfied.
In her living room, she sat silently pondering life and why it wasn’t easier. Her situation forced her to get out fast but had stuck her with a ton of work simply to be free. Her bank account already drained, she felt stuck yet again. The doorbell sounded and she made her way to the back door.
Morning, I wasn’t sure if you’d be up,
her dad said.
Hiya Pops, what brings you here?
This wasn’t a coincidence as it took forty minutes to drive from his home in the country to her doorstep.
I was in the area and thought I’d stop by to see if you needed any help,
said with a grin.
I can always use help. Come on in and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee, kinda.
He sat at her kitchen table and watched her struggle with a fresh paper towel to make him a cup. When finished, she’d passed him a full cup.
Are you sure I can drink that? Maybe you should give me the spoon so I can chew on the grounds later.
He smiled mischievously.
Here you go then.
Jade smirked and passed him a spoon, the sugar and milk.
What do you want to tackle today?
I need to clean the poop carpet in the basement,
said with a grimace.
We’ll do it together.
At over six feet tall with a broad husky build and a serious expression, Pops could be intimidating at first sight, but was the complete opposite. Rarely one to express himself seriously, he always threw jokes into conversations. She emulated him, having his dark hair and strong character as part of her genetic make-up. His creative approach in problem-solving and great big heart hidden beneath their bulky exteriors was the same too.
He loved the quiet of the small hometown they grew up in, while she left at age seventeen. Life at home wasn’t easy and the isolation stifled her. Moving to the city, she’d found people were drawn to her and quickly became the person to talk to in difficult times for many. Having always landed on her feet, she’d managed to laugh and get through life no matter what.
Today, he walked slowly behind the carpet cleaner and looked happy to simply be here. Pops had worked from the age of thirteen until sixty-five, retiring two years ago. He was learning a different life, filling his time with home, yard work and today, poop carpets. He didn’t say a word about her dingy basement’s dark paneled walls or brown carpet, a far cry from the middle-class home she’d grown up in. Then again, her life had been different than his or anyone’s really.
Not finding a partner after her divorce in the eighties, with one paycheck and no children, Jade got by with being a flea market, garage sale queen. Life played out and she adjusted constantly to its ups and downs. She’d hoped someone would come along and see all she offered, but with time, a stubborn independence set in. She wouldn’t settle, so while she’d waited for her equal to appear, destiny guided her to here and now.
It looks and smells better,
her dad said as he shut off the machine.
I don’t think it looks any better and I can’t tell if the smell is gone, I’d need to go outside and fill my nose with fresh air. Next year I’ll re-do this room when I can afford it,
she said with a smile. It’s almost noon, why don’t we go upstairs and have lunch.
I’m not hungry, but how about a drink?
They sat at the kitchen table with the first drink of the day; rye for her dad and she, a beer.
I feel bad you’re working on my house when you should be traveling and enjoying retirement.
Who can afford to go on constant trips?
He said as he looked at her living room. I wouldn’t mind buying a house and having things to do. We’ve been in the same house all our lives. Maybe it’s time we move to the city. I can see living in a house like this.
She’d heard that before. Are you coming tomorrow with the truck to pick up the windows and insulation? Greg is coming to give me a hand in the attic,
she stated with a smirk, knowing there’s no way he’d miss out on a project.
I’ll be here. It’s been a long time since I did any insulating though, but I’ll give it a try.
He smiled, happy to be included. I’d best be going and see what your mother’s up to.
Finishing his drink, he stood to leave.
Thanks for the help, Pops. Are you sure you want to help? There’s no telling what we’ll find in the attic.
I’ll be here.
He smiled warmly and walked out the door.
Reviewing the list of chores on the fridge, she’d decided to call Greg to make sure he’d be ready tomorrow. Although a close friend, his partying lifestyle made him the most unreliable person. This time she had the hook he couldn’t resist; she’d pay him cash for his time.
Jade could always figure out what made people tick and knew too much about too many. Having a knack of putting different spins on situations, there was never one option, but a multitude of paths that led to many outcomes. Great at seeing through the ‘what-if’ game, helped her be a good friend, yet she’d stumble applying those principles to herself.
The rest of her day was going through boxes. Each one opened made it feel like Christmas, having forgotten the many possessions left in storage for two years. Her friends phoned to check her progress and she’d reiterate her trials.
Late afternoon, she opened her door to find Lucky, Tom and Eric standing on her doorstep. Instantly the anger of the past six months of Eric’s hurtful behavior came to the forefront. Keeping her façade in place, she smiled to mask the discomfort.
Hi guys, come on in.
I laughed so hard when you told me what you went through to have a cup of coffee, we decided a coffee maker was the perfect housewarming gift,
Lucky said passing Jade a new machine.
You didn’t have to do that, I’m sure I’ll find that thing somewhere.
This one even has a timer. Your coffee will be ready when you wake up,
Tom said with a smile.
Thank you, that’s so thoughtful.
Come in and I’ll get us some beers.
The visit lasted an hour and when they left, she closed the door behind them. Well that was uncomfortable,
said aloud as she walked through the kitchen. Eric had been quiet, barely a word left his mouth. It must’ve been too hard for him to say I’m sorry for being a jerk, the thoughts play as she continued with her home.
Over the weeks, she’d added gravel to the driveway, planted shrubs, and built a shed for the yard tools. Always busy with one thing or another, friends dropped by to see her progress and at times, it turned into an evening of drinks as several showed at the same time. More and more it felt like home with being able to entertain again.
The month had passed when she woke Thursday to the X with 9:00 a.m. marked on the calendar for the pap she’d dreaded. As she showered, she pictured the inevitable and hoped she didn’t turn into a total dork. She’d say nothing and save tripping over her tongue altogether. Dressed, she headed out, resolve in place.
What’s going on in your life? You still look tired.
Dr. Brennon pressed on her neck.
Sitting in the flimsy paper gown buck naked underneath, her nerves were on edge.
I’m still working on the house and work causes stress. I can’t sleep sometimes even though I’m beat. Kinda like my mind keeps going. I did manage to lose a few pounds though,
the words rattled out fast and she silently kicked herself for sounding like an idiot.
We’ll do your pap today, but if anything changes, come see me again.
Tired is normal with busting her butt. He’d only met her a month ago, so how would he know what normal was? She silently questioned.
I want to keep an eye on your thyroid, it seems slightly bigger,
he advised as he sat on the swivel stool and put the miner cap on his forehead. We’ll take a blood sample to check things.
Her hand went to the base of her throat. What the hell is a thyroid? Great, even that’s fat,
she mumbled.
What’s that?
Dr. Brennon asked as he extended the metal footholds on each side of the table.
I guess that’s that.
Alright, put your feet in the stirrups.
Leaving his office bright red in the face after her favorite frog test, she’d only half listened to what he’d said about her thyroid. She focused on small talk he offered as he checked her wazoo.
Jumping the Hurdles
Chapter Two
September long weekend her family gathered on her sister’s patio in celebration of Lisa’s birthday when the usual joking was interrupted.
We’ve decided to sell our house and move into Jade’s basement until we find a home in the city,
their dad announced.
When did you decide this?
Lisa asked, then looked at Jade.
It’s time for a change. You both live in the city and it’d be nice to move closer,
he explained. But it may take some time to find the right place.
Jade thought about her basement and how she couldn’t let them live down there as they were used to nice surroundings.
Uh, when are you putting your house on the market, exactly?
She stammered, hoping to hear next spring.
We’ve phoned an agent and the sign goes up next week,
her mom announced. That is, if we can move into your basement until we find a house?
Uh, sure, that’d be fine,
Jade managed, not knowing what else to say. Looking at Lisa, this was obviously something she hadn’t expected to hear either.
For thirty years their Pops had mentioned many times that he’d like to sell and move. It was always one dream or another; operating a fishing lodge or moving to the east coast, they couldn’t keep track of the number of dreams not followed. With a for sale sign going up, it might happen this time. She’d renovate and not tell them. Her friends would help, but with shit for savings, she’d have to find a cheap way, her brain on fast forward.
What are you doing next Saturday?
She hesitantly asked Eric the next day, swallowing her pride with needing help.
Why?
Tomorrow, I’m going to tear down the walls in the basement and next weekend, I need a crew to help me re-build since my parents are moving in.
What? Why are they moving in?
Hearing the news, he’d agreed to give her a hand then she called others who’d said they’d pitch in. If they’d sold today, it could happen in as little as two months, so if she had to do most of the work, she would.
Bright and early the next morning, she called Eric to borrow a larger sledgehammer and crowbar.
I thought you were going to start this next weekend?
He sounded put off.
No, I said I’d take down the walls myself today, next weekend is the build.
She held her breath and waited for the answer.
You’re crazy, can’t you wait?
Okay, don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to you later.
She hung up, aggravated.
Fifteen minutes later, he stood at her door with both tools in hand. When she reached to retrieve them, he pushed her aside and walked downstairs. His mood warned not to say anything as he prowled around the main area as she briefly described what she’d wanted. At the edge of the center wall, he bounced up and down, the sub-floor bending under his weight.
What the fuck is this?
A rotted floor maybe,
said sarcastically, his mood rubbing off.
Using the crowbar, he hooked the edge of the carpet and tore it several feet away. Jade grabbed the edge and pulled to heap the ugly rug in the center of the room. With the plywood exposed, Eric ripped open a joint and lifted a sheet. For fuck sakes!
he barked as she moved in for a closer look and what she saw made her breath catch.
Look at the fucking mold, it’s everywhere!
he’d said as he pulled up more sections. We have to get this out of here. Call everyone, we’re going to need help. I’ll go home to get masks and gloves.
She followed him upstairs wondering how the hell people could live like this. The dog was bad enough, did they cover this up too? Trying to comprehend, she dialed her friends. Lucky and Tom responded to her plea, but unable to reach anyone else, she grudgingly called her parents to ask if they’d could come later to prepare dinner to feed her crew.
With Eric gone, Jade went down to inspect the nightmare. Huge cauliflower-shaped growths, some black, others white or gray in color in a path three feet wide path narrowing to inches at the outer wall. She stared at the thick fungus. What else could go wrong with this place? After a trip outside to retrieve a shovel, she started to scrape the mold into a garbage bag, cursing up until her friends appeared downstairs.
You shouldn’t be doing that without protection. Let’s wait until Eric gets back.
Tom herded them upstairs. That shit may be toxic. I’ve never seen such big chunks of mold.
When back, Eric handed out masks and gloves to the small demolition crew, delegating. Put the wood by the garage, far away from the back door. Only half the basement has mold, but it all needs to come out. Tom and I will cut the sub-floor, you two run the pieces out.
Hearing nothing was salvageable, the dollar signs began to add in Jade’s head. Frustrated, anger fueled her to run up and down the stairs to form the garbage heap. Out of breath and flushed red in the face, her parents arrived and of course Pops wanted to help. Giving him cash, she’d asked they buy hot dogs and buns, then prepare dinner, not wanting to expose him to the hazard. They left and she resumed working. He came downstairs several times to check on them.
Once the wood was up and gone, Jade dumped a bottle of bleach over the cement and left the room to join the tired crew outside at the picnic table. Damn house! She’d hadn’t been here two months even. It’s never going to stop falling apart.
After dinner, everyone gone, she made a trip to the store to buy three gallons of bleach, a spray bottle, then scrubbed every inch of the basement. At two in the morning with her nose burning, she called it quits, showered, then crawled into bed. Gone was the stench of dog poop, replaced by a sickening chlorine smell.
Over the next weeks during evenings, she worked on her own and on weekends, friends and family pitched in. With the framing and drywall complete, her friend Chris installed a garage sale carpet she’d found, then Lisa painted. By end of November it was finished. It wasn’t perfect, but it was ready for her parents when they’d sold.
Many sleepless nights had plagued raking over plans to ensure everything got done. Her weight fluctuated with not eating properly. In no hurry to start any other project, she took time to relax and settled into normal life.
While watching television at end of November, she moved a loose hair tickling her neck and felt a lump. Going to her bathroom mirror, she raised and twisted her head to see a circle the size of a dime. From work the next day she called the doctor’s office and explained the situation and was given his next available appointment.
That’s three weeks away!
she said to Monique, her coworker, as she pointed out the strange bump. That’s the earliest they could fit me in.
What the heck is going on with you? First your weight goes up and down, now this thing is sticking out of ya.
Monique, a strong-willed, tell-it-like-it-is personality, measured the lump and it grew like a rotten weed over the next three weeks. She checked its progress as Jade couldn’t see without lifting her neck. Both worried since the boss, a horse’s ass, would frown upon a health problem, but her supervisor Tony, a funny, kind-hearted man, assured he’d cover for her.
She slept little and the smallest of chores became burdens. Shoveling the snow took twice as long with needing to stop and catch her breath. As she brought in groceries or took out the trash, her heartbeat raced. Slowly, dark circles appeared under her eyes as testimony to her lack of sleep, her voice began to crackle, like a tickle that wouldn’t stop. By the time the appointment arrived, the tiny lump was the size of an egg and protruding from her neck.
I hear you’re having problems.
Dr. Brennon started. Wow, I can’t believe how big this got. When did you notice the change?
I noticed the day I called for the appointment when it was the size of a dime. I waited three weeks and it ballooned to this!
It’s spreading to this side.
He probed the left side of her neck and she began to hack.
Don’t press. It kinda chokes me when you do.
I have to see where this thing starts and ends.
He pressed again to get the same reaction. What symptoms have you been experiencing?
My heart races for no reason and I’m not sleeping. I feel tired all the time.
Her raspy voice evident, along with the dark circles, the doctor kept his demeanor professional, but Jade read concern in his eyes. What is it? Just say what you think.
I don’t know, but we need to find out. I’m going to send you to a specialist.
What?
This could be a number of things and until we know for sure, we’re not going to guess. We’ll do a blood work up here, but we may need a biopsy.
I want to know the possibilities, why it ballooned up and the word biopsy usually means testing cancer and…
Okay,
he cut her off. We’re definitely testing you for everything. You’ll go to the lab today, but I want a specialist to have a look. We’ll figure this out by going through things one at a time.
Why did you say you think I’ll need a biopsy?
Growths that are cancerous tend to grow at a rapid pace, but lumps can appear for no reason, it’s quite common.
Driving home, she worried at how long she’d have to wait. At least she’d noticed it and got it checked. That’s what the commercials say about finding lumps. Since her friend’s breast cancer diagnosis, Jade checked herself regularly, but never checked elsewhere. With the medical system slow, she’d felt it’d be months before she got in. Once home she dialed her sister.
What?
Lisa said after hearing. Okay, he said it’s probably nothing, so don’t worry until we know.
I wanted to let you know what’s happening. We’ll wait and see what they say.
When she dialed her parents’, she was prepared. Talking to her folks about important things was never easy.
Hi, did I interrupt anything?
No, we we’re watching television. What did the doctor say about your neck?
her mom asked.
He’s arranging to see a specialist, but said these things are quite common.
Push to see them right away. Demand answers. Tell the doctors you need to know. Dad’s been having troubles with a sore shoulder for the past month and he’s pushing to get answers.
Mom, there’s no pushing or demanding. I have to wait until I’m scheduled and knowing the system it’ll be a while.
Nightmare of Needles
Chapter Three
On the date of the appointment, Jade hesitantly walked into the doctor’s office. It had been scheduled fast, three weeks after meeting with Dr. Brennon, which left her uneasy. The lady doctor seemed rushed as they went through questions and answers, poking and prodding, and the grand finale would be a scope. Dr. Vittor explained that a long narrow tube with a camera on the end would be inserted down her throat or up her nose to get a clear view of the growths.
I’m not so good at down the throat. I have a bad gag reflex and I’ll barf at the first attempt,
Jade admitted, feeling queasy thinking about it.
We’ll try the throat first and see how you do. If that doesn’t work, we’ll go through the nostril.
Going through a nostril seemed gross, so she tried to relax. As the camera reached the back, the gagging started. Sorry,
she said in apology as her eyes watered.
Frustrated, the doctor grabbed a spray bottle. This will taste bad even though its banana flavored. Which nostril feels clearer?
Getting over a cold, Jade sniffed. The right.
This will sting, but it will freeze the interior to get the scope in.
The doctor pressed the button on the nozzle.
The